Fall's Health Tricks

Fall. We all know it's coming and we all know what that means. Candy. Candy Apples, Candy Corn, Cotton Candy, Caramel Candies, the list goes on and on. This season is blessed (or plagued, depending on how you look at it) with signature treats that always make us forget about those summer health kicks. It's not just Halloween and Thanksgiving that have all the food, but just the normal day to day fall treats. What is one to do? They are EVERYWHERE!!!

Never Fear. Allie is here.

Lucky for all of us, I have composed a list of a three tasty tricks that are healthy alternatives to some of our favorite fall treats.

#1 Peanut Butter Apple

It kills me to make this healthy replacement as caramel apples are my absolute favorite fall treat, but a healthy girl's gotta do what a healthy girl's gotta do. Instead of buying those deliciously sugary, unhealthy taffy apples, why don't we make our own! Everyone loves peanut butter (unless you're highly allergic. Sorry Jon and Alex.) What you can do is take whole apple and spread it all over with peanut butter. Look! It even looks like a caramel apple! If you want to go crazy, which I usually do, grab some crushed nuts and sprinkle it all over the apple. Bite in and enjoy this delicious treat!

#2 Whole Wheat Pumpkin or Banana Bread

Another one of my favorites is banana bread. My mom makes the best I have ever eaten and I never want it to go away. A fall favorite similar to banana break is pumpkin bread. Both are happily enjoyed during this season and both aren't exactly the healthiest things for us. Something that can give it a little healthy punch is making it whole wheat instead of whatever else you would choose to use. It gives more fiber to help digestion and that is something that everyone needs! What says Fall better than a healthy digestive system?! (Many things. But laugh at my joke anyways. It's much appreciated.) 

#3 Pumpkin Yogurt Dip

This delicious snack is good for all of your dipping needs. Once again, here is a replacement for caramel. I know I love dipping my apples in caramel in the fall partially because it seems healthy. "After all, it is apples!" I convince myself to believe, and yes, that is true. It is apples, but why don't we replace the unhealthy part with a healthier treat. Here is an easy recipe to do this:

In a small bowl mix:

1/2 cup of vanilla Greek Yogurt

1/2 cup of canned Pumpkin

3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon

Chill and serve with sliced apples, pears, cucumbers, or red peppers!