8 Best Halloween Candies That Dietitians Love
Nutrition Experts Eat Halloween Candy, Too — Here Are 8 Brands They're Trick-or-Treating For
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When Halloween season hits, there are suddenly rich and decadent sweets all over the place: getting swapped around at school, sitting on every desk at work, looking tempting in your own front hallway, just waiting for trick-or-treaters. Trying to abstain in the name of being healthy just isn't always worth it. "Foods like candy are joy foods," said registered dietitian nutritionist Krista King, MS, LDN, of Composed Nutrition. "They provide joy and enjoyment, which is an important aspect of food we don't touch on enough."
Depriving yourself of the foods you crave can actually backfire on you, added Rachel Fine, MS, RD, of To the Pointe Nutrition. You can try swapping candy out for healthier alternatives (looking at you, dried fruit), but there's a high chance that'll just make the craving and the guilt even stronger, eventually leading to overindulgence of the treat you really wanted.
You're allowed to enjoy Halloween treats without shaming yourself for it — we promise. Case in point: registered dietitians eat Halloween candy, too, and we know because we asked them for their favourites! Some chose satisfying options like Snickers and Reese's (the most popular choice) that can fill you up a little more effectively. Others went straight for the childhood favourites like candy corn. The takeaway: it's OK to choose the candy you really love, even if it's not the "healthy" choice. "The key is to be mindful; eat the candy slowly, savor it," said Diana Gariglio-Clelland, a registered dietitian at Balance One Supplements. "Halloween comes once a year, and if you're really craving candy that you typically avoid, I say go ahead and enjoy it."
Kit Kat
Rachel's personal favourite Halloween candy? KitKat bars ($10), she said. "I encourage my clients that the healthiest Halloween candy is always the one that will satisfy you most," she explained. Try choosing your favourite over a "healthier" alternative; you might feel happier, more full, and less likely to overeat.
100 Grand
Krista told POPSUGAR that she loves 100 Grand Bars ($3). "I love the crunchy outside and caramel in the middle," she said. Growing up, she remembered, "it was fun to get those because they were more rare than some other candies people were giving out." During Halloween, the holiday season, and beyond, Krista said it's important to continue eating consistently throughout the day. "It's easy to think that skipping a meal will allow permission to eat more candy," she said, but that makes it easier to overeat. Make sure each meal is balanced with protein, fibre, and healthy fats.
Snickers
Snickers ($29 for a three-pound pack) have a reputation for being satisfying, and these dietitians concur. "I am a huge Snickers fan and I love their fun-size bars during the Halloween season," said registered dietitian nutritionist Frances Largeman-Roth, who's based in Brooklyn, NY. "There's something really satisfying about the combo of chocolate, peanuts, and caramel — yum!" From a nutritional standpoint, Krista Linares, RDN, recommended any kind of candy with nuts or peanut butter. "While they still have a lot of sugar, the extra protein and fat from the nuts is more satisfying, making it easier for you to move on after one or two pieces."
Don't waste time on treats that aren't your absolute favourite, Krista added. If you start getting a stomachache or feeling full or thirsty, "it's time to move on and drink some water," she told POPSUGAR.
Dove Chocolates
KeyVion Miller, RDN, gave us a list of her favourite candies: Dove chocolates ($15), Twix, Jolly Ranchers, and even gummy bears. "No, not necessarily healthy, but they are still my favourites!" she told POPSUGAR. "I believe in telling people to enjoy a little of what they really like for a short period of time." Staying healthy is a long-term goal that won't go off the rails just because you eat candy for a couple of days. Remember to continue eating plenty of fruits and vegetables while you treat yourself, KeyVion added.
Peanut M&M's
Peanut M&M's ($8) have always been the Halloween treat of choice for Angela Goscilo, MS, RD. "They remind me of trick-or-treating as a kid," she told POPSUGAR. She recommends enjoying sweet treats all year-round and especially during Halloween season; it's totally possible to do it while staying healthy and active. If portion control is hard, she recommended the mini, fun-size packs for a treat with just enough sweetness.
See's Candies Lollypops
"My favourite Halloween candy by far are See's Candies Lollypops," said Adrienne Youdim, MD, a nutrition specialist at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre. See's Lollypops ($27) and many other brands have low calories and sugar compared to many other sweet treats, Dr. Youdim said, especially high-sugar gummy bears.
Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins
Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins ($20 for a 2-pound pack) and the classic cups were the most popular RD recommendation we got, and for good reason. Emily Tills, RD, said she loves the combination of chocolate with salty peanut butter, with provides a little bit of protein. "It's going to fill you up and keep you fuller longer," she said. Granted, the amount of protein in one peanut butter cup is going to be pretty small, said Diana Gariglio-Clelland, an RD at Balance One Supplements. Still, "having some protein with sugary candy helps balance blood sugars a little bit more," she said.
Candy Corn
Candy corn is one of the more controversial of Halloween candies, but you can't deny they're also one of the few that really scream "Halloween," as Dana Plummer, RDN, puts it. She loves the classic Brach's Candy Corn ($8) because the nostalgia factor, and as a bonus, she's found that just a small handful satisfies her sweet tooth. "I really only crave them this time of year, and no other brand will do — I've tried!" Dana told POPSUGAR.
