By Jena Pape

Hy-Vee Dietitian

Creating a healthy Halloween holiday may seem challenging at times, especially since kids often have multiple celebrations: at school, with friends and in the community trick-or-treating. However, celebrating a healthy Halloween doesn’t have to be about giving up all the treats, just bringing them into balance.

Teach your kids that “treats” can fit into a healthful meal after all the other food groups have been consumed. Eat candy as part of a well — balanced meal instead of as a snack between meals.

Have your children eat a good meal before they trick—or—treat. Serve your child a nutritious meal or snack before going trick-or-treating so he or she won’t dig into the bag of candy before he or she gets home.

Divide candy into weekly and daily portions. When it’s all gone, they need to wait until the next day or week. Let your kids pick out a few of their favorite candy pieces to have each day.

A good rule of thumb to remember: Parents are in charge of what kids eat and when they will eat the candy.

Candy can be frozen to help with portion control. Halloween is a fun night for kids, so enjoy small portions of candy.

Popcorn is a great low — calorie snack option at only 31 calories per cup for air — popped and 43 calories for butter — flavored microwave popcorn. This poppable whole grain contains a good source of fiber, which is great for overall gut health and helps control appetite.

Try this popcorn ball recipe for a Halloween treat. You can also find several other Halloween recipe ideas at www.hy-vee.com.

 Ooey-Gooey Popcorn Balls

Serves 10 (1 ball per serving)

All you need

•1 (2.7 oz) bag Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPOP! 94 percent Fat Free Butter Microwave Popcorn

•1/4 cup butter

•4 cups miniature marshmallows

•1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 All you do

1. Prepare popcorn according to package directions. Transfer popped kernels to large heatproof bowl being careful to remove all unpopped kernels; set aside.

2. Place butter in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high 30 seconds or until melted. Add marshmallows; microwave 90 seconds more (marshmallows will appear puffed). Add vanilla and stir well with heatproof spatula.

3. Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn; stir to coat. Form popcorn mixture into 2 and 1/2—inch balls, rolling firmly by hand.

Cook’s Tips

— Feeling festive? Orange food coloring may be added to the melted marshmallows for a Halloween look. Then press a small piece of black licorice or a candy corn into the top of each popcorn ball to mimic a stem on a pumpkin.

— Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls: Add ½ cup Hy-Vee dry roasted peanuts to reserved popcorn. Omit vanilla and replace with half cup Peter Pan Creamy Peanut Butter. Continue with recipe as directed.

Nutrition info per serving: Calories 130, fat 5 g, sodium 106 mg, carbohydrate 21 g, fiber 1 g, sugar 12 g, protein 1 g; Source: readyseteat.com