7 Healthier Candy Swaps for a Sweet Halloween
Updated: Oct. 20, 2022Be sensitive to kiddos' dietary needs with this Halloween candy you can shop straight from our site. (These chocolates might have fallen into our online cart, too.)
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Healthy Halloween candy swaps
Halloween is back at full force in 2022. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are planning to celebrate this Halloween at almost pre-pandemic levels, with consumers spending an average of $100 each on Halloween candy—the second highest amount in the survey’s history. With all that treat, though, there’s a little trick now that many of us are more health-focused than we were before the pandemic: how can you make Halloween candy a little less of a sugar bomb?
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A lot of Halloween candy classics are loaded with refined sugar and additives…not exactly what we want to teach our youngsters about wellness, are we right? (Looking at you, Reese’s cups.) If you want to hand out a little healthier Halloween candy that’s friendly to kids’ blood sugar, developing teeth, food allergies, etc., here are some healthy Halloween candy swaps that you can sub out for traditional favorites. (Not all of these are nut- or allergen-free, so make sure to read the label.)
Instead of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, try Unreal Mini Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups
Unreal takes the high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) out of some of your favorite childhood treats. Case in point: their dark chocolate almond butter cup. They’re vegan, contain five grams of sugar per treat…and we think they taste even better than what you’re used to. (And if you need something to snack on while you binge your favorite scary movies, Unreal’s Milk Chocolate Gems are a great M&Ms substitute!)
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Instead of microwave popcorn, try SkinnyPop Popcorn
SkinnyPop popcorn is an oft-recommended alternative to traditional microwave popcorn by health experts, and now it comes in portion-controlled (and Halloween-friendly) multipacks.
The filler-free popcorn packs are made without gluten, dairy or preservatives. SkinnyPop is also Teal Pumpkin Project-approved, meaning it’s free of all major allergens.
Instead of Rice Crispy Treats, try Blake’s Seed Based Crispy Treats
Rice crispy treats are delicious, but not the healthiest. However, Blake’s Seed Based Crispy Treats are a vegan alternative free of nuts and gluten that could scratch your Rice Krispie itch.
Packed with flax, pumpkin and sunflower seeds for a textured crunch in every bite, these only have seven grams of sugar. They’re also available in a wide range of flavors—including Pumpkin Spice if you’re feeling festive!
Instead of Hershey Kisses, try Enjoy Life Foods Halloween Chocolate Minis
Enjoy Life Halloween chocolate minis are bite-size mini chocolates free from the top eight allergens, and a perfect healthy Halloween candy. They come in dark chocolate, rice milk chocolate and rice milk crunch chocolate, as well as a variety pack.
If you’re looking for something closer to a Hershey Milk Chocolate bar, you can also try SuperMajor’s Oat Milk Chocolate Bar, which is dairy- and allergen-free, and includes no added sugar.
Instead of Peanut Butter Kisses, try Brainiac Foods Brain Butter
You already know that nuts are chock full of healthy fats…but one issue to watch out for is portion control. Like all things, healthy fats are only healthy in moderation. Nuts are also high in calories.
Brainiac Foods solves these problems with their portion-controlled squeezable packs made with almond or peanut butter. Aside from healthy fats, these packs are full of protein and omega-3s. They come in two delicious flavors (chocolate and honey) that you won’t believe are good for you.
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Instead of Bubble Yum, try Spry Stronger Longer Bubble Gum
Spry Stronger Longer Bubble Gum is a great alternative to traditional gum. It’s sweetened with xylitol, a natural sweetener, which can help keep mouths not only fresh. Xylitol also inhibits the growth of bacteria, keeping it from sticking to teeth and tissues. (Xylitol can also cause tummy trouble in large quantities, so don’t overdo this one. Also, keep products sweetened with Xylitol entirely out of reach from your pets, as it can be toxic.)
Instead of Sour Patch Kids, try SmartSweets Variety Park
Cover all your bases with the SmartSweets variety pack, and get healthy alternatives to Peach Rings, Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids and even Sour Patch Watermelon.
Each bag is vegan, gluten-free, only has three grams of sugar (that’s right: the whole bag is a serving!) and are naturally sweetened with monk fruit and allulose. If you want a true dupe for a fraction of the sugar, look no further!
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