Halloween Candy Alternatives

by Nadia Harper

Here in North America, Halloween is a big deal for many.

The biggest tradition is 'trick or treating' which involves children dressing up in costumes and going from one house to the next collecting candy from each home.

Candy candy candy ... is a huge part of Halloween here.

This tradition of 'trick or treating' is more cultural than historical, I am sure. And is very commercialized.

The stores around here, for weeks (and sometimes months) before Hallowe'en sell candy specially made to be given out to kids on Halloween night.

So what do I, as a Holistic Nutritionist and Health Advisor, think about this candy-filled tradition?

Well my answer may surprise you as I tell you that I am not against the whole idea. I grew up with this tradition and, quite frankly it is a lot of fun.

As a child, it is exciting and exhilarating to dress up in a costume and run around the neighbourhood collecting sweet tasting and fun treasures. As an adult, it is also fun to watch a continual stream of costumed little ones parade past your door.

All of that being said, I will now say this;

I am a huge proponent of balance. If you and your children eat healthy almost all the time, then is splurging on some candy at Hallowe'en a big deal? Probably not.

If there is balance most of the time in what we eat and do (ie diet and lifestyle) then indulging every once in a while is not only okay, it is healthy!

But, unfortunately much of the population don't eat very healthy on a day to day basis and the influx of candy on Oct 31st only exaggerates health problems that may already exist.

It is up to parents to monitor what their children collect and how much they eat at any given time.

What I want to do in this blog post is, not condemn candy-giving but, just provide some other alternatives to those that would like to offer something other than candy.

As a child, I liked getting candy but I also liked when I would find toys, games and other non-candy items in my bag.

Give out candy if you want and if you want to give out something else, here are some ideas; (got a good idea that I missed? Please add it in the comments section below)

• yo-yos
  
• toy cars
  
• fancy rocks
  
• little decks of cards
  
• fruit leathers
  
• little games/toys
  
• mini bubbles
  
• mini play-doh
  
• jump ropes
  
• chalk
  
• crayons
  
• stickers
  
• temporary tattoos
  
• raisins or other dried fruit
  
• natural candies and natural chocolate treats
  
• gift certificates to mini-putt places, movie theaters, etc.
  
• keychains
  
• costume jewelry
  
• comic books
  
• pencils, fun coloured ones
  
• glow sticks
  
• juice boxes (natural, organic)
  
• bottles of water
  
• granola bars
  
• little animals
  
• action figures
  
• cups designed with newest trend
  
• pencil boxes
  
• tiny flashlights
  
• dental floss/toothbrushes
  
• money
  
• honey sticks
  
• silly bandz
  
• fancy erasers
  
• pencil toppers
  
• bouncy balls
  
• silly putty or 'slime'
  
• mini magnifying glasses
  

And don't forget that trick or treating isn't mandatory. If you want to do something different then plan a fun evening at home, making everyone's absolute favourite things to eat and engaging in activities that your kids love to do. Or even better, get together with other families and plan a great evening.

Always remember the essence behind what you are doing. Halloween is supposed to be fun for children, allow them to have a good time.

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!!!

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