Think Outside the Pail! Halloween Treats for Expecting Moms
October 5, 2019
Halloween is arguably one of the sweetest holidays, simply because it gives us an excuse to buy sugar-packed treats to hand out to enthusiastic trick-or-treaters. But let’s be honest, we all buy Halloween candy well before Oct. 31, and mostly so we can eat it ourselves! While it’s totally normal to indulge in treats once in a while, it’s important to be mindful of how much sugar and how many calories we consume. Plus, being mindful of building healthier habits for ourselves and our families can help us continue these habits through the holiday season and beyond.
In today’s post, we’ll highlight a few healthier alternatives to sugar-loaded candy for Halloween treats.
100-Calorie Snack Packs
It seems like just about every food brand is jumping on the 100-calorie bandwagon. It’s not surprising, as these small snack packs make great choices for trick-or-treaters, party guests or for satisfying your own snack cravings any time of year!
Want something sweet but low in calories? Pepperidge Farm’s® 100 Calorie Milano® Cookies are a great choice. Nabisco® also offers 100-calorie packs of popular products such as Chips Ahoy!® and Oreos®. If you have a membership to a warehouse club such as Costco or Sam’s Club, you can likely find these in bulk.
Craving something a little salty? There’s a 100-calorie snack pack for that! Snyder’s of Hanover® has 100-calorie packs with crunchy, delicious mini pretzels. Or if you’re looking for something that’s gluten-free, non-GMO and contains no artificial ingredients, SkinnyPop’s® 100- calorie packs of low-carb popcorn could be a great choice.
Want to stick to something natural? Snack packs of raisins or dried cranberries (craisins) are a great option and can give you a little bit of energy (that won’t make you crash like eating candy will.)
There are tons of options out there, so why not consider going the low-cal snack route instead of loading up on sugary candy?
Mini Versions of Your Favorite Candy
We can’t be good all the time, right? After all, an important part of self-care is treating ourselves! If you can’t bear the thought of giving up your favorite candy this Halloween, a good compromise might be to simply choose smaller size portions.
Almost all of the popular candy bar brands make mini or “fun” size versions of their products. Snickers®, Milky Way®, Twix® … the list goes on. These are great options for your trick-or- treaters too!
Protein Bars
Protein bars, aka energy bars, could make a great alternative to candy this Halloween season. If you’re thinking of giving them out to trick-or-treaters, you’ll probably want to purchase them in bulk. Most protein bars are priced higher than typical granola bars or candy bars when purchased individually, so buying in bulk (either online or from a discount club) may make more sense.
Be aware, however, that while protein bars can provide ample nutrients, some have higher calorie counts, so consume them in moderation and always check the nutrition facts to make sure they comply with your goals and nutritional needs.
All-Natural Snacks
Finding natural alternatives to artificial ingredients in snack foods can seem like a huge challenge. But if you know what to look for and what to avoid, it can become less daunting over time. A few all-natural snack choices that could make great Halloween treats include plain and simple fruits and veggies (you can even get creative by making healthy food into fun Halloween- themed treats), nutrition bars that are made of whole, simple ingredients, and protein-rich nuts that are yummy and satisfying.
For fruits and veggies, consider handing out boxes of raisins or other dried fruit combinations. If you’re feeling crafty, check the web or browse Pinterest for fun, Halloween-inspired finger foods that are low in sugar, low in calories and low in saturated fat.
As for nutrition bars, KIND® bars are a popular choice since they are made with whole ingredients and contain protein, fiber and low amounts of added sugar. There are lots of other brands of wholesome nutrition bars on the market today, too. Shop around and taste a few to find the ones you love!
If you’re on a restricted diet, or considering going on one, be sure to consult with your doctor or nutritionist to help you set the necessary limits without completely missing out on the fun of holiday foods.
Balancing Treats and Nutrition During Pregnancy
Remember, Halloween is a time to enjoy special treats and satisfy your sweet tooth! For expecting mothers, this can be an especially tempting time to indulge those pregnancy cravings, but keep in mind holiday treats are usually lacking in real nutritional value. That’s why maintaining a prenatal vitamin routine during pregnancy is so important. The Prenate® Vitamin Family offers a complete line of prescription prenatal vitamins created to help support positive pregnancy outcomes and meet the changing nutritional needs of expecting mothers. From Prenate Pixie®, for before and during pregnancy, to Prenate® Restore, designed to meet breastfeeding and other post-partum needs (and several others to help throughout the process), the Prenate® Vitamin Family offers complete prenatal supplement options for expecting mothers. Talk to your doctor to see if the Prenate® Vitamin Family’s prenatal vitamins are right for you.
