Somehow we are in the second half of October already. I have no idea when that happened but here we are. That means we are entering into the season where there is a holiday every month that is celebrated with candy, cookies, cake, and pie.  I get it, it’s hard to avoid, so I’m not asking you to live in a bubble. What I am asking you to do is to think about the choices you are making and maybe upgrade your treat choices this year. Halloween is no different.

Halloween Traditions

I used to love Trick or Treating as a kid. It was an excuse to get out of the house, hang out with friends, and see who could get the most free candy. I mean, a dietitian in the making, am I right?! We used to fill up our pillowcases and then barter each other for our favorites.

My favorite candies you ask?

• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• Kit Kat Bars
• 3 Musketeers
• Butterfinger
• Twizzlers

You can see the most popular traditional Halloween candy here. But, also peep their ingredient lists and make informed decisions for me will ya!?

Honestly, the only one of those that sounds semi-appetizing anymore is the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. The rest remind me of stomach aches and headaches. However, we would trade each other for our favorite candy, my mom would let us have some, and then the pillowcase was confiscated. We were allowed to pack some in our lunch for the next week or so and then the rest was donated or stored way up high.

Candy is addictive and not all that satisfying, so you need more and more to compensate for the lack of nutrients and blood sugar crashes. Not ideal, but it happens. What needs to not happen is you continuing to go ham on Halloween candy, especially when grocery stores sell bags for a 2 for 1 special on November 1st…

Halloween Candy Pandamonium

I’m not here to lecture you, but let’s talk about articles like this, claiming that these candies are healthy. Look, I’m okay if you eat candy once in a while but let’s call a spade a spade and that candy is not inherently healthy. It is a food devoid of essential nutrients and we could survive without it. Frankly, we’d probably thrive as a society without it, but yet here we are.

Candy is not going anywhere anytime soon. We love to feed our emotions with candy and you can tell the workplace (and school) is a great case and point. Your favorite co-worker probably has a candy jar on his/her desk and I’m guessing it’s probably pretty hard to avoid whenever you stop by. What about Holiday celebrations? Meetings? Don’t even get me started on break rooms.

The thing is, if we stopped buying so much candy, it probably would start to fizzle out. I know, wishful thinking.  I’m going to share with you some upgraded treats, but I will completely understand if you give out cheaper options out at your house, just give them to the neighbors you don’t like ok 😉 Just kidding.

#SassyApproved Halloween Treats

I’m not going to sit her naively thinking you are going to forgo all treats. If you find that avoiding the treats is what you need this year and what serves you then that is fine. BUT if you feel like you want to indulge a bit, I wanted to give you some treats that I have found to be lower on the sugar & crap front and higher in actual nutrient value.

• Biena Snacks. The Thin Mint variety is tasty and reminiscent of Girl Scout cookies, no joke. (check them out here)
• Little Duck Organics. Because people love fruit snacks, and you should be able to enjoy said snacks (check them out here)
• Little Secrets. So many flavors, so little time. A great option to have out at Haloween parties. (check them out here)
• Smart Sweets. Sick of all the food dyes? Yeah, me too, these are an upgrade in that department. (check them out here)
• Theo Chocolate. I mean if you haven’t had Theo chocolate what are you waiting for? I’d reserve these for yourself, after all, they’re not cheap but definitely worth every penny. (check them out here)
• Unreal. They may sound and taste unreal but they are definitely real (and tasty). (check them out here)
• Wholesome. A wide variety of items, sold at places like Whole Foods. (check them out here).
• Yum Earth. The kids will be asking for these again, sorry for everything. (check them out here).

While I’m not saying spend 5 bajillion dollars on treats, I am encouraging you to think about what foods you are putting in your bodies and the bodies of the youngins. A treat once in a while ain’t no thing BUT if you let that Halloween bag fester, chances are you might be in for some sugar meltdowns for days/months to come. Treat Yo’ Self with some healthier Halloween Treats this year and let me know when you do!

What is your favorite Halloween treat?

xoxo,

Sassy

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