Have your Halloween treats and enjoy them too with these low- and no-sugar options.
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Trick or Treat - Halloween Jack o Lantern candy bowl
Halloween = sweets
When you think Halloween, it’s impossible not to picture candy. Halloween is just one of many holidays that highlight America’s love of sugar. The latest edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that you get no more than 10 percent of your total calories from added sugars. That’s about 12 teaspoons each day if you’re following a 2000-calorie diet.
But on an average day, Americans consume a whopping 17 teaspoons of added sugar—so just imagine how high your totals get when you’re nabbing a couple of mini chocolate bars out of the treat bowl.
Cutting down on added sugars can help reduce your risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. Excess sugar in your diet may also negatively impact your brain. Eating higher amounts of sugar is linked to a higher risk of depression. Learn more about what sugar does to your body, here. Eating sugar makes you want more, too: University of California San Francisco’s SugarScience researchers have found that sugar may have addictive properties.
Of course, healthy eating is more about what you eat every single day, rather than a one-day indulgence on a holiday like Halloween. But if this Halloween, you want to consider low- and no-sugar candy options either because you have a health condition like diabetes or just because you are watching your sugar intake, start with the lowest and work upwards.
The Good Chocolate Squares
$27.00 (12 count)
The Good Chocolate is a chocolate company that provides quality chocolate with zero sugar by sweetening their chocolate bars with natural sweeteners. Not to mention that they are 100 percent organic and keto-friendly (only one to two net carbs per serving). In six different flavors, you’ll have a variety of options to choose from. Just note that these candies—like many of the sugar-free options on this list—are sweetened with sugar alcohols. While some of these sweeteners can help prevent cavities, they may also cause tummy trouble, including diarrhea, in large amounts. A gentle reminder to keep portion sizes in mind.
Tom and Jenny’s Sugar-Free Caramels
$7.99 (1 pack)
Tom and Jenny are a husband/wife duo who created their version of a sugar-free caramel because they wanted it to taste delicious but also fit into people’s special diets and lifestyles. Whether you have diabetes or are following a keto lifestyle, these caramels could fit into your diet plan. Each flavor of caramel (and there are five different flavors) is sugar-free, gluten-free, and nut-free. (Keep in mind that even though they are nut-free, the package says the product is made in a facility that processes peanuts and tree nuts, so they may not be an option if you have allergies.) In addition, the caramels are “tooth-friendly”—they’re sweetened with xylitol—so you don’t have to worry about them being stuck in your teeth and causing cavities. (Get more tips to help with your sugar addiction.)
Hershey’s Sugar-Free Mini Chocolate Bars
$29.85 (pack of 12)
If you’re a fan of the classic Hershey’s chocolate bars but are trying to cut down on added sugars, these minis are for you. All of your classic favorites are here. They’re perfect for snacking or even doing some Halloween baking with. While they are sugar-free, Hershey’s does use sugar alcohols as their substitute.
Sevita Sugar-Free Hard Candies
$14.99 (4 pack)
Sevita Hard Candies come in orange, strawberry, cherry, or grape, and each piece of candy has only 3 calories—zero carbs. Sweetened with natural stevia, Sevita Hard Candies are also organic and contain no artificial sweeteners. Drop a handful into trick-or-treaters’ bags or keep them on hand for a better option when the office Halloween candy bowl makes its appearance.
Russell Stover Sugar-Free Chocolates
$11.61 (bag)
If you’re a fan of fancier chocolates, you’ll love Russell Stover’s sugar-free caramels, coconut treats, and truffles. Perfect for anyone avoiding sugar or with diet restrictions, these are Halloween treats without the “trick.” They’re made with dark chocolate and are naturally sweetened with stevia to help curb your chocolate craving in no time. (They also contain sugar alcohols so could cause tummy trouble in excess.) Find out which Halloween treats nutritionists secretly love.
Smart Sweets Gummy Bears
$29.62 (Box of 12 1.8 oz. bags)
Gummy bears are one of those candies that you can’t just have one of. Smart Sweets Gummy Bears only have 3 grams of sugar per bag. Plus, each bag of gummy bears has only 90 calories and an impressive 28 grams of fiber—mostly from chicory root, a prebiotic that acts as fuel for the healthy bacteria in your digestive tract (but can also cause an upset stomach when consumed in large amounts). Smart Sweets are sweetened with stevia and are also dairy, soy, and nut-free.
Smart Sweets Sweet Fish
$19.23 (6 1.8 oz bags)
Similar to their gummy bears, Smart Sweets Sweet Fish are the perfect candy to munch on when you need to appease your sweet tooth with less sugar. Plant-based and naturally flavored, this candy only has 3 grams of sugar and 80 calories per bag. They’re sweetened with stevia and contain some fiber.
Weight Watchers Chocolate Caramel Mini Bars
$14.95 (1 box, 12 count)
Chocolate and caramel go hand in hand, and these Weight Watchers Chocolate Caramel Mini Bars have the classic combo without the extra sugar. Each bar has just 3 grams of sugar and also offer 4 grams of protein, so they could fit into any eating plan you might be following. Just keep in mind that these also contain sugar alcohols as a sweetener so don’t overdo it. Another option: These non-candy Halloween treats to trick-or-treaters.
Nutiva O’Coconut Treats
$13.99 (8 pieces)
If you want tropical flavors or just simply love coconut, try Nutiva O’Coconut Treats. Individually wrapped, they’re the perfect sweet treat to satisfy your Halloween candy cravings. Made with organic coconut oil and hemp and chia seeds, these coconut treats only have 3 grams of sugar.
Yum Earth Vitamin C Lollipops
$6.11 (40 lollipops)
Perfect for kids, Yum Earth lollipops pack a punch with an extra boost from vitamin C. Just one lollipop has 100 percent of your daily value of vitamin C. Free of dairy, nuts, gluten, and GMOs, these individually wrapped lollipops are perfect for the Halloween season. With eight different flavors to choose from and only 4 grams of sugar, these are a satisfying candy for kids of all ages. Watch out for these 50 snacks that are supposed to be good for you—but aren’t.
Eating Evolved Organic Coconut Caramel Cups
$20.68 (9 count)
Eating Evolved Coconut Caramel Cups have just 4 grams of sugar. These cups are also vegan, gluten-free, and keto-friendly. Not to mention, they only have five simple ingredients that you’ll actually recognize—no worrying about what they’re actually made of.
Unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
$25.99 (3 bags)
Unreal is a candy brand that strives to make your favorite chocolate sweets but without the sugar. These peanut butter cups only have 5 grams of sugar per cup—that’s over 35 percent less sugar than the traditional variety. With fair trade, non-GMO, certified gluten-free ingredients, these chocolate peanut butter cups check all of the boxes. Looking for more healthy-Halloween-treat options? Here are the healthier Halloween candy swaps that won’t get your house egged!
Skinny Dipped Almonds
$7.21 (3.5 oz. bag)
Skinny Dipped Chocolate Covered Espresso almonds are like eating chocolate covered espresso beans and chocolate covered almonds all in one bite. With just 6 grams of sugar, 5 grams or protein, and 2 grams of fiber per serving, these are a great snack for any chocolate lover.
Numa Good-For-You Nougats
$13.49 (3 bags of 24 each)
Numa Chocolate Milk Nougat is a satisfyingly chewy, chocolatey, nutty, sweet candy. While Numa does have the most sugar of the candies listed here, two pieces are only 8 grams of sugar—that’s still 40 percent less than most other candy bars. Not to mention that the nougats are made with natural ingredients and contain essential vitamins and minerals and 4 grams of protein.
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