The not so sweet taste of Halloween candy. I love decorating and celebrating Halloween, but I don't like the trickery that companies use to market Halloween candy to our precious little ones. Halloween candy can be loaded with trans fats, food dyes, high fructose corn syrup, sugar and empty calories. Here are some articles that I found very interesting and some better choices for Halloween goodies
It was difficult to come up with
just the “top 5” list of health offenders, because so many name brand candy
options are loaded with sugar, additives and artificial ingredients. But to
simplify things, we chose those candies that are highest in overall sugar
content and also contain trans fats—two strong factors making these candy choices a double-whammy
for health destroyers.
1. Skittles. These sweet-tart chewy
candies have one of the highest rates of sugar content out there. Each serving
contains a whopping 47 grams of sugar—that’s around 10 teaspoons of pure sugar.
And they also contain partially hydrogenated oils, which give the candies their
chewy, slippery feel.
2. 3 Muskateers. Right behind Skittles in high sugar content, 3 Muskateers clock in at 40 grams of sugar, around 8 teaspoons worth. Like most other Mars brand chocolates, these candy bars contain trans fats.
3. Starburst. These individually-wrapped,
fruity candies are loaded in both sugar and trans fats (sadly, making them
quite delicious). A serving runs 33 grams of sugar, or about 7 teaspoons.
4. Milky Way. Another Mars candy
bar, Milky Way has 35 grams of sugar, about 7 teaspoons, and contains trans
fats.
5. REESE’S Fast Break. At 30 grams
of sugar per serving (or about 6 teaspoons), and containing trans fats, you might do better to have a bit of pure milk or dark chocolate over this
overly-processed chocolate snack.
Wanted to add one more....Candy Corn, it's almost pure high fructose corn syrup and is calorie - intensive.
Food Dyes Can Be Scarier Than a Haunted House
...this is by Pamela Reinsel Cotter
Food dyes have been the focus of many studies throughout the
years, some of the latest report children's behavior problems can result, along
with problems caused by certain other additives found in candy.
"If your children act up after eating lots of Halloween
candy, you might be tempted to blame the sugar, but the most likely culprits
are petroleum-based food dyes," said Jane Hersey, national director of the
nonprofit Feingold Association, a charity that helps special-needs children.
A Food and Drug Administration panel recently concluded that
synthetic food dyes can have a detrimental effect on some children's behavior
but narrowly rejected requiring warning labels on foods containing these
additives.
Parents are cautioned to watch out for "harmful dyes"
such as Blue #1, Blue #2, Yellow #5, Yellow #6, Red #3, Red #40, Green #3 and
Orange B, and they should also help children avoid candies containing
artificial flavorings and the preservatives BHA, BHT and TBHQ.
Healthier Alternatives to Halloween Candy
Pass out a better treat
No dyes, no high fructose corn syrup, no hydrogenated oils,
no artificial flavors, and no trans fats!
| Organic Granola Bars - good source of fiber |
| A healthier "rice crispy" bar that's gluten free |
 |
| YummyEarth Organics makes allergy free treats with 100% natural colors, real fruit extracts , natural flavors and are Kosher |
 |
| The YummyEarth lollipops come in fun flavors like Googly Grape, Strawberry Smash, TooBerry Blueberry, Mango Tango and Wet Face Watermelon |
 |
| Mini packets of nut butters - Justin's makes almond, peanut and hazelnut butters with honey, vanilla and chocolate....if nut allergies are an issue try the seed butter below. |
| SunButter - sunflower seed butter is high is Vitamin E |
| Mini Bags of Pretzels |
| Endangered Species Bite Size Chocolates - ethically- sourced, all natural ingredients with a 72% cacao content. 10% of net purchases goes to support species, habitats, and humanity - another reason to pass out these treats! |
| Going to a Halloween Party? Or want a sweet treat for the neighborhood kiddos on Halloween Night? Make your own popcorn and add some special treats like healthy M&M's, Sundrops, nuts and raisins. |
Happy Halloween!!!
I am no expert, just a Mom who is passionate about learning more about the relationship between food and good health.
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