3 Tips and Tricks for a Healthier Halloween

From the first bowl of Halloween candy to the final sip of scarily good cocktails, this spooktacular holiday can be one big indulge-fest. If you don’t want to spend it eating poorly (and paying for it), then you need to find healthy ways to celebrate.

We’ve put together a list of fun and easy Halloween ideas to ensure no one ghosts your party.

Tip #1: Carve a Pumpkin Like a Pro

Picking out pumpkins and deciding how to decorate them is one of the most enjoyable traditions of the Halloween season, especially with your friends. That’s why we’re sharing our best pumpkin carving tips to help you and your party guests create your very own.

Step 1: Choose a pumpkin that’s fresh, with a sturdy stem, no bruises and a flat bottom so it won’t roll while you carve.

Step 2: Start cutting from the bottom — not the top — to prevent the sides from caving in later on.

Step 3: Scoop out all the pulp and seeds and save for later.

Step 4: Sketch out your design on paper. It might be easier to tape the paper on the front of your pumpkin and use a fork or pencil to poke holes along the lines you want to carve. If you don’t have the time, purchase a carving kit or premade pattern.

Step 5: Holding the pumpkin in your lap, use a serrated kitchen knife or an X-Acto knife for carving. Just don’t cut on a slant — clean up-and-down slices look best.

Step 6: Start by making simple rough cuts. Get the big pieces out of the way first and go back later to clean up the edges.

Step 7: Save the scraps to make a tongue, pipe, hair accessories or whatever else comes to mind.

Step 8: Keep your pumpkin fresh for longer by spreading petroleum jelly on the cut edges.

Step 9: Light it up. Place your candle (or candles) into your pumpkin before lighting. You can also try blinking Christmas lights for a spooky look.

Step 10: Create a chimney by leaving the lid on for a few minutes while the candles burn. Then make a small hole where the lid has blackened.

Step 11: Sprinkle cinnamon inside the lid so your jack-o’-lantern will smell like a pumpkin pie. Yum!

Tip #2: Throw a Halloween Dance Party

After you’ve showed off your pumpkin carving skills, put together an eerie mix of the best Halloween jams—Thriller, Monster Mash, Ghostbusters—and dance the night away.

Besides, parties are about fun times with fun people. Food doesn’t necessarily have to be the center of attention. So give ‘em pumpkin to talk about with your killer dance moves.

Tip #3: Make Some Devilishly Good Snacks & Drinks

Want to see something super scary this Halloween? Just check the ingredient label of your favorite candy. There’s not a lot in there other than sugar and processed junk.

While every diet (yours included) has room for sweets in moderation, you can still keep your spooky spirits high with these healthy Halloween alternatives.

Pumpkin soup: Use the scraps from your pumpkin carving fiasco (see above) for a delicious soup or a low-cal cake. You can even offer roasted pumpkin seeds as a high-protein snack.

Spooky bloody marys: Tomato juice topped with a layer of black vodka is just the thing for getting a Halloween party started. 10/10 vampire recommended!

Get creative: Cucumber sticks turned green zombie fingers? Baked potatoes turned shrunken heads? Whole-wheat pasta turned creepy crawly worms? The sky’s the limit when it comes to what you can do with common kitchen staples!

Need some more inspo? Check out more horrifyingly healthy halloween recipes.

#TeamGymondo wishes you a happy and healthy Halloween!

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