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Halloween is a time for playful deception, making it the perfect opportunity to introduce some stealthy nutrition into your diet.

Let’s go on a culinary adventure where traditional dishes are served up with a mystery ingredient, disguising nutritious elements in a costume of traditional flavor and appearance.

A chocolate mousse dessert in a glass cup decorated with novelty glasses, a fake nose, and a mustache.
Get this delicious chocolate mousse recipe below
Animated tofu character with a broom sweeping near a block of tofu, on a gray and orange background.

Tofu

You can sneak tofu into your menu as a substitute for higher-fat ingredients. Planning a ghostly dip or a creamy pumpkin pie? Blend silken tofu in for a smooth, rich texture that adds protein without extra calories. Your family and friends will marvel, unaware of the healthy secret lurking within. Try out the instant chocolate mousse recipe for a freakishly good dessert.
A cartoon superhero zucchini with a red cape and mask, striking a pose next to zucchini peels.

Zoodles

Pasta is a favorite, but try twisting things up with zoodles — zucchini noodles. With a spiralizer, transform fresh zucchini into long, noodle-like strands (or check your grocery store for premade zoodles). Toss with pesto or marinara sauce for a dish that’s tantalizing and teeming with vitamins. Zoodles are a fun way to conceal vegetables in a meal and are sure to trick (and treat) everyone at the table.

Illustration of a cute cauliflower character dressed as a pirate with a sword, standing next to cauliflower.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is the ultimate trickster. This versatile vegetable can take the place of rice, mashed potatoes or even pizza crusts. Try riced cauliflower as a base for a shockingly savory stir-fry or bake it into a crispy, thin pizza crust for a hauntingly healthy alternative. It’s a fantastic way to reduce carbs and increase fiber intake, all while keeping flavors bold and spirits high.
An apple character dressed as a pirate with a sword standing next to a bowl of applesauce.

Applesauce

When baking, replace traditional fats like butter and oil with a fall favorite: applesauce. This stealthy switch not only reduces fat content but also adds natural sweetness, so you can cut down on added sugar. Use unsweetened applesauce in muffins, cakes or cookies to create moist, tender treats that are eerily guilt-free.

An animated cowboy-boots-wearing milk carton character with a jar or yogurt.

Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt is a protein powerhouse and a great substitute for mayonnaise or sour cream in creamy dressings and spreads. Mix it into your devilish dips or spooky sauces to add a tangy twist without extra fat. The rich, creamy texture disguises the healthy swap hidden beneath.

An illustration of a happy cartoon bean in a wizard costume holding a candle, beside a pile of beans.

Black beans

Not just for savory dishes, black beans can be a magical ingredient in desserts too. Puree black beans to replace flour in brownies for a gluten-free treat that’s sure to enchant. Black bean brownies will fly off the table, providing a fiber-rich, lower-calorie option that still satisfies that sweet tooth.

Instant chocolate mousse

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

  • 1 box (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 1¼ cups soy milk (cold)
  • 1 package (14 ounces) silken tofu

Directions:

  1. Blend the chocolate pudding mix and the soy milk on medium speed for about 15 seconds until the mixture is very smooth. 
  2. Add the silken tofu and blend again. Scrape the mixture down off the sides to be sure it’s all mixed in. Blend and scrape until well mixed and very smooth.
  3. Pour mixture into 4 small serving dishes.
  4. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Adapted from myplate.gov.

Bowl of yogurt with herbs and a cheerful cartoon condiment bottle.

It’s alive! (with flavor)

Experiment with yogurt-based ranch dressing in your science laboratory — or kitchen.


This story originally appeared in the fall issue of PA Health, our quarterly full-color magazine filled with wellness tips, inspiring stories and more.

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