Written by: Jessica Kurosaki, Le Puree Dietitian
Halloween is all about costumes, excitement, and- let’s be honest - lots of lollies! But with a little planning, you can make sure your little goblins and ghosts have just as much fun without bouncing off the walls from a sugar overload. Here are some super easy, playful ways to keep Halloween a bit healthier this year!
Consider their age, and choose a sugar allowance (or alternatives)
Noting the festivities of Halloween, have a think beforehand about what an acceptable sugar intake is. For teenagers, sugar isn’t new for them, whereas for bubs under 12 months, some will never have had sugar before (nor do they need it!).
Consider these options to bring with you for their trick or treating fun!
- A bowl of fruit
- Dehydrated mangoes (where the only ingredient on the packet is fruit)
- ‘All fruit’ Fruit straps
- Yoghurt pouch
- Two Fruit cups
- Sultanas
- An individual packet of Bamba, or grain puff
- Roasted chickpeas or fava beans
Pack a water bottle, and say no to juice or soft drinks 💧
Between running from house to house, excitement is bound to get those kiddos thirsty. Instead of sugary drinks or juice, pack a bottle of water for each of them. It's refreshing, keeps them hydrated and keeps sugar intake at bay. Plus, no sticky fingers!
Fill their tummies beforehand 🥕
Before your little pumpkins head out, make sure they eat something filling. A hearty snack or light dinner (Think falafels, sweet potato rostis or Moroccan lamb rolls on the go) to keep their bellies satisfied. This helps curb the desire to jump face first into the lollies they’re picking up, and actually enjoy the trick-or-treating fun!
Pack a protein based snack
Lollies are neither nutritious nor filling. If you’ll be indulging your bubs in a little extra sugar, make sure you pack a portable, protein-rich snack. This could be a hard boiled egg, chicken & spinach meatballs or lamb kaftas. Packing some slow acting carbohydrate which they can pick at might just set you up for success! Things as simple as wholemeal pasta with cheese or even a multigrain slice of toast!
Set lolly boundaries ahead of time 🍭
For the older kiddos, have a conversation before you head out about what they can expect from the night. Explain the sense of overwhelm they might feel, and also set the boundaries of how many lollies they can have on the night. This is a totally personal choice for your family, but having an expectation before they’re faced with a bowl of sugar is the best option to manage a sugar-induced meltdown later!!
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With these simple tricks up your sleeve, you can help your little ones enjoy a fun and healthy Halloween without taking away any of the magic!
