Alright, we know candy-stuffed pillows are inevitable this Halloween, but there are some tricky tips on which treats to eat, and which to ditch.
Don’t be afraid of the dark:
“If you’re craving chocolate, then the darker, the better,” says Katie Cavuto Boyle, RD, owner of Healthy Bites. “Dark chocolate has less sugar, is dairy-free, and is rich in antioxidants that have been shown to reduce blood pressure and decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease.”
Nibble: Hershey’s Miniatures: Special Dark
Serving Size: 5 pieces
200 calories; 13g fat; 7g saturated fat; 25mg sodium; 24g carbs; 18g sugar; 3g protein
Nix: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Miniatures
Serving Size: 5 pieces
220 calories; 13g fat; 5g saturated fat; 130mg sodium; 26g carbs; 23g sugar; 4g protein
No one will think you’re NUTS
“Chocolate that contains nuts may be even better for you, because the nuts contain a variety of nutrients and healthy fats that may displace some of the total chocolate, sugar, etc.,” says Marie Spano, RD, owner of Marie Spano Nutrition Consulting in Atlanta.
Nibble: Dove Silky Smooth Almond Milk Chocolate Bar
Serving Size: 1 bar
190 calories; 12g fat; 6g saturated fat; 20mg sodium; 18g carbs; 16g sugar; 3g protein
Nix: Twix Caramel Cookie Bars
Serving Size: 2 cookies (1 pack)
250 calories; 12g fat; 9g saturated fat; 100mg sodium; 33g carbs; 24g sugar; 2g protein
White is not right
“White chocolate is your least healthy option,” says Boyle. “It doesn’t actually contain any cocoa — only cocoa butter — and it’s packed with sugar and added fat from the extra milk products used.”
Nibble: Kit Kat Snack Size
Serving Size: 3 packs
210 calories; 11g fat; 7g saturated fat; 30mg sodium; 27g carbs; 21g sugar; 3g protein
Nix: Hershey’s Bliss White Chocolate Meltaway
Serving Size: 6 pieces
230 calories; 14g fat; 9g saturated fat; 70mg sodium; 24g carbs; 24g sugar; 3g protein
Look at Chew!
“Caramels contain a high percentage of saturated fat, so if you’re looking for something chewy, you’re better off with a low-calorie candy, like Now and Later, that takes longer to eat,” says Boyle.
Nibble: Now and Laters
Serving Size: 9 pieces
120 calories; 1g fat; 0g saturated fat; 40mg sodium; 28g carbs; 22g sugar; 0g protein Nix: Brach’s Milk Maid Caramels
Serving Size: 4 pieces
150 calories; 4g fat; 3g saturated fat; 90mg sodium; 25g carbs; 15g sugar; 2g protein
Kiss and Tell
Don’t be fooled: A kiss is not just a kiss. There are now seven different types of Hershey’s Kisses, plus a seasonal pumpkin-flavored one, and they each have unique nutritional info. If they all taste the same to you, go for the gold wrapper — they’ve got less fat.
Nibble: Milk Chocolate Kisses filled with Caramel
Serving Size: 9 pieces
190 calories; 9g fat; 6g saturated fat; 75mg sodium; 27g carbs; 23g sugar; 3g protein
Nix: Meltaway Milk Chocolate Kisses
Serving Size: 9 pieces
210 calories; 13g fat; 8g saturated fat; 50mg sodium; 24g carbs; 22g sugar; 3g protein
