Halloween is synonymous with ghouls, goblins, witches and a host of other not-so-reputable characters. It's also the time of year that kicks of the first of many holidays that include sweet treats and other goodies not so good for the waistline. If you're a health conscious individual who eats well there's no reason you can't enjoy some tasty, yet healthy, Halloween treats. Here are a few the whole family will enjoy.

Halloween wouldn't be complete without some roasted pumpkin seeds. After the pumpkin carving is over, remove the membrane from the seeds and wash well with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels. Spread them out on a cookie sheet, and sprinkle with a light coating of sea salt. Unlike conventional table salt, sea salt contains many minerals that are beneficial to the body. Potassium, magnesium and calcium to name a few. Bake pumpkin seeds in a 275 degree oven until they are slightly brown and crunchy.

Trail mix is another healthy treat that isn't complicated to make. The kids can even help. Choose from any number of different ingredients like raisins, pretzels, dried fruit, nuts, crackers and dry cereal. You can even toss in a few chocolate M&M's to make it a sweet and salty mix. Toss all ingredients together in a plastic bag and you're done. Serve in individual baggies or in a large party bowl. This treat is high in protein, carbohydrates and fiber.

Whip up one of these blood shakes for a real festive drink. This great Halloween beverage is a real hit with the old and the young alike. There's really nothing more to it than combining your favorite fresh fruits with some low-fat yogurt and a smidge of ice cream. Puree until smooth. Add a few dashes of red food coloring to turn the mixture into a vampire blood shake. It's is not only healthy, but is a real eye opener for those who don't really know what it's made of.

Halloween is a great time of year for making spook sandwiches. Dig out your favorite Halloween cookie cutters. Make any kind of sandwich you like. Peanut butter and jelly, bologna and cheese or deviled ham, any filling will work. Using the cookie cutters, cut Halloween shapes out of the finished sandwiches. The kids love these, and it's a great way to liven up any Halloween gathering.

A few other ideas are ants-on-a-log; celery sticks filled with peanut butter with raisins on top. Popcorn balls; add some food coloring to the mix for a festive color. Carve out an orange as you would a pumpkin. Paint the face instead of carving it. Fill with your favorite low-fat dip, hummus or yogurt. To top it all off, serve with hot apple cider. Simmer some fresh apple cider in a pot with a few cloves and a dash of cinnamon.

Halloween is a real fun time of year, and the tasty treats are a large part of it. Try serving some of these Halloween treats for a healthy twist on some old favorites.

Learn more about this author, Cyndi Li.
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