If you’re wondering if you have the right blog, never fear… no, I don’t think there is such a thing as healthy candy!
By “healthier” I mean “better than the alternatives.” This means they are made from real food ingredients. Without artificial colorsAdditives, artificial sweeteners and all the other junk found in conventional candy. You can even make your own healthy “candy”.
I still choose. Candy-free gifts or experiences Even on Halloween as possible. But thanks to companies that make candy with better ingredients, our family can participate in neighborhood trick-or-treating (without giving out seaweed snacks…although I think those are delicious!).
Wait… is healthy candy good for you?
Given Adverse health effects Sugar… No, definitely not! Candy with added sugar (and labeled as sugar-free) such as hard candy and gummy candy are not very healthy.
I’ve taken a few flak for my stance on sugar. (But hey, I can’t help what the science says.) There were years of skipping parties and trick or treating.
I’ve experimented with different approaches for Halloween (the ultimate candy-palooza) over the years. As my kids got older, I decided that instead of opting out, I could use Halloween as an opportunity for my kids to make good food choices.
Now that so many companies are making better candy options (with ingredients I can actually recognize), I’ve been able to find some favorites that my kids love and where I live. Mixing these (carefully) with lots of non-candy options makes for a fun, creative and healthy Halloween that I think is even better than the original tradition!
Healthy candy (and non-candy) options for trick-or-treating
I usually make my own candy or chocolate candy, we’re going to have it, but that doesn’t fly for trick or treating. If you’re looking for healthy store-bought candy, these are the ones that pass the test.
Of course, you won’t find many of these at your local grocery store. I usually use mine Rich market Membership to store. The price is low, it’s convenient, and I love the selection. Amazon is another good place to find them. I’ve seen candy options with less sugar and more health benefits at local health food stores.
All of the following treats are individually wrapped for trick-or-treating. Bonus, the neighborhood kids probably like them better than junk! You can help them satisfy their sweet tooth with healthy options.
Start with healthy food
First the good stuff, then the crap? This is true in my Halloween house. These are our favorites Halloween themed dishes And snacks that are high in protein and healthy fats and fiber. These low-sugar ingredients will help fill everyone up and keep the sugar level in check.
Organic Spooky Fruit Snacks
These rubber packs Get their color and flavor from real food ingredients like pear juice and carrot juice. A far cry from most store-bought candies, these gummy bears are organic and gluten-free.
Fruit leather straps
Remember these from school lunch days? This version It uses real fruit and skips the corn syrup. They’re also plant-based and vegan for those who don’t want the gelatin found in many gummy snacks. Like gelatin!).
Grain free crackers
Give the kids a break with all these delicious foods Sweet grain-free biscuits. They never know they are constructive to boot. These are also individually wrapped for easy trick-or-treat distribution. If you need to worry about nut allergies, be aware that they are made with nuts.
Popcorn snack packs
We don’t make popcorn very often. But when we do, we choose. Gluten free and non-GMO. Kids and adults enjoy the “buttery” goodness of coconut oil and a sprinkle of pink Himalayan salt. They are low in calories at just 50 calories per bag.
Peanut Butter Cups (without nut butter)
No Halloween trick-or-treating list would be complete without peanut butter cups. These dark almond butter cups They are a very tasty alternative and (in my opinion) better than the traditional treat. If you want an allergy-friendly version that’s tree nut-free, soy-free, and dairy-free, try these dark chocolates Sunflower butter cups. They also come in peppermint or milk chocolate flavors.
Tori and Howard Candy
These Chewy fruit candies They are similar to the popular Starburst candies, but use organic ingredients and no artificial flavors or colors. Plus, their innovative flavors will challenge even the grown-ups: Meyer lemon and strawberry, pomegranate and nectarine, and blood orange and honey. They are also high in vitamin C. Hard candies They are mostly non-GMO and organic.
Best Buy: Natural Lollipops
I know shopping for natural or organic products can mean a real bite out of the budget, but there’s no excuse at this point. I’ve saved the best of these naturals for last. Yum Earth lollipops… 250 organic, real-fruit flavored popcorns in a bag for less than 20 cents each!
Good non-candy treats for trick or treating
Again, I only offer these as occasional options for special occasions (like Halloween) where kids don’t have candy, not as weekly/daily treats.
So that candy isn’t the centerpiece of the party, mix in lots of non-edible treats and prizes. They are still cheap and kids love them! Here they are. 26 ideas for what to give on Halloween besides free candy.
Other healthy Halloween snacks and treats (kids love them!)
One strategy for limiting candy is to offer kids plenty of nutritious food before going trick-or-treating. Instead of a typical dinner, we’ll make some Halloween-themed recipes to share. I make sure they are heavy on protein and fiber (and low in sugar).
While there are a million ideas for healthy Halloween party food, I’ve only tried the ones that are simple and easy to prepare. I’m no Martha Stewart, but I’m happy to report that most of these came out pretty well with a little time and effort. In most cases, the kids begged to take over and do it themselves (I let them!).
Here are some of our favorite Halloween party snacks and treats that we’ve tried:
I also keep some homemade food with some of them Non-candy prizes On hand to trick or treat. The kids can cash in some of their not-so-good candy for fun Halloween decorations, ornaments, or toys. They usually have no problem with this and actually look forward to it.
Have a great Halloween!
Most importantly, sharing in the community with our friends and neighbors is a priority for us. These options are as close to healthy candy as you can get, and they’ve made it possible to participate in trick-or-treating in our family. By offering some better alternatives to the typical Halloween candy-fest, I hope my kids can have a positive attitude toward healthy eating and focus on having fun!
What do you give on Halloween? Have you found a candy with better ingredients? Please share!
