How to dole out healthy Halloween treats

This year, why not offer your trick-or-treaters something that's actually good for them? I brainstormed with our Sensory Group Manager Maxine Siegel and Foods Senior Project Leader Ellen Klosz to come up with some alternative treats. Many of these are available in single-serving sizes, and you may even find them with Halloween packaging. Here are some goodies to consider:

• Fruit snacks: Look at the label before you buy. Some are no better than eating candy. You want the ones with real fruit. Consumer Reports tested nine fruit snacks and found good nutritional choices in three.
• Raisins: A real fruit snack offering real vitamins. Enough said.
• Pretzels: They contain salt and carbohydrates, but many versions of this treat have no fat.
• Popcorn: It may be high in salt and fat, but it’s better than candy because it offers some fiber.
• Cereal bars: Look at the nutrition label and opt for the lower-fat and lower-sugar versions.
• Animal crackers, cheese crackers, and cereal all come in individual serving sizes; some offer lower-fat, reduced-fat, or lower-sugar versions.

And if all else fails, try giving out stickers or pencils.

—Jamie Schaefer-Wilson, author, "The Consumer Reports Guide to Childproofing and Safety"

Check out our Halloween safety tips on our Cars blog.

Comments

[low cost health insurance]

We noticed a substantial drop in the number of families celebrating Halloween in our area. It was not only the decorations that were fewer, but the number of kids out and about too. I wonder if Halloween is a dying event.

[Cornell]

This information came out so late that it's useless. This article came out on October 31st -- Halloween. Most (all?) people have already bought the treats to be given out.