Halloween Candy Alternatives

Every year, I try to stop myself from eating Halloween candy. ‘It shouldn’t be that hard,’ I tell myself. You’re legally an adult, almost 20 years old. You shouldn’t be gorging yourself with jolly ranchers and chocolate at midnight. It’s that time in my life where I should be switching over to fruit leather and raisins, with an occasional square of dark chocolate when I want to “be bad.” However, every year, I end up giving in and feeling sick on Halloween because I eat eight Reese’s cups in a row. I eat healthy for a week or two, but I then get jealous handing out candy to the kids trick or treating. I’m literally giving away hundreds of pieces of candy and I can’t eat any! It can make a person insane. Halloween night, I’m usually all “F* that! I deserve to have one piece of candy.” Which turns into 20.

I’ve realized that I can’t stop myself from eating treats during the holidays all together. I’m not a robot, that’s impossible. If you’re anything like me, you’ll just end up bingeing on candy every year. But there are a few simple switches you can make to stay away from 200-calories-in-one-bite candies that are filled with random chemicals that basically translate to UNHEALTHY.

M&M’s to Dark Chocolate Almonds

M&M’s, the most classic Halloween treats, are completely devoid of anything nutritious. Sure, it’s okay to eat a pack of M&M’s once in awhile, but if you’re craving them and want to eat something semi-nutritious, try Blue Diamond’s Cocoa Dusted Almonds. They are salty and sweet and are filled with protein and fiber. Plus, they have 20 grams less sugar than M&M’s. If you’re looking for something a little more sweet than that, you can make your own dark chocolate covered almonds by melting dark chocolate over almonds and putting them in the fridge. Either way, these contain less chemicals and sugar, and more protein than the traditional packaged M&M’s candy.

Reese’s to Homemade PB & Chocolate

Personally, my favorite candy is Reese’s, if you couldn’t already tell from the introduction. Unfortunately, they are over 200 calories a package and filled with saturated fat. However, you can still get that addictive chocolate peanut butter combination in a healthier way. I like to dip banana chunks in organic peanut butter or almond butter and microwaved dark chocolate chips. You can eat them hot, or put them the freezer. If you buy dark chocolate, there’s less sugar and fat added, but it will still taste just as good. You can also use strawberries (I promise peanut butter and strawberries taste good) if you don’t like bananas or apples. This way, you’re consuming fruit, peanut butter, and chocolate that hasn’t been processed with added sugars.

Starbursts to Welch’s Fruit Snacks

If you’re more of a fan of Starbursts, or really any fruity and sour candy, a healthier substitute is Welch’s Fruit Snacks. Welch’s contain less calories, half the sugar, and no fat compared to Starbursts. While Welch’s Fruit snacks are processed with things like corn syrup and food coloring, anything you can make at home just won’t compare to Skittles or Starburst. If you try to pretend that frozen grapes or fruit leather is a fun treat, you’re just playing yourself.

Candy Corn to Pumpkin Protein Balls

I know what you’re thinking- How do pumpkin protein balls have anything to do with candy corn? Well, they don’t really, but in a sense they can be a healthy replacement. If you’re craving a holiday-specific treat, candy corn is not your best option. Candy corn is straight processed sugar, and there isn’t a healthy substitute unless you want to spend hours buying ingredients and cooking basically the same thing at home. But if you’re looking for something that is Halloween-specific and kind of healthy, pumpkin protein balls are your best bet. All you need is pumpkin puree, nut butter of your choice, protein powder of your choice, pumpkin pie spice, oats, and honey. First, you mix the oats, protein powder, and pumpkin pie spice together, and set that aside. Then microwave the honey and nut butter together and mix that with the pumpkin. Lastly, you mix it all together and form the dough into balls and refrigerate. This is a sweet, yummy dessert that will make you feel like fall without making you feel guilty at the same time.

All of these ideas are quick and easy to make on a college-budget in a college dorm room. While it’s fine to treat yourself to candy to celebrate Halloween, try one of these alternatives on the days when you’re craving Halloween candy and don’t want to eat 500 calories worth of chemicals, saturated fat, and sugar.