Dina Aziz
Editor '18
As much fun as Halloween is, the consumption of superfluous amounts of candy that kids pile up in their garbage bags after a night of trick-or-treating is largely unhealthy. While kids love to dress in costumes and cause mischief, the tremendous amount of unhealthy calories consumed is alarming.
It is important to choose appropriate portions and to remember that the extra bites add up. It takes an extra of only 100 calories a day than the typical intake to gain 10 pounds in a year. High calorie candies include: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, 110 calories per cup, Peanut M&M’s, 90 calories per fun size bag, and Butterfingers, 85 calories per fun size bar.
Purchase candy the day of Halloween to avoid temptation. Purchase candy that you may not particularly to avoid temptation. Buy less candy than needed to prevent leftovers. There are also non candy gifts that can be given to trick-or-treaters such as pencils, erasers, bouncy balls, and spider rings. Do not forget to eat a healthy dinner before spending an evening trick or treating as to not binge on a bag of candy upon returning home. Try to replace high calorie candies with healthier dark chocolate versions or low calorie treats. Also, avoid portion distortion by being aware of the size of the candies chosen. Buy fun size bars rather than full size bars.
The Whole Foods Market has many healthy Halloween meals, drinks, and desserts. Also, they have diverse and unique recipes on their blog. Warm and hearty comfort foods include creamy Butternut Squash Soup, vegan Winter Vegetable Soup, or the crowd-pleasing Bison Chili. Green smoothies or as you may like to call that night: “Scary Smoothies” include the Double Green Smoothie and Get your Greens Smoothie.
Put a healthy spin on Halloween! Offer some of the healthy treats the Whole Foods Market recommends for after the holiday feast: the surprisingly healthy Chocolate Mousse, the seasonally appropriate Pumpkin Pecan Cookies, and the perennial favorite Fresh Take on Apple Pie are all popular.
It is easy to get an excess amount of calories for some candies. However, Halloween is only once a year so there is no need to feel guilty, getting back on track by cooking a nutritious meal or going for a run. Lastly, celebrate and enjoy the holiday without overindulging!
Editor '18
As much fun as Halloween is, the consumption of superfluous amounts of candy that kids pile up in their garbage bags after a night of trick-or-treating is largely unhealthy. While kids love to dress in costumes and cause mischief, the tremendous amount of unhealthy calories consumed is alarming.
It is important to choose appropriate portions and to remember that the extra bites add up. It takes an extra of only 100 calories a day than the typical intake to gain 10 pounds in a year. High calorie candies include: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, 110 calories per cup, Peanut M&M’s, 90 calories per fun size bag, and Butterfingers, 85 calories per fun size bar.
Purchase candy the day of Halloween to avoid temptation. Purchase candy that you may not particularly to avoid temptation. Buy less candy than needed to prevent leftovers. There are also non candy gifts that can be given to trick-or-treaters such as pencils, erasers, bouncy balls, and spider rings. Do not forget to eat a healthy dinner before spending an evening trick or treating as to not binge on a bag of candy upon returning home. Try to replace high calorie candies with healthier dark chocolate versions or low calorie treats. Also, avoid portion distortion by being aware of the size of the candies chosen. Buy fun size bars rather than full size bars.
The Whole Foods Market has many healthy Halloween meals, drinks, and desserts. Also, they have diverse and unique recipes on their blog. Warm and hearty comfort foods include creamy Butternut Squash Soup, vegan Winter Vegetable Soup, or the crowd-pleasing Bison Chili. Green smoothies or as you may like to call that night: “Scary Smoothies” include the Double Green Smoothie and Get your Greens Smoothie.
Put a healthy spin on Halloween! Offer some of the healthy treats the Whole Foods Market recommends for after the holiday feast: the surprisingly healthy Chocolate Mousse, the seasonally appropriate Pumpkin Pecan Cookies, and the perennial favorite Fresh Take on Apple Pie are all popular.
It is easy to get an excess amount of calories for some candies. However, Halloween is only once a year so there is no need to feel guilty, getting back on track by cooking a nutritious meal or going for a run. Lastly, celebrate and enjoy the holiday without overindulging!