Healthy Food Options for Halloween

When you think of Halloween, what are some of the first words that come to mind? Autumn? Costumes? How about candy? If you have a child who will be trick-or-treating this Halloween, then you certainly don't want to deprive them of some of the "sugary fun" that comes with the holiday. However, if you want to make sure that things are done in moderation, there are some healthy food options that can be easily integrated into their Halloween experience:

Pumpkin goodies. Another word that tends to come to mind as it relates to Halloween would have to be pumpkins. The great thing about eating pumpkin snacks is that they are full of magnesium, which are good for muscle, heart and bone health. So, whether it's making some pumpkin bread or serving up some pumpkin seeds, make sure that it's on the list.

Granola bars. Aside from the natural sweetness that they provide, did you know that granola bars are packed with fiber, protein and iron? Plus, there are so many different brands that you can have a variety of choices for the finicky eater in your family.

Popcorn balls. Who doesn't like popcorn? The great thing about this particular snack is that it's low in both calories and in carbohydrates. Plus, being that it's a considered to be a whole grain, you can also add high in fiber and low in fat to the list of reasons why it's good for you (and yours). Whether you serve them plain, dipped in a bit of caramel or even cheddar cheese, it's sure to be something that everyone will love.

Pretzels. Do you ever pop in a multivitamin and you find yourself wondering are your vitamins working? If so, probably the one of the last things that you would think to eat to supplement your diet would be a pretzel, but they are actually pretty nutritious. Pretzels are high in both niacin and thiamin, plus they are filled with omega-3 fatty acids.

Dark chocolate. No matter how healthy that you may strive to be, no Halloween is complete without a little bit of chocolate. Luckily, dark chocolate is extremely good for you because it's loaded with antioxidants, it helps to keep your blood sugar intact, it contains theobromine (which helps to harden tooth enamel) and it's also good for your heart and your brain. Plus, the bonus with this is that you can melt it and then pour it over all of the other previously mentioned items. Delicious!

Yogurt. Sure, it may be cold outside but kids are almost always in the mood for ice cream. Therefore, a nice alternative would either be some Greek frozen yogurt (it's loaded with plenty of vitamins including zinc and B-5) or even some yogurt parfaits. All you need to add is some granola and a little fresh fruit and honey and you're all set.

Apples. OK, candied apples may be a bit much, but why not cut the apples into slices and provide a bit of a dipping sauce of either chocolate, caramel or yes, yogurt? That way you can control the quantity and your kids can still enjoy the taste. Happy Halloween!

This is a guest post written specifically for this site. Opinions expressed are of the author.