How To Help Your Goblins Gobble Healthier This Halloween

FISHERS, Ind., Oct. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Halloween is surely among the most fun-filled nights of the year. It's also one of the most indulgent; a holiday where maxing out on sweets is often the primary goal.

The super-sized nature of Trick-or-Treating is running headlong into a young America facing an obesity epidemic. And adults aren't helping. According to the National Retail Federation's 2012 Halloween Consumer Spending Survey, 75.7% of adults will hand out candy—the highest number in at least seven years. The average adult will spend $24.25 on Halloween candy, up nearly 19% from three years ago. That's a new record.

Experts agree that most American kids consume between 3,500 and 7,000 calories from candy at Halloween. Dr. Donna Arnett of the University of Alabama's School of Public Health estimates that to burn off 7,000 calories of candy, a 100-pound child would have to walk roughly 44 hours or play 14.5 hours of full-court basketball.

It's adults' responsibility to help kids enjoy Halloween with fun and exciting alternatives to the three pounds of refined sugar that the California Milk Processors Board says is found in the candy filling the typical jack-o-lantern. One substitute is non-food treats. Stickers, pencils, temporary tattoos, soap bubbles, or small toys from a dollar store can replace sweets. So can raisins, granola bars, roasted pumpkin seeds and other healthy treats.

Funky Monkey^® Snacks are another solution. Funky Monkey Snacks combine the taste and nutrition of fresh fruit with the crunch that comes through the company's exclusive freeze-drying process. The result is 100% real fruit that's nutritionally equivalent to its fresh counterpart.

"As with most things, moderation is the key," said Matt Herzog, Funky Monkey Snacks' president. "By substituting healthier alternatives for part of the typical sugar- and fat-laden treats, kids can celebrate Halloween while also learning to make better choices."

Crunchy, delicious Funky Monkey Snacks come in 0.42-ounce bags that are perfectly sized for Trick-or-Treaters. These bags have about 45 calories per serving, with no fat or added sugar. All flavors are Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, tree nut and peanut free, dairy-free and contain no added preservatives, colors or flavors.

Funky Monkey Snacks are available at grocery stores, specialty stores and online. For a full list, go to www.FunkyMonkeySnacks.com.

About Funky Monkey Snacks:
Funky Monkey Snacks are all-natural, real fruit made using a proprietary freeze-drying process that creates "Fruit That Crunches!^®" while retaining fruit's natural goodness.  Funky Monkey Snacks are 100% fruit with no added sugar, colors, flavors or preservatives.  Each 1 oz. bag contains three servings of fruit, providing a delicious and nutritious snack choice that helps support healthy living.  For more information, visit www.FunkyMonkeySnacks.com.

Funky Monkey and Fruit That Crunches are registered trademarks of Freeze Dried Partners LLC.  All other trademarks and/or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Funky Monkey Snacks