Some Halloween treats are trickier than others when it comes to sugar and calories. While Halloween candy wouldn’t be classified as a health food, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some without feeling guilt afterward. You can have these candies in moderation.
Here are some tips to help you enjoy that Halloween candy in moderation.
- When you do head to the store for bulk Halloween candy, pick up ones that come in bite-size, individually wrapped packaging and see if you can limit yourself to one or two. Take a long time to chew on a piece of candy so that you really savor the flavor and feel satisfied after just a little bit.
- Store your Halloween candy on a top shelf in a sealed container so it’s out of sight. That way when you’re reaching for it, you’re doing so with purpose and mindfulness. People ate about two more pieces of candy when it was placed in clear bowls near their desks versus when candy was stored in opaque containers further away from them (1).
Now that you know how to snack on Halloween candy wisely, it’s time to figure out what you should have. Here are some recommendations based on calories, portion size and sugar content.
- Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers – One serving; eight pieces of these gummy worms comes in at 100 calories and 14 grams of sugar.
- Snack-Size Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – A single peanut butter cup has 110 calories and 11 grams of sugar. Despite the sugar content, it’s still a top choice given that it’s individually wrapped and does have some protein and fiber.
- Charms Blow Pop – Although this lollipop with gum in the center has 13 grams of sugar, it’s only 70 calories. The low calorie count and the fact that sucking on one will occupy you for a while make this choice another acceptable treat.
- Snickers Miniatures – Like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, a four-piece serving of Snickers Miniatures does offer you some protein and fiber, which can help keep you full. But one serving has 170 calories and 18 grams of sugar.
- TWIX Caramel Cookie Bars Minis – Three of these bite-size crunchy candies come to 150 calories and 15 grams of sugar.
- Kit Kat Minis – These tiny Kit Kats clock in at 170 calories and 17 grams of sugar for four pieces.
- Tootsie Roll Minis – Four mini Tootsie rolls have 150 calories and 19 grams of sugar but no protein or fiber. One mini Tootsie Roll has less than five grams of sugar.
- Brach’s Candy Corn – A serving size of candy corn — 19 pieces—is 140 calories and 28 grams of sugar.
SOURCES
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16418755/
https://www.eatthis.com/halloween-candies-ranked/
https://www.delish.com/food/a37827339/best-and-worst-halloween-candy/
