Halloween may be synonymous with candy and sugary sweets, but that is no reason to give up on healthy eating. Serving a balanced family meal before heading out to Halloween festivities can help to keep your ghouls from gobbling up all their candy before they get home.

Start with a festive family meal of Dinner in a Pumpkin, Spiced Hot Chocolate and Baked Pears. Be sure to save the seeds when scooping out your pumpkin and enjoy Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds later in the week. Enjoy Pumpkin, Potato and Leek Soup, Cauldron of Chili with Spider Bread and Cauliflower Gratin with Prosciutto to Eat Better, Eat Together all week long.

Visit Facebook to take the Eat Better, Eat Together family meal pledge and follow the Twitter hashtag #EatBetter2Gether for family meal updates. Then register at MealsMatter.org to add these and other recipes to your personalized family meal plan and shopping list.

“Family Meals Matter” features registered dietitian-approved recipes from the thousands of user-contributed recipes available at the free family-nutrition and meal-planning website, Meals Matter, maintained by registered dietitian moms with Dairy Council of California. Healthy Eating Made Easier™

Happy Halloween from the Dairy Council of California

 Photo Caption:  Spiced Hot Chocolate, EatingWell.