If you’re wondering if there’s a blog that’s right for you, don’t worry… No, I don’t think there is such a thing as healthy candy!
“Healthy” means “better than the alternative.” That means they’re made with real food ingredients, without artificial dyes, additives, artificial sweeteners, and all the other crap you find in regular candy. Plus, you can make your own truly healthier “candy.”
I still prefer gifts or experiences without candy whenever possible. Even on Halloween. But thanks to a company that makes candy with better ingredients, my family can participate in our local trick-or-treating festival. (Without having to hand out seaweed snacks… I think that would be delicious too!)
for a moment… Are healthy candies good for you?
Considering the negative effects sugar has on your health… No, absolutely not! Hard candies and gummies with added sugar (even those labeled sugar-free) aren’t the healthiest.
I have a bit of a loophole about my stance on sugar. (But you can’t help what science says.) There were quite a few years where I skipped parties and trick-or-treating altogether.
I’ve experimented with different approaches to Halloween (the ultimate candy palooza) over the years. As my kids got older, I decided to not pick Halloween and use it as an opportunity for them to practice making good food choices.
Now that more companies are making better candy options (with ingredients I can actually recognize), I’ve been able to find favorites that my kids love and can live with. Mixing this (sparingly) with a variety of non-candy alternatives makes for a fun, creative, and healthy Halloween, and we think it’s better than the original tradition!
Healthier Candy (and Non-Candy) Alternatives for Trick-or-Treating
I usually make my own for candy or chocolate candy bars, but they are not suitable for trick-or-treating. If you’re looking for healthier store-bought candy, here’s one that passes the test.
Of course, you won’t find many of these products at your local grocery store. I will be using mine often. a thriving market Memberships to stock up on. It’s cheap, convenient, and I like the selection. Amazon is another good place to find them. I’ve even seen candy options at my local health food store that contain less sugar and have more health benefits.
The following snacks are all individually packaged for trick-or-treating. As a bonus, the neighborhood kids will probably like it better than the trash! You can help your kids satisfy their sweet tooth with healthier options.
Start with a healthy diet
First the good, then the trash? This is the same at my house on Halloween. These are our favorite Halloween-themed meals and snacks that are high in protein, healthy fats, and fiber. These low-sugar ingredients help fill anyone’s stomach and prevent the sugar rush.
Organic Spooky Fruit Snacks
This jelly pack Get the color and flavor from real food ingredients like pear juice and carrot juice. Unlike most store-bought candies, these gummy bears are organic and gluten-free.
fruit leather strips
Do you remember what happened during lunch time at school? this version Use real fruit and skip the corn syrup. It’s also plant-based and vegan for those who don’t want the gelatin found in many gummy snacks (although I love gelatin!).
Grain Free Crackers
Give your kids a break from sweet treats. Delicious grain-free crackers. They’ll never know that it’s nutritious to boot. They also come individually packaged for easy trick-or-treat distribution. If you’re concerned about a nut allergy, keep in mind that it’s made from almonds.
Popcorn Snack Pack
We don’t make popcorn often, but when we do, we choose to. Gluten-free and non-GMO. Kids and adults alike will love the “buttery” taste of coconut oil and pink Himalayan salt. It is also a low-calorie product with only 50 calories per bag.
Peanut Butter Cups (no peanut butter)
No Halloween trick-or-treating list is complete without peanut butter cups. Dark Almond Butter Cups It’s a delicious alternative and (in my opinion) much better than the classic snack. If you need an allergen-free version that’s free of nuts, soy, and dairy, try this dark chocolate. sunflower butter cups. Also available in peppermint or milk chocolate flavors.
Tori and Howard Candy
these Chewy Fruit Candy Although they look exactly like the popular Starburst candy, they are made with organic ingredients and no artificial flavors or colors. Plus, creative flavors like Meyer Lemon & Raspberry, Pomegranate & Nectarine, and Blood Orange & Honey will tempt even adults. It’s also rich in the antioxidant vitamin C. Torie & Howard also hard candy We sell organic, non-GMO products in bulk.
Best Buy: Natural Lollipops
We know that buying natural or organic products is often out of your budget, but this time there is no excuse. I saved the best for last with these natural methods. Yum Earth Lollipops… 250 organic and real fruit flavored pops for less than 20 cents a bag!
Products for snacks or treats, not candy
Again, I do not offer this as a weekly/daily food for my kids, but only as an occasional alternative for special occasions when candy cannot be avoided (e.g. Halloween).
To keep candy from becoming the centerpiece of your holiday, mix in plenty of inedible treats and merchandise. It’s cheap and kids love it too! Here are 26 ideas for what to give out on Halloween other than free candy.
Other Healthy Halloween Treats and Treats (Kids Love them!)
One strategy for limiting candy is to provide children with plenty of nutritious food before heading out trick-or-treating. Instead of your usual dinner, make Halloween-themed appetizers to share. I make sure they are high in protein and fiber and low in sugar.
There are a million ideas for healthy Halloween party food, but 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 the work took a little time and effort and was very successful. Most of the time, the kids begged me to make them (and I let them!).
Here are some of our favorite Halloween party snacks and snacks we’ve tried.
I also keep homemade treats along with non-candy prizes for use after trick-or-treating. Kids cash in on less-than-ideal candy for fun Halloween jewelry, trinkets or toys. They usually have no problem with this and actually expect it.
Happy Halloween!
The bottom line is that sharing community with our friends and neighbors is a top priority. These options were as close to healthy candy as possible and allowed my family to participate in trick-or-treating. By providing a better alternative to the typical Halloween candy feast, we hope to help our kids have a positive outlook on healthy eating and focus on having fun!
What do you give out on Halloween? Looking for a candy made with better ingredients? Please share!