Healthy Living

Saturday, November 28, 2009

5 Best Healthy Halloween Snacks and Treats

By Erin Semple and Chandni Jhunjhunwala

Looking for healthier options for your kids and neighborhood trick-or-treaters? Try these delicious and wholesome ideas.

1. Dark Chocolate Bites

Skip the milk chocolate and sneak antioxidant-rich dark chocolate into trick-or-treat bags. Dark chocolate contains a healthy dose of flavonoids known for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.

We Like: Organic Dark Chocolate Bug Bites
These delicious treats are all-natural and have a high cocoa content (72 percent). Get the adorable Halloween Treat Fun Pack for $6.72 per bag. Not a bad price for gourmet, socially-conscious chocolate. On the outside of the bag, trick-or-treaters can learn about the National Wildlife Federation and their Backyard Wildlife Habitat program. Available at Chocolatebar.com.

Plus: 13 Things Your Trick-or-Treater Won't Tell You

2. Organic Munchies

Let's face it, Halloween isn't the same without candy. But you can still do your bit for the environment and for the health of little ones by handing out preservative-free candy. Here's to a green, wholesome Halloween!

We Like: Organic FruitaBu Smooshed Fruit Flats, Rolls and Twirls
They are made with over 90 percent organic fruit and no artificial additives. They come in a plethora of flavors including apple, raspberry, strawberry and grape. Much better than store bought fruit roll-ups and Twizzlers, don't you think? Available at Drugstore.com. $4.49 for a box of 6-0.7 oz (21g) twirls.

Plus: 7 Spooky Halloween Treat Recipes

3. Chocolate-Dipped Figs

Did you know that dried figs are a nutritional powerhouse and pack more health benefits than most dried fruits? They’re full of fiber, calcium, potassium, and iron. Plus, figs are sweet to boot, especially when dipped in chocolate!

We Like: Figamajigs
These fat-free fig bars are covered in dark chocolate. They come flavored with almonds, raspberries and mint and were named Healthiest Candy of 2006 by Forbes and given a Healthy Snack Award by Shape in 2007. “These are very appealing to kids,” says Cynthia Sass, co-author of The Ultimate Diet Log. Available at Figamajigs.com. $23.85 for a box of 15 bars.

Plus: 7 Super Easy Halloween Decorations

4. Soy Treats

Soy snacks can contain up to a whopping 7 grams of protein plus they aren't loaded with bad fats. We'll admit that soy doesn't sound very appealing. But if you go for the sweeter variety, you'll be surprised at how much it tastes like candy.

We Like: Genisoy Sweet Crisps Chocolate
Available at your local Whole Foods or at Genisoy.com. $2.69 for a bag.


Plus: The Ultimate Halloween Menu

5. Gummy Candy

Kids will spell out yummy as they devour this fat-free treat. Packed with nutrients and antioxidants, gummy letters are a healthy choice. For extra fun, try making your own gummy letters from jell-o and cutting utensils.

We Like: Haribo Alphabet Letters
Available at Amazon.com. 5-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12) for $13.11.



Plus: Get 5 More Healthy Halloween Snacks and Treats

Images: www.chocolatebar.com, www.drugstore.com, www.figamajigs.com, www.genisoy.com, and www.amazon.com
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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 10
  • Dina's Avatar
    Posted by Dina Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:14pm PDT

    My kids love alphabet letters and would never even know they are healthy - healthier than most candy anyway. Great list!

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  • chandnij's Avatar
    Posted by chandnij Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:15pm PDT

    Love these! I'm a fan of genisoy.

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  • Kristine's Avatar
    Posted by Kristine Mon Oct 19, 2009 7:20am PDT

    I agree, the organic FruitaBu is a great alternative to fruit roll up and the packaging is similar to fruit by the foot. I want to try the chocolate-dipped figs. This is a great list!

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  • nadia's Avatar
    Posted by nadia Mon Oct 19, 2009 7:39am PDT

    good alternatives to the usual sugar options

    Report Abuse
  • Liz's Avatar
    Posted by Liz Mon Oct 19, 2009 7:47am PDT

    There are Gen Soy crisps in my office vending machine... didn't know they were healthy. May have to give them a try now!

    Report Abuse
  • MaryFeng's Avatar
    Posted by MaryFeng Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:02am PDT

    I'm all about organic cocoa, natural fruits and nuts. Thanks for new healthy snack options.

    Report Abuse
  • Zeplin522's Avatar
    Posted by Zeplin522 Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:29am PDT

    Its Halloween, it comes once a year. You dont have to eat

    all the candy.

    Report Abuse
  • another hockey fan's Avatar
    Posted by another hockey fan Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:24am PDT

    While these are great for regular snacks, I think most kids feel the same way I did about getting raisins in my Halloween sack. Bring on the real deal! Halloween is fun and part of that fun is the trick or treating and the candy, why deny them of that? Retailers have already downsized the candy bars (Fun size anyone?) so if you think they will eat too much, wait till they get home and tell them they can have a few pieces but that you are taking the rest and giving them a few pieces every night, once a week whatever....

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  • mom2's Avatar
    Posted by mom2 Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:28am PDT

    I try to eat healthy 90% of the time but I have to admit I LOVE sugar candy, so thank goodness the gummy candy was on this list!

    Report Abuse
  • CarlyL's Avatar
    Posted by CarlyL Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:31pm PDT

    I get at least a hundred kids at my door on Halloween. Haribou gummy candies are more than $1 per serving, while the Figamajigs are closer to $1.50 per serving! I can't afford to spend $150 on Halloween candy! Give me a break! When I buy a big multi-pack of bite-sized brand-name "chocolate bars" like Mars, Smarties or Hersheys, they usually average TEN CENTS per serving. How about presenting some AFFORDABLE healthy options?

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