-Amy Schwartz

 

Snickers, Jolly Ranchers, and Reese’s OH MY!

With October over halfway done, Halloween is on everyone’s mind. ‘Tis the season for wanting to both look great in the costume you picked as well as stuff your face with lots of candy. While this seems like an oxymoron, it doesn’t have to be! To feel great in your sexy Cheetah costume, while still not missing out on the candy eating fun, try some healthy swaps for your go-tos.

Nervous to trick or treat? Here are some tricks for your treats:

Snickers

Ah, Snickers: a nutty, crunchy and gooey candy bar that is a favorite during the Halloween season. While each layer packs on a different texture and element to the Snickers experience, the layers also pack on 20 grams of added sugar. Instead, try this recipe that is sweetened with banana, dates, and dark chocolate. They are completely vegan, completely healthy, and completely delicious. Get the recipe here

Frozen Grapes for Jolly Ranchers

Jolly Ranchers are such a staple sucking candy for Halloween. The grape kind, especially, is fun to eat as it leaves your tongue with a fruity taste and a purple stain. However, this purple stain comes from questionable and artificial coloring! Real grapes can taste equally as delicious as Jolly Ranchers, and a lot more nutritious, if you add a little sugar on the outside of the fruit and put them in the freezer for a few hours. You won’t even realize you’re eating fruit, and you definitely won’t miss the artificial dye or excess sweeteners.

York Peppermint Patties

Halloween would not be the same without minty and refreshing York peppermint patties. With all the rich chocolate and fruity candies you receive, peppermint patties add a nice minty contrast and are a great palate cleanser. This healthy take on the patty is made with only six, all natural ingredients and are only a little more than 100 calories a piece! Get the recipe here.

Jelly Candies

Chuckles and other fruity gummies have been a Halloween favorite for quite some time. They’re old fashioned and fool proof, with every bite being a chewy and sweet treat! Instead of chewing on extra sugar and artificial coloring, though, make your own with 100% fruit juice and not a lot of additional sweeteners! Get the recipe here.

Reese’s Peanut Butter

Obviously, there is truly no better combination than peanut butter and chocolate. The salty and savory nutty flavor with rich chocolate is so dreamy. While Reese’s are made with a lot of preservatives and sweeteners such as Dextrose, this recipe swaps in maple sugar and honey. Add a little organic peanut butter and some raw cacao powder and you’ve got yourself a healthy peanut butter cup! Get the recipe here.

 

Don’t let yourself be scared of losing your health kick this Halloween. When the bags of chocolates and fruity treats say “BOO!” you will know what to do.