HEALTH

Eat Right

Candy Bin Dos and Don'ts

Halloween is right around the corner and everywhere ya look there’s tonsa candy. What’s a girl to do? We’ve got the deets on which treats are sweet on your bod and which are anything but. Keep reading to make your Halloween healthier.
 
Hard Candies are a Li’l Bit Better
We’re not saying you have to stick to ho-hum Werther’s. But goodies like Runts and SweeTarts have way fewer calories than their chocolate-y counterparts.
 
Make Yours Mint
Refreshing mint-y chocolates (like York Peppermint Patties) are a lot lighter than most regular chocolate bars.
 
Be Skeptical of Skittles
These rainbow-inspired sweeties don’t look like much. But take a glance at the nutrition facts and you’ll spy they’re stacked with sugar. If you want something chewy and fruity, go for organic fruit snacks or, at the very least, some Swedish Fish.
 
Opt for Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is better for your heart so if you’re deciding between a pile of Hershey’s Kisses or Godiva squares, go for the ones with a high amount of cocoa.
 
Smaller is Better, but Watch Your Portions
Obvi, skipping the king size Snickers bar is key. But when plowing through a ton of mini bars, make sure you don’t, say, scarf the whole bag. Just because a piece of candy is small, doesn’t mean you should have six.
 
Other Ways to Make Halloween Healthier  
 
Donate Your Treats
Pass by sweets you dislike. Sounds basic, but when there’s so much sugar in front of you, it’s easy to devour it all. If you hate coconut, say buh-bye to the Almond Joys and Mounds in your bag. Post trick-or-treating, round up all the candy you don’t l-o-v-e and trade it or give it away.
 
Trick-or-Treat for Charity
Who says you have to collect candy? Let your neighbors know ahead of time that you’ll be, say, asking for canned goods or moolah for a charity. You’ll still get to dress up, but can put a do-gooder spin on the day.
 
Have a Healthy Bash
If you and your girls are all super into eating right, why not pull a trickster prank and celebrate the healthy way? Instead of hitting up your neighbors for candy, stay in and whip up butternut squash soup, kale and lots of fruit salad. It’s not THAT scary, right?

 

Take Care of Those Chompers

It’s all well and good to be candy-conscious, but even the best of the sweet treat bunch have the power to hurt your teeth. After consuming your candy, rinse your mouth out with water. Be sure to end your day with a thorough flossing and brushing.

 

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by Katie Abbondanza and Natalie Vargas | 2/1/2016
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