Halloween Candy Alternatives: Top 5 Healthy Options

With the US in a health crisis of obesity, the last thing our children need is to load up on tons of candy at Halloween. Candy and chocolate are high in fat and calories, and all that sugar puts our kids' teeth in danger. What's a parent to do in a scary situation like this? Don't fret - trick or treating can still be fun with these healthy alternatives to Halloween candy.

1) Prepackaged dried fruit - Individual sized packs of dried fruit make a delicious treat for all the little monsters at your door. These days, we have choices beyond the familiar little red boxes of raisins - dried apples, pears, cherries; almost any fruit you can imagine. Low in fat and calories but still sweet and delicious, dried fruit is a perfect alternative to Halloween candy. Online, you can try Brother's Fruit Crisps - they have dried fruit in fun packaging with popular Disney characters. .

2) Sugar-free Gum - Not only is sugar-free gum a good Halloween candy alternative, it can help prevent cavities caused by the sugar in other candy. Chewing sugar-free gum is a good way to help remove sticky sugar from teeth and if chewed 20 minutes after eating other foods, actually helps make teeth more cavity-resistant.

3) Pretzels - Pretzels are a great low-fat alternative to Halloween candy. Available in a variety of shapes and flavors, kids love them. Snyder's of Hanover has them available in 100 calorie packs - the perfect size for snacking and for dropping into little Frankenstein's candy bag.

4) Halloween party favors - If you'd rather not give out food items at all, dollar stores and online discount sites sell bulk party favors that make fun and inexpensive alternatives to Halloween candy. Online, try Oriental Traders for favors like fun jack o'lanterns with a small surprise toy inside. Other options might be plastic vampire teeth or glitter Halloween tattoos.

5) Mini Glow Sticks - Also available at discount stores and online, this is the candy alternative that could save someone's life on Halloween night. Trick or treaters aren't always visible to cars, but a glow stick hanging from their costume helps bring them to drivers' attention. Check out Glowproducts.com for economical mini glow sticks and other popular glow products.

So there you have it - Halloween treats don't have to be scary! With a little imagination, there are plenty of alternatives to sugary candy for all your little trick or treaters.

Source: The oral health advantages of chewing sugarfree gum, WrigleyDentalCare.com