Trick-or-treating is near, autumn is in full swing, and the holidays are right around the corner. Perhaps you’ll be feeling the need for a sugar reset after an indulgent Halloween, and we’re here to help! There is nothing wrong with the occasional indulgence, but trick-or-treaters often bring home so much candy that it’s sometimes unwise to keep it laying around the house within easy access. Here are a handful of tips for putting a healthy spin on leftover Halloween candy:
Trail Mix
Make a big batch of trail mix for all your fall activities! Mix pretzels, peanuts, cashews, almonds, and dried fruit with leftover chocolate candies (M&Ms, peanut butter cups, Hershey’s kisses). The sugar will be subdued by the healthier components of the mix. Store in large ziplock baggies and use as a grab-and-go snack for soccer games and nature hikes this fall!
Bake Cookies
Whip up a big batch of cookies that utilizes leftover candy, from peanut butter cups to candy corn. As a family, drop the cookies off at a local organization that you care about to thank them for all that they do for your community. You can even freeze a batch of the cookies to enjoy later!
Trade It In
Did you know many dental offices will trade Halloween candy for toothbrushes, coupons, cash, or other fun prizes for your children? It’s a great incentive to get some candy out of the house! Visit www.halloweencandybuyback.com to search for buy-back programs by zip code.
Chop & Freeze
Candy sitting around your house in buckets will just cause everyone to reach for it too often. Instead, put the candy out of sight and out of mind in the freezer! Chop the pieces up into smaller bits and freeze in plastic bags. Then, grab them for special occasions through the holidays to mix into milkshakes, use with ice cream sundaes, or to dress up hot cocoa on a snowy day. Use sparingly and carefully – and enjoy!
Candy in small doses is fun and harmless, but many children and families overdo it around Halloween. Your proactive approach to minimizing sugar intake will help your family to regulate after a holiday. We hope these tips will help you on your journey to making step-by-step wise choices for the health of you and your family.