A staple of the holiday, a sugar bonanza for kids (and some of us adults),

a can’t miss it, roll in it, gimme gimme more…

Halloween Candy!

But Halloween treats don’t always have to be so unhealthy.

Here are some recipes from Web MD that make for a healthy, happy Halloween!

• Make a treat exchange with your kids, trading the traditional candy they get trick or treating with your home made goodies
• Make them with your kids as a fun activity
• Serve them up at a party
• Or, be a favorite of all the neighborhood moms and hand out some healthy alternatives!

Pumpkin Cracker Snacks

Journal as: 1/2 serving low-fat crackers and 1/2 serving cheese.

10 reduced-fat wheat crackers (reduced-fat Triscuits can also be used)
10 thin slices of reduced-fat cheddar cheese
5 or more slices of light salami or sliced deli turkey
10 slices of black olives (if desired)

• Set out 10 wheat crackers on serving plate.
• Carve out 10 pumpkins from the slices of cheddar cheese using an open 2-inch pumpkin cookie cutter. Set a pumpkin on each cracker.
• Carve a half slice of salami into two eyes, a nose and a mouth and place on the cheese pumpkin. You can use a black olive slice for the mouth if desired.
• Serve and ENJOY!

Makes 5 servings (2 crackers each)

Per serving: 96 calories, 8 g protein, 6 g carbohydrate, 5 g fat, 1 g fiber, 250 mg sodium.

Trick or Treat Trail Mix

Journal as: 1 serving low-fat cracker, 1 serving dried fruit, and 1 serving nuts.

This is a great snack if you are on the go on Halloween afternoon.

1 cup of pretzel sticks or mini pretzel twists
1 cup of reduced-fat cheese crackers (such as Reduced Fat Cheese Nips)
1 cup lightly salted roasted or party peanuts (or similar nut)
1 cup orange or black dried fruit (raisins or dried apricots or dried peaches)
1/2 cup Halloween M&Ms (optional)

• Combine all the ingredients in a big bowl and toss to mix well.
• Use a 1/2 cup measure to scoop out 1/2 cup of the mixture into a zip-top or plastic bag. Tie the ends closed with orange and black curling ribbon or decorative wire.

Makes 9 (1/2 cup) bags

Per serving: 213 calories, 6 g protein, 30 g carbohydrate, 8 g fat, 2.5 g fiber, 227 mg sodium.

Monster Fingers and Green Goblin Goo

Journal as: 1 serving “vegetables with 1 teaspoon fat.”

1 cup baby carrots
About 10 pitted black olives (cut in half lengthwise)
1/4 cup light cream cheese
1 cup celery sticks (and/or 1 cup lightly micro-cooked and chilled asparagus spears if desired)
1/4 cup almond slices
3 drops green food coloring
1 cup jicama sticks
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup bottled light ranch dressing (i.e. Light Done Right)
5 drops (add more if desired) green food coloring

• Glue a black olive half onto each baby carrot using cream cheese as the glue. Arrange on serving plate.
• Add almond slices to a small zip-top bag and sprinkle 3 drops of green food coloring over the top, seal well, and shake like crazy to color the almond slices green. Glue a green almond slice onto each celery stick or asparagus spear using cream cheese as the glue. Arrange on serving plate with the carrot fingers.
• Glue a large dried cranberry onto each jicama stick using cream cheese as the glue. You can add red spots on the jicama stick with red food coloring if desired. Arrange them on the serving plate with the rest of the monster fingers
• Add the ranch dressing to a dip bowl. Stir in 5 drops of green food coloring–mix by hand until well blended. Serve it with the monster fingers!

Makes 6 servings

Per serving: 95 calories, 3 g protein, 10 g carbohydrate, 5.5 g fat, 3 g fiber, 216 mg sodium.

Magee, Elaine MPH, RD. Ghoulishly Healthy halloween Snacks. Retrieved on October 29, 2010 from http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/guide/ghoulishly-healthy-halloween-snacks.