Halloween 2009 – Halloween goodies can be good for your kids

If entertaining young ghosts and goblins this Halloween, why not try some healthy alternatives to all those chocolate bars and candy treats?

With only a limited amount of preparation time and creativity, parents can offer such goodies as: apple wedges dipped in caramel sauce, celery sticks with peanut butter, ants on a log (frozen bananas topped with raisins), pretzels dipped in chocolate, or snack cereal drizzled with melted chocolate or peanut butter and lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar.

"Try something that's nutritious, but presented with a little extra twist so as to make it more appealing to kids," says Terry Brown, a registered dietician at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

For healthier handout treats, she suggests small packages of raisins, goldfish crackers, pretzels, trail mix, nuts, fruit roll-ups or granola bars.

In addition, it's a good idea to ration the amount of candy a child eats at one time, Ms. Brown says. Placing a small amount of candy in a plastic bag for a special treat can help kids determine how much is enough, she says.

Media Contact: Kristen Holland Shear