Children have so much fun on Halloween — dressing up in costumes and going treat or tricking for all the candies. That said, parents should pay more attention to what their children collect in their candy baskets.
The real evil: candies
Excessive sugar intake leads to obesity and tooth decay, while food coloring used in those cute, brightly colored gummy bears may pose a risk for attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) in children.1
A team from ADHD Research Center in the Netherlands concluded that more than 60% of children diagnosed with ADHD were hypersensitive towards certain processed foods.2
Healthier, safer alternatives
Parents can shake off those Halloween jitters by making healthy snacks for kids and switching to healthier ingredients such as nuts and seeds. Here are a few fun Halloween snack recipes that you can try at home. They are also excellent treats for school parties.
Raw Witches' Fingers3
Ingredients
- 2 dates, chopped with pits removed + 1 tablespoon of water
- 1/3 cup raw walnuts
- 1/3 cup raw almonds
- 1/3 cup raw cashews
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
- 4 raw almonds, sliced in half
Steps
- In a food processor, blend dates and water until a rough paste is formed.
- Add nuts and cacao. Blend until a dough forms.
- Using 1 tablespoon of dough, form into finger shapes with hands.
- Place almond slice at the tip for fingernail.
- Chill for 15 minutes or devour immediately.
Raw Peanut Butter Cups3
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw peanut butter
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 4 tablespoons agave or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Raw chocolate (in melted form)
- Peanut butter cup candy mold (medium-sized)
Steps
- Combine nut butter, coconut oil, agave, and vanilla together until well mixed.
- Pour into mold. Freeze for 20 minutes.
- Remove from mold gently and dip each nut butter cup into the raw chocolate until fully coated.
- Allow to set either on the counter or freeze them.
- Add Halloween-themed frostings and fondant figures for more fun
Forget about packaged candies. Adults and children alike will love these healthy homemade Halloween treats!