Healthy and Safe Halloween

Crafting with healthy food makes it more fun to eat. If you want to ditch some of the candy this year, consider making these delicious soldiers in a spooky fruit army:

Mandarin Jack-o’-lanterns – draw on the face with a permanent marker on a mandarin orange peel.

Banana ghost mummies on popsicle sticks – cut a banana in half, place the cut end of the banana on a popsicle stick and place chocolate chips for eyes and a mouth. To finish it off, drizzle some peanut butter “bandages” on the banana.

Marshmallow apple mouth – Slice an apple in half and create a slit to apply peanut butter. Then apply marshmallows as teeth and use it as a prop. Dogs make the best models.

Kiwi and strawberry monsters – Let Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc. make a comeback this Halloween by making these below. Cut a slit in a peeled kiwi, apply slivered almonds as teeth, stick on a strawberry slice for a tongue and apply mini marshmallows topped with a chocolate chip as eyes. Uncanny, right?

About the author: Shanthi Appelö is a registered dietitian and health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Passionate about the science of nutrition and behavior, Shanthi has experience working in clinical nutrition, public health and teaching in the university setting. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors, working on art and spending time with family.    

Here are more fun Halloween ideas from AHealthierMichigan.org:

• Making Halloween Special, Spooky and Safe!
• Halloween Recipe Roundup
• Healthier Halloween Treats

Mandarin orange photo credit: nito100; All other images by Shanthi Appelö.