If you’re wondering if you have the right blog, don’t worry…no, I don’t think there’s such a thing as healthy candy.
“Healthy” means “better than alternatives.” This means they’re made from real food ingredients, without artificial colors, additives, artificial sweeteners, or any of the other junk found in common candy. Plus, you can make your own healthier “candy.”
I still prefer candy-free presents and experiences whenever possible, even on Halloween. But thanks to companies using better ingredients to make candy, our family can participate in our neighborhood’s trick-or-treating festival (without resorting to handing out seaweed snacks). Although I think it’s delicious too).
Wait a minute…is healthy candy good for you?
Considering the negative health effects of sugar…no, definitely not. Treats like hard candies or gummy candies with added sugar (even those labeled as sugar-free) aren’t the healthiest.
I’ve been criticized for my stance on sugar. (But you can’t help what science says.) There were quite a few years where I missed parties and trick-or-treating altogether.
I’ve experimented with different approaches to Halloween (the ultimate candypalooza) over the years. As my kids got older, I decided that instead of refusing, I could use Halloween as an opportunity for my kids to practice making good food choices.
Now that more companies are making better candy options (with ingredients I actually recognize), I’ve found some favorites that my kids love and can live with. is completed. I think mixing these (in moderation) with lots of non-candy alternatives makes for a fun, creative, and healthy Halloween that’s even better than the original tradition.
Healthier candy (and non-candy) alternatives for trick-or-treating
I usually make my own candy or chocolate candy bars when I’m eating together, but that’s not great for trick-or-treating. If you’re looking for healthier store-bought candy, here are some that passed our tests.
Of course, you won’t find many of these at your local grocery store. I frequently use my Thrive Market membership to stock up. It’s cheap, has a wide variety of products, and is convenient. Amazon is also a good place to find them. You may have also seen candy options at your local health food store that have reduced sugar and increased health benefits.
All of the treats below are individually wrapped for trick-or-treating. What’s more, the neighborhood kids will probably like it better than the junk stuff. You can offer healthier options so they can satisfy their sweet tooth.
Start with a healthy diet
Good stuff first, then junk? This also applies to our house on Halloween. These are our favorite Halloween-themed meals and snacks that are high in protein and loaded with healthy fats and fiber. These low-carb ingredients will help everyone feel full and avoid sugar rushes.
organic spooky fruit snacks
These gummy packs get their color and flavor from real ingredients like pear juice and carrot juice. Very different from most commercial candies, these gummy bears are organic and gluten-free.
fruit leather strip
Remember the school lunch days? This version uses real fruit and skips the corn syrup. It’s also plant-based and vegan-friendly for those who don’t want to deal with the gelatin found in many gummy snacks (although I happen to like gelatin!).
grain-free crackers
Give your kids a break from sweet treats with these delicious grain-free crackers. They never know they are nutritious. These are individually wrapped so they can be easily distributed as trick-or-treaters. If you have to worry about nut allergies, please note that it is made using almonds.
popcorn snack pack
We don’t make popcorn often, but when we do, we choose gluten-free and non-GMO varieties. Kids and adults alike will love the “buttery” flavor of coconut oil and pink Himalayan salt. Low calorie with only 50 calories per bag.
Peanut butter cup (no peanut butter)
No Halloween trick-or-treating list would be complete without peanut butter cups. These Dark Almond Butter Cups are a delicious alternative and (in my opinion) even better than the classic treat. If you want an allergen-friendly version that’s free of tree nuts, soy, and dairy, try these Dark Chocolate Sunflower Buttercups. Also available in peppermint and milk chocolate flavors.
tori and howard candy
These chewy fruit candies look exactly like the popular Starburst candies, but they’re made with organic ingredients and no artificial flavors or colors. Plus, creative flavors will appeal to adults too, including Meyer Lemon & Raspberry, Pomegranate & Nectarine, and Blood Orange & Honey. It is also rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant. Tory & Howard offers a large selection of non-GMO and organic hard candies.
Best Buy: Natural Lollipop
I know that buying natural and organic products can go way over your budget, but this time I have no excuses. I saved these natural Yum Earth lollipops for last. Contains 250 pieces of organic, real fruit-flavored candy for less than 20 cents each.
Trick-or-treat goods other than sweets
Again, I only offer these as an occasional replacement for special days when candy is unavoidable (like Halloween), not as a weekly/daily food for the kids.
Mix in plenty of non-edible treats and prizes so candy doesn’t become the centerpiece of the holiday. It’s cheap and kids will love it! Here are 26 ideas for what to give away besides free candy on Halloween.
Other healthy Halloween snacks and treats (kids will love!)
One strategy to limit candy is to give your kids plenty of nutritious food before going trick-or-treating. Instead of your usual dinner, make some Halloween-themed appetizers to share. We make sure it’s high in protein and fiber (and low in sugar).
There are countless ideas for healthy Halloween party food, but I’ve only tried ones that are simple and easy to prepare. I’m no Martha Stewart, but I’m happy to report that most of these took very little time and effort and turned out very well. Most of the time the kids were begging to take it and make it themselves (I let them!).
Here are some of our favorite Halloween party snacks and treats we’ve tried.
Also, keep homemade treats and non-candy prizes on hand for after trick-or-treating. Kids turn their not-so-ideal candies into cash to make fun Halloween jewelry, trinkets, and toys. Usually they have no problem with this and actually look forward to it.
Have a fun Halloween!
The bottom line is that sharing in our community with our friends and neighbors is a top priority for us. These options are as close to healthy candy as you can get and have made trick-or-treating possible for our family. By offering a better alternative to the usual Halloween candy fest, we hope to encourage kids to think positively about healthy eating and just focus on having fun.
What do you give out on Halloween? Have you found candy with better ingredients? Please share!
