Jodie Vanderslot | Health Editor
Featured image: This Halloween, don’t be tricked by sugar-heavy treats. | Victoria Fung
We all have our favourite Halloween candy—that one treat we trade our friends and younger siblings for, the one we ration and save for perhaps longer than we should.
It’s common knowledge that most of these candies are saturated with sugar, which can take a toll on one’s physical and dental health—however, if you do wish to indulge, there are a few health-wise choices you can make.
Milk Chocolate M&M’s contain four grams of fat and 11.5 grams of sugar, whereas peanut M&M’s, on the other hand, contain 4.7 grams of fat and 9.1 grams of sugar. Kit Kats may contain less fat—three grams—but they also contain seven grams of sugar.
When it comes to chocolate, dark is a better choice than milk. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that strengthen your heart and cognitive function.
When it comes to candy bars, Snickers is the way to go, as opposed to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Reese’s contains more protein, but also 6.5 grams of fat and 10.5 grams of sugar, whereas Snickers weighs in at four grams of fat and 8.5 grams of sugar.
Another well-loved treat, Starburst, contains 20 calories and 2.75 grams of sugar per piece. The hassle of unwrapping each individual candy will also prolong and delay consumption. Skittles consist of high levels of sugar—16 grams—as well as corn syrup and food dye, while Sour Patch Kids candies are each coated with citric and tartaric acids, and loaded with 13 grams of sugar—that’s more than one Krispy Kreme Glazed doughnut.
Sugar candies tend to be lower in calories than candy bars, though sticky and chewy candies are worse for the teeth.
For people with food allergies, the holiday can prove a bit more challenging. Many types of candy given out are either filled with nuts, or made unattractive with “may contain traces of” on their labels. Most packaging now aims to be safe and, as allergies are increasingly more common and growing in severity, individuals tend to be more conscious of their customers.
For vegans with a sweet tooth, treats such as Twizzlers, Rockets, Airheads, Sour Patch Kids, and Skittles—to name a few of the most popular—are all vegan-friendly.
In terms of shelf life, chocolate tends to last for a year, or sometimes longer—however, the texture of the chocolate will change, making it dry and difficult to chew. White spots may also begin to appear. This is the fat or sugar that has risen to the surface—a term known as “fat blooming,” which is caused by fluctuations in temperature and humidity. To avoid this whitening, it is best to preserve candy in a cool, dry place.
Treats with nuts or peanut butter will have a shorter expiration date, whereas those such as Starburst are able to last longer due to their consistency,. The general rule of thumb is that a year should be the limit for preservation.
At times, there’s no way of avoiding a sweet tooth. While there may not be any real healthy choice when it comes to Halloween candy, moderation and consciousness are key—just because a candy is small, doesn’t mean it’s calorie- or fat-free. Be sure to choose wisely!
