To Trick or to Treat?

Halloween is coming. That season of ghastly ghouls, wicked witches, fairy princesses and so many inventive dress-up characters. For increasing numbers of folks it also comes with a dilemma. All that candy. All those preservatives, artificial colors, high fructose corn syrup, chemicals, and sugar, sugar, sugar. None of which are recommended much less in the quantities consumed during this time of year.

In decades past people might give out apples for the trick-or-treaters or a homemade cookie or freshly popped popcorn. Unfortunately this is not an acceptable choice anymore due to the possibility of tampering. While it is sad to think that someone would tamper with something as simple as an apple given to a child it has happened and now most people simply buy their candy of choice and hand that out at the door.

If you want to give something different to the ravening hordes here are a few suggestions for treats that are slightly higher on the health-o-meter than a candy bar. These suggestions vary widely in price so you'll need to anticipate how many treat-or-treaters you'll have at your door and set your budget accordingly.

1. Juice boxes - look for 100% juice with no added sugar, preservatives or colors
2. Raisins - cellophane wrapped snack packs make a tasty treat
3. Fruit leather - look for all natural 100% fruit, no added colors, sugar or chemical preservatives
4. Trail mix or nuts - in snack packets, look for no added sugar or chemical preservatives; the best option is raw and unsalted
5. Granola bars - many of these are actually thinly disguised candy bars, look for no HFCS, artificial colors or chemical preservatives
6. Pretzels or baked chips - in snack packets, look for no artificial preservatives or colors
7. Popcorn - in microwave bags, look for organic popcorn that is diacetyl and PFOA free (these are possibly carcinogenic chemicals in the bag that you don't want to eat)
8. Glow sticks - fun for the kids and helps light them up for safety; these come in bracelets, sticks, and necklaces in a variety of colors
9. Toys - Halloween themed hacky-sacks, yoyo's, bouncy balls, pencils, stickers and similar items are easily available; remember to give age appropriate toys if you have very young trick-or-treaters
10. Applesauce - snack pack sizes, look for no HFCS or added sugar

Source:
Chicago Dental Society, 2003