Halloween can be a bit of a nightmare for families trying to live a healthier lifestyle. A night of trick or treating results in an excess of low-quality sweets for the whole family to indulge in. Sure, you want to celebrate in moderation, but how exactly do you find that balance when there’s so much candy around and they all seem equally as frightening and sugary?

The good news is whether you are limiting carbs, processed foods, excess sugar, or you’re following a gluten free or paleo diet there ARE alternative options for you.

6 Healthy Halloween Treats

1. Bloody Eyeballs by Nom Nom Paleo
Gooey? Check. Creepy? Check. Perfect for a Halloween Party? Absolutely. This recipe calls for longans, which may be tough to find, but they are extremely similar to lychees. Impress your guests or family with this fruit based Halloween treat.

2. Spicy by Paleo Leap
Want to completely get away from the sweets and have more of a savory snack? Try these Spicy Pumpkin Seeds by Paleo Leap. Pumpkin seeds may be high in calories, but they are loaded with fiber, zinc, magnesium, plant-based omega-3 fats, and anti-oxidants.This recipe uses cayenne, chili, and sea salt for a savory and spicy snack.

3. DIY Banana Mummies by Flo and Grace
These DIY Banana Mummies aren’t just healthy, they’re fun, fast and creative. Plus, the frozen bananas are great for the fall heat in Florida. The candy coating is low glycemic, and extremely easy to make.

4. Jack-O-Lantern Sweet Potato Fries by Brooke McLay at Babble
Looking for something naturally sweet and have 30 minutes to spare? Try making these fun Jack-O-Lantern Sweet Potato Fries. Serve with chili or with your pre trick or treating meal to start off the evening in a nutritious way5. 

5. Apple Bites by Oh She Glows
Nut butter, apples, and slivered almonds make this a fast, simple, and healthy halloween treat.

6. Homemade Kit Kat Bars by Fork and Beans
These are gluten free and only have seven ingredients (yes, really). They are filled with Rice Chex cereal, but are still loads more healthy and less processed than the classic store bought candy.

Wait, what about all of this CANDY!?

If you’re reluctant to toss all of the chocolates and sweets in the garbage, consider mixing it up between the store bought candy and the healthy alternatives above. Ready to toss it all? Hold on! There are tons of buy back programs for Halloween candy. Check your local dentist or search this site to see if there is a buyback program near you. Alternatively, Operation Gratitude is a wonderful organization that sends care packages (including Halloween candy) to our troops! Check out their site to learn more and find a candy collection center near you.