Let’s get one thing straight. There is no such thing as a healthy Halloween treat, unless you’re giving our apples. But knowing what you’re putting in your body is half the battle when it comes to eating a well-balanced diet, and most people can’t get through Halloween without at least one dip into the candy bowl. Remember that, if you’re boosting your sugar and fat intake with candy, it’s a good idea to take a supplement that can help your body process those increases, such as magnesium, which regulates blood sugar.
While not every Halloween candy is ranked in this list, many of the most popular brands from each type of candy are included to give some perspective on just what they offer.
Smarties (Most Nutritional Value)
These little chalky pucks of sweetness rank at the top of the list for most nutritional value among Halloween candies. And by “most nutritional value”, we actually mean far lower in calories, sugar, and fat. A roll, or even two, isn’t going to break your diet, so enjoy them in moderation this season and you’ll be square!
Laffy Taffy & Airheads
This is where the idea of candy nutrition gets a bit “sticky.” Chewy treats may be low in calories and surprisingly low in sugar, but the real issue is with their impact on dental health. Pick your battles when it comes to sour and chewy candies. Are you looking for something better for your teeth or better for your belly?
M&Ms, Tootsie Rolls, & Candy Corn
You might think a little morsel of chocolate isn’t too much to fret over, but the amount of sugar in these bad boys will leave your teeth aching. While one or two individual pieces may not be too concerning, a small bag of 10-20 pieces starts tipping the balance.
Snickers, Reese’s Cups, & Twix (Least Nutritional Value)
When it comes to everyone’s favorite candy bars, it may be depressing to realize that you’re basically eating a hunk of sugar and fat. While nuts may add a bit of protein and fiber to the mix, they do little good against the caramel and chocolate they are covered in. Reese’s Cups, for instance, have very little peanut in them, and the delicious insides of the cup are actually more sugar than nuts. Among these three, Snickers is a bit more nutritious, due to its full peanut halves, but frankly, anything with chocolate and caramel is right out for number one.