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Health

What Is the Healthiest Halloween Candy?

Trying to stay healthy but still want to indulge? Consider these sweets.

Key points

  • In general, eating candy in moderation is the best approach.
  • Halloween candy like Airheads, Sour Patch Kids, and Smarties in moderation make the list of top five healthiest candies.
  • Holiday peppermint candy may aid in digestion, kill bacteria, and help with headaches.

It is that time of year. The time to collect and eat candy, but what do you do if you are trying to be healthy and not add those additional pounds? After multiple reviews, here is a list of the top five Halloween or Holiday candies that you can enjoy in moderation without expanding your waistline.

5. Airheads Bars (15.6g): 60 calories, 11 grams of sugar, 0 grams of total fat

Airheads are a sticky treat that can damage your teeth. That said, they are low in calories and sugars, making them a healthier option. But Keep in mind this is for the mini version, so if you have a sweet tooth having one of these may not cause much harm and can satisfy that craving. Just be sure to brush your teeth afterward to prevent cavities. And on another note, airheads are also vegan.

Source: Photo by Polina Tankilevitch: Pexels
In general, eating candy in moderation is always best.
Source: Photo by Polina Tankilevitch: Pexels

4. Treat Size Sour Patch Kids: 120 calories, 22 grams of sugar, 0 grams of total fat

They're sour, they're sweet, and they're relatively healthy. But your dentist may not be happy because they can also do a number on your teeth. Sour candies have a high acidic content, which can break down tooth enamel. Be sure to brush your teeth immediately after to prevent this from happening.

3. Classic Tootsie Pop: 60 calories, 11 grams of sugar, 0 grams of total fat

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? According to several experiments on the Tootsie Roll website, anywhere from 144 to 411. This is partially why this is one of the "healthiest" Halloween treats: Because of the time it takes to finish, you can't overindulge. Not to mention, Tootsie Pops satisfy two cravings in one treat, the tootsie roll and the lollipop. And with very few calories and zero fat, it can not get much better than that.

2. Smarties: 25 calories, 6 grams of sugar, 0 grams of total fat

These candies are low in calories, sugar, and fat, Smarties are the clear winner when it comes to healthy candy. But, let's be honest, they're kind of boring and don't appeal to everyone.

Ultimately, if you're going to eat candy, you should eat something you actually want and will enjoy–regardless of calories. As long as you don't eat the whole bag in one sitting, eating any treat on this list is a healthy decision.

And coming in at 1. Peppermints have only 2 calories, 0 sugar, and 0 fat .5 gram of carb per candy with loads of health benefits.

Source: Photo by Monstera:pexels
Who would have know ingredients in peppermint could be so beneficial?
Source: Photo by Monstera:pexels

Did you know that peppermints help with digestion and may ease pain by preventing the smooth muscle from contracting? It also can help curb appetite and ease nausea.

One study found peppermint oil to help relieve migraines and headaches and was equivalent to taking 1,000mg of Tylenol by way of smooth muscle relaxation.

The oil from peppermint was also found to kill some bacteria and could aid in fighting infection. And lastly, peppermint oil was also found to aid in memory and cognitive function when compared to other essential oils.

So if you can not decide what candy to indulge in during this season, my vote would be peppermint!

References

Tootsie Roll Website: https://www.tootsie.com/howmanylick-experiments

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