Halloween foods and their wellbeing benefits

Halloween might be known for costumes and candy, but if you take a look at some of the more traditional foodie ingredients, there’s some real feel good factor in foods that are perfect for warding away the winter chill. Here are a few of our favourite examples!

Pumpkin

The quintessential Halloween ingredient, pumpkins might be better known for carving at this time of year, but you might want to consider adding them to the menu as well. Believe it or not, you can actually eat the whole pumpkin - the skin, pulp and seeds - as long as you know how to cook it. Together, they support healthy skin with vitamins C and E, as well as beta-carotene, can aid eye health and boost the immune system.

Pumpkin seeds

Where there are pumpkins, there are pumpkin seeds, and these little guys really pack a wellness punch. They’re a great source of protein and unsaturated fats, including omega-6 fatty acids. They also contain a good range of nutrients, including iron, calcium, B2, folate and beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. That means they’re good for balancing blood sugar, regulating blood pressure, they might even help you sleep.

Apples

Best used for bobbing in this instance, apples are a super alternative to the tradition for sweets over Halloween. High in water content and rich in fibre, the adage ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ came about for good reason. They have a low glycemic index, which means they don’t give you a sugar rush and they help to protect heart health and brain health.

Boxty Potato Pancakes

This traditional Irish recipe featuring raw grated potato, leftover mashed potato and flour. Fried with milk, baking powder and egg into a pancake, you can add garlic or spices. Potatoes are recommended for bone health, containing iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. They also help with the production and maturation of collagen. They’re good for heart health, inflammation, immunity, and skin health, according to Medical News Today.

Colcannon

Another Irish Halloween tradition is Colcannon, which mixes mashed potato and kale or cabbage with a little milk. Since we’ve already covered the benefits of potato, let’s take a closer look at cabbage. This unassuming ingredient is packed with nutrients including vitamin A, iron and riboflavin, aiding the metabolism and the nervous system.