Ghosts, goblins, ghouls – oh my! Halloween is packed with spooky frights, but the biggest scare may be how fast your blood sugar crashes when you raid your kid’s candy bag. Here are seven simple ways to stay healthy while you enjoy one of the sweetest holidays.

Everything in Moderation:It’s impossible to ‘blow’ your diet with one treat, so don’t stress out about indulging in a mini Snickers bar (or three!). It is possible, however, to pack on the pounds by constantly noshing on sweets over the course of several weeks. Eat healthy and balanced meals, exercise regularly, and plan ahead for one or two instances of special indulgences. For example, skip the lackluster dessert table at the holiday office party if you’re dying to raid your child’s trick or treating bag.

Set Everyone Up for Success: It’s tempting to keep eating if the candy is just sitting there. Don’t open the bag for trick or treaters before the first doorbell chime. Be generous with candy to ensure there aren’t leftovers. To keep the family from eating candy throughout November, let them select a certain number of favorite pieces to keep on the 31st and take the rest into the office.

Use Applesauce Instead of Oil:For cake, brownie, and muffin recipes, replace the oil or butter with applesauce. This low fat option tastes amazing and slashes the recipe’s overall calories and fat.  Replace at a 1:1 ratio.

Make a Protein-Packed Pumpkin Dip: Mix canned pumpkin puree with an equal amount of vanilla Greek yogurt.  Add pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon to taste. Dip Granny Smith apples, pita chips, or carrots into this tasty and healthy treat.

Create Strawberry Ghosts:  Dip strawberries into melted white chocolate. Use three raisins to create a spooky ghost face and set on a plate to cool and harden.

Whip up Healthy Caramel Apples: When making caramel apples, drizzle the apple in the sweet stuff instead of completely covering it. Sprinkle on chopped almonds or pecans for added crunch, protein, and healthy fats.

Enact a ‘Homemade Only’ Policy: At Halloween parties, pass up grocery store baked goods, opting for the homemade pies, cookies, and cupcakes instead. You can get mediocre store-bought iced cookies any day of the year – why not focus you taste buds on your best friend’s killer pumpkin pie? Make your calories count!