Top 5 Scary Halloween Treats to Avoid

halloween candy bucket

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Halloween candy

Photo by: Jennifer Barrow

Jennifer Barrow

It’s virtually impossible to avoid sugar during trick-or-treat season. Sweet treats can be part of a healthy diet, but some are more spooky than others -- pass on these 5 types of candy and you’ll be off to a smart start.

1. Say No To Super Sticky

Taffy, gellies and other sticky candies can cement themselves to your teeth. This combo of stiff and sticky can damage teeth, cause cavities, and ruin orthodontic work -- it could turn in an expensive dental bill.

2. Pass On Powdery Messes
Sticks and packets filled with colored powders are tremendously popular with kids (and some adults)! They’re nothing but mouthfuls of colored sugar, which makes them among the worst for teeth -- the tiny particles get into every nook and cranny! And you’ve got to wonder: are all those neon-colored artificial colors safe?
3. Forget About Full Sizes

An average full-size candy bar will set you back 300 calories! “Fun size” bars come in closer to 80 per piece. Stick to mini bars and packages for built-in portion control.

4. Ditch the Dare-Devil Candy

Excessively hot, sour, or bizarre-flavored candies (earwax-flavored jelly beans, anyone?) are more trick than treat. These types of extreme candies can be dangerous for the mouth, throat, stomach and digestive system.

5. Super-Sized Chewies

Those super-sized gumballs, hard candies and gummies are notorious choking hazards. We suggest making them scarce.

Smart Tricks For Treats

Since giving out apples to trick-or-treaters will never be popular – try some of these healthier options:

  • Chocolate or yogurt covered raisins
  • Cocoa-dusted almonds
  • Trail mix with chocolate chips
  • (For the older kids) Sugar-free bubble gum
TELL US: What Halloween treats are you frightened of?

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition. See Dana's full bio »

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