Halloween Healthy Treats

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by: Tyler Morris
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Word Count: 671
Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2010 Time: 5:01 PM
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Halloween, as with all family and calendar holidays, is a great chance to have some fun and celebrate with friends and family - dressing up, scaring each other silly, perhaps having a party - but definitely enjoying some spookily themed food and drinks. Of course with the date in Winter, it's only natural that we are all seeking comfort foods to keep us warm and full in the cold months - so it's no surprise that traditional Halloween treats tend to be a little heavy on the fat and calorie front! Not a problem if you are a fit, active sort and keeping your treats as occasional enjoyments, but for the rest of us, it's worth doing a little tweaking of your celebration menu to get the most out of it and avoid putting on extra pounds before the Christmas festive season begins!

Avoid Ready Made - Get Back Into The Kitchen!

Ready made convenience foods tend to be high in fat, sugar, colourings and other. Rather than send your family additive-crazy with brightly coloured and synthetic cakes and snacks, why not have some fun getting into the kitchen and creating a healthy, tasty and enjoyable menu between you all - after all cooking should be a social and pleasurable experience before the actual eating and there are plenty of options to get the kids involved too.

Get Your Colours The Natural Way!

Halloween oranges, ghoulish greens, blood reds - you don't need artificial colours to make a festive statement! Instead of throwing away the pumpkin within your jack 'o lanterns, why not make a healthy yet delicious and warming soup by blending up the pumpkin flesh, some spices and a tasty vegetable stock. Thicken with a little cream or creme fraiche, or try using coconut milk for an exotic flavour. Brightly coloured and packed with vitamins and nutrients, this soup will warm and nourish you. Try as well brightly coloured crudites with delicious dips - humous, sour cream, guacamole - even high calorie treats can be enjoyed when paired with crunchy carrot sticks, bright pepper batons and crunchy baby corn cobs. Baked potatoes are also a great food for the cold Halloween season - try filling with cheese and spring onion and baking in tin foil or on an outdoor barbeque - wrap up warm and get everyone outside for a winter feast and some festive hot spiced punch with fruit chunks and cinnamon.

New Twists On Old Favourites

Mini pizzas are also a kid's favourite - try making your own with a part white, part wholemeal base for extra fibre and pack the topping with vegetables and light mozzarella. Chicken drumsticks are also tasty - try a ghoulish sticky glaze and remove the skin to reduce the fat content dramatically. Cooking methods are also important - try grilling, baking or steaming foods - otherwise stir-frying in a wok with a little healthy oil, or baking in an oven with a drizzle of olive oil is far better than frying foods.

For your sweets, think about natural sugars and sustaining energy release. Flapjacks are ideal for this - oats raise the blood sugar gently and steadily and teamed with natural raisins and honey, they make a healthy treat. Try old fashioned toffee apples too - admittedly very sweet on the teeth, but a great way of getting fruit down children! For the adults how about baked bananas with a fruit compote or chocolate drizzle and creme fraiche - or fruit kebabs?

Let Your Imagination Run Wild!

These are just a few ideas to get you started - and all of them are easy to make and cheap too. You will be amazed at how much money you will save buying good quality ingredients in their natural form from a local market, than ready-made at the supermarket. Get everyone active on the day too - Halloween games and walks in the park are ideal for getting everyone moving and having fun whilst getting fit - ideal for a Halloween to remember!

About the Author

Tyler Morris writes for National Friendly who offer over 50 life plan.