Trick or Treat with Vegetables and Meat

by Edward Christian Frugalidad

So last week was Halloween and I bet your house is still overloaded with sugary candies–I know mine is! Has it been difficult to get in those vegetables and fruits?! Have you been struggling with this lately?

Did you know Nutrition Experts such as Ellyn Satter actually suggest that dinner be served alongside dessert–children can even eat the sweets first!

Honest! I’m not lying, and don’t worry I haven’t been taken hostage by children who are forcing me to say this, but try it and let me know how it goes!

Due to their “sweet tooth” children–ha! even adults! tend to favor fruits or cakes over vegetables, so you may find your little sugar monster digging into these recipe ideas, and unknowingly dining on those fruits and vegetables you’ve been struggling to get them to eat.

As a parent myself to three active young sons, my wife and I are continuously told “No! No! No!” “I don’t want that!” as plates of whole fruits and vegetables are boldly shoved away and their tiny hands slyly creep towards those pumpkin baskets on the countertop.

So, you know what, two can play that game! Here’s a trick that has a treat!

Take this example, a fresh apple slice dappled with caramel or honey, topping it off with some chocolate chips or even nuts!
Or take this one, a “caramel-peanut butter chocolate apple combo.” Both will surely satisfy your child’s sweet craving while also fulfilling that need for fruit–an apple a day keeps the doctor away!

If you’re thinking about which toppings to choose, what about some nuts (that is if you don’t have a nut allergy!) Did you know that eating peanuts daily could lower your risk of cancer and other diseases, such as heart disease. Nuts, like Peanuts are a good source of omega-3, fiber, vitamin E, antioxidants and “good” fats.

And what else? Well I know your Halloween buckets like ours, are probably overflowing with chocolate–so why not add that in too! Remember the cocoa in dark chocolate contains antioxidants called flavonoids and polyphenols, which may also provide several health benefits on top of its taste benefits! Did you know it is these antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative stress–it’s literally crazy kid medicine–tired stressed out parent medicine too!

If you don’t have chocolate in your Halloween bins or just don’t care for it–I personally only like white chocolate!! Don’t worry too much about even substituting some of that other candy–piece by piece, here and there, it is totally fine! We tend to think that sugary foods are so unhealthy, and yes there is definitely truth in this, but sugar is actually a source of energy and needed for our healthy diets! No kids I did not say to dump that entire bin into your mouth at once–but yes you may have a candy bar, especially after a long day!

So let’s see your ideas for those Halloween treats!! Come on Parents lets

Trick AND Treat!!