Practicing good nutrition on Halloween

Halloween is a fun holiday for the entire family for many reasons. You can dress up, get cozy and watch a scary movie, and enjoy some delicious seasonal candy and treats. 

But for those who have difficulty practicing healthy nutrition, or those with diabetes, it can be difficult. 

Here are a few tips for having fun and staying healthy this Halloween:

Allow yourself to have a piece of candy or two. It's a holiday, after all! Choose candy that is lower in sugar like: fun size milk chocolate M&Ms, York peppermint patties or dark chocolate peanut butter cups. 

Make a plan to exercise, whether it's going to the gym during the day or walking the trick-or-treat route with kids.

Have a healthy lunch or snack before the festivities start! Eating a balanced lunch or snack can help keep you full longer so you don’t binge on candy while passing it out to the kiddos.

Plan dinner ahead of time. By starting dinner in the morning with a slow cooker or having ingredients on-hand for a quick dinner when you get home from trick-or-treating you can make healthier choices. Not sure what to make? This sweet potato turkey chili is a great option or you may find other ideas here.

If you’re planning to stay in and have a casual Halloween party, then you may want to consider some healthy appetizer options. 

Making scary-good chocolate banana ghosts is a great option for a fruit-cuterie board. Another idea is to make chocolate nut butter date “mummies.” These are simple to make by removing the pits from dates, filling them with your choice of nut butter and then drizzling some melted dark chocolate over the top. Pop them in the freezer and pull them out when you want a sweet snack.