Halloween is right around the corner! This means silly costumes, scary movies, and everyone’s favorite-delicious halloween candy. Though this tasty treat is enjoyed among Halloween lovers and trick or treaters, it is also a very dangerous food item. Many of us are fooled because it is such a small portion that we often over indulge. In order to understand how unhealthy most Halloween candy is, let’s take a quick look at my candy of choice- Reese’s.
A single 1.5 oz bag of Reese’s Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups is 210 calories, contains 20 grams of added sugar, 12 grams of overall fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, and 24 grams of carbohydrates. Other crowd favorites such as Snickers and Kit Kat bars also have very similar nutritional values as Reese’s. Needless to say that these Halloween treats are not the best thing to frequently eat if you have specific health goals you want to reach. Remember, you do not need to cut out all of your favorite foods in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Moderation is key. In order to avoid consuming too many sweets do not buy your Halloween candy multiple weeks in advance. This will prevent you from overindulging during this treat filled season.
Want to learn how to maintain a good diet without feeling deprived of foods you thoroughly enjoy? Click here to see the importance of eating that pumpkin pie, but just a taste.
So what should you eat instead of candy leading up to Halloween? Well, here are some alternatives that are lower in calories and fat!
Vanilla Meringues (Krunchy Melts)
These delicious treats are a tasty alternative to the unhealthy Halloween candy advertised every year! 8 vanilla meringues are only 90 calories and 0 grams of fat. A container of “Original Meringue Cookies” can be easily purchased on Amazon and Shoprite.
Apples Dunked in Peanut Butter and Caramel
Apples are a fall favorite fruit and will change how you view Halloween treats this autumn. One medium apple is only 80 calories and contains fiber, healthy phytochemicals, and vitamin C. With the addition of a tablespoon of peanut butter or caramel on the side to dip the apple in, this treat is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth anytime you have the urge to eat candy.
Cookie in a Mug
This cookie in a mug is an easy, homemade favorite treat to eat during the holiday season. This quick, warm dessert created by the writers of So Very Blessed takes minutes to make and contains less fat and calories. In order to make a cookie in a mug, you need the following ingredients:
- 3 Tbs white whole wheat flour
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 Tbs sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 Tbs unsweetened applesauce
- 3 Tbs skim or dairy free milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbs mini chocolate chips
Add all of the dry ingredients into the large mug and mix. Once this is complete, add the applesauce, milk, and vanilla to the mixture and thoroughly combine the wet and dry ingredients together. Stir in the chocolate chips and microwave the mug for 70 seconds. Finally, let the cookie cool for a few minutes and enjoy your new holiday treat.
For more information on this recipe, please visit:
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To your Joy and Health,
Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN
This blog post was written by Bailee Richman, Dietetics Student from the University of Maryland