Amy’s Halloween candy alternatives

Halloween is right around the corner, but in light of my recent discoveries about damaging effects of artificial colors and flavors (and petroleum and coal tar) in candy, I haven’t been feeling very excited about a holiday that promotes candy consumption.

Consider this:

Americans spend a whopping $950 million on Halloween candy every year. So it’s not surprising that a 2006 Mayo Clinic article estimates that 1 in 3 American children are now considered seriously overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. That’s a staggering 25 million children who are at high risk for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, bone and joint problems, exercise induced asthma, disturbed sleep patterns, premature maturity, liver/gallbladder disease and depression. — Go Green

So the idea of handing out “treats” that are laden with sugar AND chemicals was less than appealing to me. But what is a good alternative that won’t get my house egged the next day?

Using several different web sites, I’ve compiled a list of some alternative Halloween treats. (Please be aware that some of these may be choking hazards for small children.)

Non-food options:

• Temporary tattoos
• Stickers
• Playdoh
• Pencils
• Small pads of paper
• Fancy erasers
• Pencil toppers
• Crayons
• Coins (pennies, nickels, dimes)
• False teeth
• Superballs
• “Slime”
• Kazoos or other small musical instruments
• Tiny decks of cards
• Origami paper & instructions
• Bubbles

Healthier food options (buy organic if you can afford it):

• Granola bars
• Cereal bars
• Pretzels
• Glee gum
• Packets of instant hot chocolate
• Raisins
• Fruit leathers
• Prepackaged trail mix
• Prepackaged cookies

Things to avoid:

• Avoid costume jewelry, especially glossy, fake painted pearls and toys from vending machines, both of which may contain lead
• Avoid cheap plastic toys that are just going to end up in the trash and go off to the landfills

Now what about for your OWN kids?

What do you do if your kids go trick-or-treating and come home with a bag full of stuff you’d rather they not eat? While my kids are still too young (in my book) for door-to-door trick-or-treating, we are going to a Halloween parade tomorrow (the kids dress up and walk down Main street) and the local merchants pass out candy after the parade is done. This year I decided to buy some natural candies - suckers, cookies, fruit leathers, etc., to trade Ava for once she’s done trick-or-treating. I’ll likely still let her pick a few things from her collected loot, but then I’m hoping she’ll trade the rest in for the still tasty, but natural candy goodies I have for her. I am optimistic that it will go well! :)

Stumble it!