With Halloween around the corner, we’ve all found an excuse to add a few candy bars to our diets. To avoid utter guilt, read on for what to pick and what to skip, Halloween edition.
Peanuts and Chocolate
Little can beat this classic combination.
Pick: Snickers
Skip: Peanut Butter Cups
Though Reese’s have more protein, Snickers end up having less fat and less calories. The chocolate, peanut butter combo is also unfortunately irresistible; it is impossible just to have one cup, especially in the fun size. Though the smaller size might lead you to think you could consume more, these miniature cups can have a huge effect on a healthy diet. Stick to Snickers and maybe you can enact better self-control.
Bite Size Delights
What could be better than a handful of bite sized goodies?
Pick: Peanut M&M’s
Skip: Skittles
Though Skittles have less calories, Peanut M&M’s release sugar into your bloodstream more slowly, which keeps you satisfied for longer, whereas Skittles spike your blood sugar quickly, which will leave you craving more. Plus, Peanut M&M’s give you a little boost of protein.
Crispy, Chocolate Cookies
Break me off a piece of that…
Pick: Kit Kat
Skip: Twix
While both are deliciously dangerous, Kit Kit defeats Twix with fewer calories, as well as less saturated fat and sodium. Twix also contains three times the amount of sodium you would get if you chose a Kit Kat. While that cookie crumble center is hard to pass up, it’s probably best just to break off a piece of that Kit Kat bar.
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Halloween Classics
We couldn’t leave out this category.
Pick: Candy Corn OR Tootsie Rolls
It’s a tie for this match. Candy corn supersedes Tootsie Rolls in seasonal popularity, but nutritionally, it’s a draw. Though you would need 26 pieces of candy corn to rack up the same amount of calories as 6 Tootsie Rolls, both candies contain artificial color and flavor, so in other words, pick your poison. However, if you’re vegetarian, you might want to stick to Tootsie Rolls, as candy corn contain gelatin, an animal byproduct.
Satisfying Sweets
When you need a treat that fills you up…
Pick: York Peppermint Patty
Skip: Butterfinger
There is no contest here. Two Butterfingers contain a whopping 200 calories, 8 grams of fat, and 100 milligrams of sodium, while 3 York Patties contain 150 calories, 3 grams of fat, and 15 milligrams of sodium. The dark chocolate coating is also much healthier than the milk chocolate coating of Butterfinger. The long lasting mint after taste of York Peppermint Patties also leaves you less likely to reach for another candy.
Fruity Favorites
Cherry or Watermelon?
Pick: Jolly Rancher
Skip: Starburst
While Starburst has less calories (43 calories as opposed to 70 calories in Jolly Ranchers), Jolly Ranchers win in the end because they take longer to finish. Because you suck on them, rather chew them like Starburst, you’re less likely to have three in a row. However, Starbursts are addictive; it is almost impossible to have more than one, so in the end, Jolly Ranchers are the better choice. For an even healthier choice, try a fun pack of gelatin- free gummy worms to get that fruity sweet fix.
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Hard Candies
For the collegiette™ who likes a crunch…
Pick: Smarties
Skip: Sweet Tarts
It’s probably no surprise that Smarties are smarter for you. Smarties have about half the sugar and calories of an equivalent serving of Sweet Tarts (25 calories and 5 grams of sugar in one roll of Smarties compared to 50 calories and 13 grams of sugar in a roll of SweeTarts). Plus, the smaller size of Smarties gives you the sense that you have a lot more which will take longer to eat. When you eat smaller candy, you don’t feel as guilty about splurging on sweets.
Punny Treats
We love them for more than just their pun-ny names.
Pick: Milky Way
Skip: Pay Day
While both of these candies contain quite a lot of caramel, which is not very healthy, Milky Way has less than fifty percent of the fat and sodium than Pay Day has in two fun size pieces. While the peanuts in Pay Day give some protein and other nutritional benefits, they also pack the candy bar with 90 milligrams of sodium and 9 grams of fat. So in this case, give in to the gooey Milky Way universe, but be wary of overloading on the caramel goodness.
Coo-coo for Coconuts
When you need a little island time…
Pick: Almond Joy OR Mounds
Nutritionally, these two candy bars are twins. They both have about 80 calories in the fun size with an equivalent amount of fat, saturated fat, and carbohydrates. In trying to decide between the two, it really just depends on whether or not you’re in the mood for nuts. Overall, these candy bars are pretty similar when you’re in the mood for a delicious chocolate and coconut combo.
Kid Favorites
You remember these contenders from the 90’s.
Pick: Bubble Yum
Skip: Tootsie Pop
It may surprise you, but one piece of the sugared Bubble Yum gum has less than half the calories of the candy coated and candy filled Tootsie Pop. There are only 25 calories in Bubble Yum, whereas each Tootsie Pop contains 60 calories. Tootsie Pops also have more sugar, weighing in at 10 grams versus the 5 grams in Bubble Yum. Though usually lollipops are a good choice for a candy craving, a piece of this sugary, scrumptious bubble gum can better fulfill an after meal craving than a Tootsie Pop.
Remember these other healthy tips for the Halloween weekend!
- Choose candy bars with airy, light filling, rather than a dense, thick filling; the lighter the inside of the candy bar is, the better your chances are for picking a healthier sweet treat (Think Three Musketeers over a Fast Break).
- Try to pick candies with dark chocolate, which has more nutritional benefits than other forms of chocolate. If the chocolate is better for you, you won’t feel so bad snagging a few more pieces.
- Halloween themed Peeps are also a good alternative to the typical candy choice. They are only 16 calories, fluffy, and sweet. Adorable marshmallow treats that won’t ruin healthy eating habits? How can you say no?
- With the exception of Tootsie Pops, lollipops are always a better choice; the longer a candy can last, the better the reward, because you’re less likely to want to go back for more.