The costumes are picked out, the pumpkins are carved into Jack-o-lanterns, and the leaves are starting to turn a festive orange color. While the feeling of fright is lingering in the air, the thing that could be the scariest is having to stock up on candy for the trick or treaters. It’s no secret that Halloween candy can be loaded with a ghastly amount of sugar, calories and fat, so you most certainly do not want to buy your favorite candy choice. To keep yourself from falling victim to the terrifying Halloween bite-sized monsters, choose to have some of these healthier choices on hand for when the door bell rings.
York Peppermint Patty- One full size bar of this classic candy has only 140 calories, 2.5 grams fat, 27 grams of sugar. Much healthier than heavy chocolate bars, this peppermint patty is made with dark chocolate and intense peppermint flavor that will certainly satisfy you.
Mini 3 Musketeers- This mini candy bar is a better and healthier choice than some of the others, because the inside is filled with a light and fluffy nougat instead of dense, sugar-filled caramel. With only 24 calories and 1 gram of fat in a mini 3 Musketeers bar, you can snack on a couple of these without feeling too guilty or weighed down with fat.
Pumpkin Peeps- These marshmallow treats are present at almost every holiday, and are a surprisingly healthier choice than some other sugary confections. The marshmallow pumpkins contain 16 calories, 0 grams of fat, and 3.5 grams of sugar each. Although these Halloween candies are pretty much all sugar, they contain fewer calories than many other treats.
Jolly Ranchers- Hard candies will almost always be a healthier choice than a sugar loaded chocolate bar. Three Jolly Rancher candies contain 70 calories, 0 grams of fat and 11 grams of sugar. These healthy candy choices are great, because they will give you a ton of flavor that lasts a while, for few calories and fat.
Tootsie Roll- One of these classic candies is a healthier chocolate option than most of the others. One tootsie roll contains 50 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 10 grams of sugar. A healthier choice for a chewy, chocolatey fix. But be careful, if you grab a couple of handfuls of these the calories can start to quickly add up.
Peanut M&M’s- My favorite! The best part about this Halloween candy choice, is that they come in fun sized portions, so you will be less likely to go overboard. 1 fun size pouch contains 90 calories, 5 grams of fat, 9 grams of sugar. Although they are chocolate, they do contain a healthier ingredient than some other chocolate bars- peanuts!
Charms Blow Pops- Lollipops are a great candy choice because they will keep you busy for a while with a lot of flavor. One Charms Blow Pop contains 60 calories, 0 grams of fat and 13 grams of sugar. After you get through the candy shell, there is then some gum to chew on- it’s like two in one!
Interesting post. it is Diwali (new year) here in India and this means sweets, lots of them, all milk based and laden with calories. But fortunately, this is giving way to sweets prepared with pumpkin, carrots etc which comparatively are “healthier”.
Love recipes for sweets made with pumpkin, especially this time of year!
Halloween is the start down a slippery slope of gaining 10 pounds between now and New Year’s. I know because I’ve done it. Good to see the “healthier” alternatives include Peanut m&m’s! Also one of my favorites.
Agreed! Halloween+ Thanksgiving+ Christmas= Dangerous
These are great suggestions and a great list to use. I am now looking for Halloween candy and will be using your suggestions…
Thanks!
We have a friend who’s taken the “alternative to bad choices” even further. She gives out small bags of chips, bubbles, and tattoos! She’s a nutritionist so she’s a little crazy like that, but she swears the kids love it because it’s something different!
Wow, thats great! I’m sure they do, getting something other than candy is probably exciting. i remember a neighbor of mine used to give out mini bags of pretzels, and I loved it!