Creating a healthy Halloween holiday may seem challenging at times, especially since kids often have multiple celebrations: at school, with friends and in the community trick-or-treating. However, celebrating Halloween doesn’t have to be about giving up all the treats, just bringing them into balance.
- Teach your kids that “treats” can fit into a healthful meal after all the other food groups have been consumed. Eat candy as part of a well-balanced meal instead of as a snack between meals.
- Have your children eat a good meal before they trick-or-treat. Serve your child a nutritious meal or snack before going trick-or-treating so he/she won’t dig into the bag of candy before he/she gets home.
- Divide candy into weekly and daily portions - when it’s all gone, they need to wait until the next day or week. Let your kids pick out a few of their favorite candy pieces to have each day.
- A good rule of thumb to remember: parents are in charge of what kids eat and when they will eat the candy.
- Candy can be frozen to help with portion control. Halloween is a fun night for kids, so enjoy small portions of candy.
Popcorn is a great low-calorie snack option at only 31 calories per cup for air-popped and 43 calories for butter-flavored microwave popcorn. This poppable whole grain contains a good source of fiber, which is great for overall gut health and helps control appetite.
Try this popcorn ball recipe for a Halloween treat. You can find many Halloween recipe ideas at www.hy-vee.com.
Ooey-Gooey Popcorn Balls
Serves 10 (1 ball per serving).
All you need
- 1 (2.7 oz) bag Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPOP! 94% fat free butter microwave popcorn
- 1/4 cup butter
- 4 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
All you do
- Prepare popcorn according to package directions. Transfer popped kernels to large heatproof bowl being careful to remove all unpopped kernels; set aside.
- Place butter in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH 30 seconds or until melted. Add marshmallows; microwave 90 seconds more (marshmallows will appear puffed). Add vanilla and stir well with heatproof spatula.
- Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn; stir to coat. Form popcorn mixture into 2-1/2-inch balls, rolling firmly by hand.
Cook’s Tips
- Feeling festive? Orange food coloring may be added to the melted marshmallows for a Halloween look. Then press a small piece of black licorice or a candy corn into the top of each popcorn ball to mimic a stem on a pumpkin.
- Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls: Add 1/2 cup Hy-Vee dry roasted peanuts to reserved popcorn. Omit vanilla and replace with 1/2 cup Peter Pan creamy peanut butter. Continue with recipe as directed.
Nutrition Facts per serving: 130 calories, 5g fat, 106mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 12g sugar, 1g protein.
Source: www.readyseteat.com
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.