5 Candy Alternatives That Will Keep Trick-or-Treaters Smiling

Treat Trick-or-Treaters to a Healthy Treat This Season

The fall season brings an amazing amount of fun activities for you and your family. From the excitement of Halloween, to school fall festivals, kids and parents alike look forward to the cool weather and family memories. Unfortunately, Halloween and fall festivals can also do a number on your child’s teeth. Hard candies, sweet treats and sugary snacks can be cavities waiting to happen. Handing out Halloween candy doesn’t mean you have to hand out oral health disasters. There are a number of healthy alternatives to the candy bars and licorice- some that trick-or-treaters might even enjoy more than the sugar rush. The days of handing out apple slices and pennies to avoid contributing to tooth destruction are gone! Take a look at some of these creative trick-or-treat alternatives that will leave all the little ghosts and ghouls smiling throughout the year.

Applesauce Pouches                                                                                     

Applesauce is still a sweet treat, and not nearly as hard on the teeth. Not only that, they’re portable, affordable and a great way to avoid the mess of some other treats. You can get a pack of 48 pouches for about 35 dollars on Amazon, which is enough to give all the trick-or-treaters something healthy to smile about.

Mini LaraBars

Larabars are gluten free, vegan, kosher and only have about 8-11 grams of sugar per bar. They also come in mini form, making them perfect to hand out on Halloween. The great thing about these treats is that the kids won’t even know they’re healthy! LaraBars have flavors such as cherry pie, apple pie and cashew cookie and are just as delicious as the other mini candy bars that will be weighing down their bag. If you can’t find LaraBars, or they’re a little too pricey for you, granola bars of any kind will be a better choice than chocolate.

Vegan Rice Crispy Treats

Rice crispy treats are a delicious sweet treat for trick-or-treaters, but you don’t have to use all the sugary marshmallow to make them amazing. There are a number of recipes you can follow which swap out a few classic ingredients for something a little healthier in order to create the perfect Halloween snack. By using brown rice syrup instead of marshmallow, brown rice crisps instead of white rice and coconut oil instead of butter- you can make delicious, healthy treats that many claim are better than the original. Check out one the recipes here. 

Sugar Free Gum

While sugar free gum may not be the most exciting item in your child’s bag, it’s still a quality alternative to all the junk they’ll be getting. You can get tasty sugar free gum such as Dubble Bubble and throw a few pieces in along with other healthy treats. Parents will appreciate the lack of sugar, and the kids (especially those kids who love their chewing gum) will be happy with a full bag of “candy.”

Toys

If you want to skip the food items altogether, many parents have opted to hand out toys instead. There are a number of items you can get in bulk for cheap such as pencils, erasers, stickers, mini water guns, temporary tattoos, mini play dough, sidewalk chalk, bouncing balls, bubbles and more. The possibilities are endless and none of these things will land your child in the dentist’s chair. If you’re thinking of skipping the candy and handing out toys, head to your local dollar store to find amazing deals on bulk items.

There’s also the option of handing out pre-made veggie and fruit snacks, however this may only be a good idea if you’re close with the surrounding neighbors. Parents are often a little leery of pre-prepared snacks and the time and money you spent might simply end up in the trash. These days there really are dozens of candy alternatives that don’t skimp on the flavor. Do your own research to find what works best for you and your family, have fun with it, and get everyone involved. Keep in mind that most trick-or-treaters will be over-flowing with the sugary stuff- so its good practice as a parent and oral health advocate to provide something that will keep their smiles healthy throughout the year.

Dr. Melanie Bibb

Design Dental Group

4500 Washington Ave, Suite 700

Houston, TX 77007

Phone: (713) 869-0334

Fax: (713) 869-0339

9738 Katy Freeway, Suite 400

Houston, TX 77055

Phone: (713) 365-0334

Fax: (713) 365-0339

Three Surprising Foods That Are Horrible for Your Teeth

Even those with outstanding oral hygiene can fall victim to a few unknown cavity causing culprits. dental hygiene top notch; but there are a few surprising items that can do just as much damage- if not more- and you may not even know it.
Some of our favorite treats, while seemingly healthy, can be responsible for tooth stains, bad breath and other forms of mouth destruction.  Most tooth-conscious consumers already know they should avoid things like sugar, hard candies and soda in order to keep their

1. Pickles

Pickles, while not typically considered something to avoid for oral health, are soaked in vinegar during the pickling process.  Vinegar is filled with acid and acid is notorious for quickly wearing away the enamel on your teeth. This is important to keep in mind when eating anything that has gone through the pickling process. While a pickle here and there is not going to erode your smile, the fanatics who always keep a jar for snacking in the fridge might want to re-think their propensity for pickles.

2. Dried Fruit

Many believe dried fruit to be a healthy alternative to sweets such as candy, chocolate and other sugary options. However dried fruit is extremely high in sugar itself, and often sticky, meaning it is more likely to get caught in the crevices between your teeth and park there for a few days. When something high in sugar gets stuck between your teeth it feeds the bacteria, and contributes to dental erosion. Again, anything in moderation is fine, but if you think you’re making a better choice in bypassing the chewy candy and heading for some dried fruit- think again.

3. Crackers

This appetizer favorite is not typically associated with dental problems, yet recently many dentists have blamed the consumption of refined carbohydrates for inflammation in the body. Regularly inflammation can be linked to a number of dental dangers such as periodontitis and gingivitis. Other foods high in refined carbs such as white bread and pasta, pretzels and white rice can be a threat to your weight, overall health and your smile.

Regular dental check-ups and superior hygiene is the key to keeping your oral health up to par. Being informed about what is and isn’t going to make the whole process harder is a good step towards balanced health and happiness. While your teeth may thank you for cutting out these items entirely, simple moderation and awareness will certainly be just as appreciated.

Design Dental Group

Dr. Melanie Bibb

4500 Washington Ave, Suite 700

Houston, TX 77007

Phone: (713) 869-0334

Fax: (713) 869-0339