Healthier Halloween candy options for you and the kids.
I blinked and it's October already! I've also been ready for bed around 7:45pm every night this week because it's now getting dark at 7:20pm here in the OH. That happened quick! I am much happier when the sun is out longer and the weather is warmer, but concentrating on each holiday helps get me through the season. First up is Halloween. My daughter G is planning her costume and is already excited for the classroom party and parade.
So, I am a dietitian, but I am not completely oblivious. I do not expect my 6 year old to eat clementine 'jack-o-lanterns', at school while the rest of the class is inhaling Snicker bars, Reese's Cups and KitKats. While they are super cute and most likely will make an October lunchbox appearance, I know that this is a not a realistic holiday option.
I went on a search for healthier, better goodies to hand out at school, trick-or-treat and to keep at home during the season. I use to occasionally allow my daughter to have gluten and dairy on holidays but since we have strictly eliminated them both, her digestive and skin issues have vanished! While planning Halloween treats, my hard-no's this year are gluten, dairy, and artificial colors/dyes. I am more lenient on the sugar since I know her diet is pretty great otherwise.
I have compiled a list of some tasty treats that are gluten free, dairy free, and additive free . That way everyone can still enjoy the essence of Halloween (aka Candy Overload), whether or not you have food allergies, sensitivities, or just trying to eat healthier.
Here are 13 Halloween safer treats that actually taste great, and the reasons why I love them.
We tried these Unreal chocolate coated candies last year from our local Whole Foods Market. Perfect amount of sweet without all the additives, artificial dyes and coloring. They have multiple different flavors. The peanut butter candies do not contain milk, but they do have a milk chocolate filled candy too. Made on shared equipment so most likely fine to eat if you have a sensitivity but not a true allergy. 2. Enjoy Life Chocolate Bar Minis
I love all Enjoy Life products because they are top-8 allergen free and are made in a gluten and nut free facility. These chocolate bar minis are a great addition to your trick-or-treater's candy bag (or your purse).
We tried these Unreal chocolate coated candies last year from our local Whole Foods Market. Perfect amount of sweet without all the additives, artificial dyes and coloring. They have multiple different flavors. The peanut butter candies do not contain milk, but they do have a milk chocolate filled candy too. Made on shared equipment so most likely fine to eat if you have a sensitivitiy but not a true allergy. 4. Annie's Organic Fruit Snacks
A much healthier option to the typical fruit snacks. These snacks use carrot juice for coloring but you would never know it. Organic means non-GMO compared to other alternatives on the market.
Once I had children and began to focus on wellness, I could no longer pass out toxin filled candy to the neighbor kids that I was striving to heal. These became a staple for Halloween trick-or-treaters. These lollipops are organic, real food colors like turmeric, apple, and black currant.
Are you a recovering Swedish Fish addict? If so give these fish a try! All the taste, without the bright red food dyes.
Cocomel's uses coconut milk for caramel instead of traditional dairy milk. Perfect for the dairy avoidant! Plus no gluten, soy, or nuts!
These Marshmallows and Caramels are so delish I may or may not have eaten the whole (small) bag in one day. Marshmallows are sweetened with honey and coconut sugar but add a dose of protein by using grass-fed gelatin. The Sea-Salted Caramels are made with healthy fats-coconut cream and coconut oil-so that you don't get a sugar crash after eating them. All the products are AIP and Paleo too!
These are still candy corn which means its basically just concentrated sugar, BUT no gluten or dairy for my food-sensitive friends. They do contain egg-white but use natural sweeteners like honey. 10. Surf Sweet Organic Jelly Beans
When I think of Jelly Beans I reminisce about trying one of every single flavor (buttered popcorn anyone?) of the way less healthy versions. These organic jelly beans are free from 10 top allergens including peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, egg, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, sesame ad sulfites.
Two treats in one is never a bad idea. Organic lollipop followed by some yummy bubble gum is a win win! These Gum Lollipops are top-8-allergen free and use Chlorophyll as a natural coloring. These will be perfect for the classroom Halloween party. 12. Tree Hugger Bubble Gum
This bubble gum comes in flavors like Watermelon, Lemonade, and Wildberry. Tree Hugger gum is vegan, gluten free, nut free, and contains no artificial colors or BHT. Chew away!
These little hard candies comes in some great flavors with minimal ingredients (about 5!) and are organic, vegan, nut free, gluten free, and non-gmo.
Also, if you are trying to avoid the constant explosion of sugar in your house from October to February like me, try the 'Switch Witch' trick with your little ones after trick-or-treat. I used a similar tactic last year but just leveled with G. She could have candy on Halloween and save some for the week. We got rid of the rest of the candy she collected and purchased her an item from the store that she really wanted.
If you order these sweet treats now they will be here in time for Halloween festivities. Have you tried any of these? If so, let me know which ones are your favorite! Wishing you a Happy and Healthy Halloween!
Gina