Which Halloween Candies are the Least Scary?

peanut butter cups

istock, peanut butter cup, chocolate, dessert

Doorbells across America are about to start ringing! But for the health-conscious among us, there's no need to be scared off by all sweets. Before digging into bags of sugary loot, check out this lineup of candies.

Least Scary

Choosing these treats will make your Halloween a little less spooky.

1) Mini Peanut Butter Cups

Opt for the bite-size version of this oh-so popular candy. Better yet, make your own.

2)  Sugar-Free Gum

Chomping on this treat after meals actually helps prevent cavities.

3) Petite Lollipops

Nothing dumb about Dum Dums and other small-portion pops, which have about 25 calories each.

4) Peanut-Filled Chocolates

You get a dose of healthy fat when there's a whole peanut in every bite. Peanut M&Ms, for example, have extra protein and fiber too.

5) Dark Chocolate

Chocolate fans can rejoice when treat-givers shell out tiny squares of chocolate ( the darker the better).

Scary

Be a little more frightened of these treats.

1) Sour and Chewy Candies

A double threat to teeth! These types of candies in any shape or form are bad for tooth enamel and invite cavities.

2) Filled Lollipops

Whether it's bubble gum or another chewy candy housed in a hard-candy casing, it's two times worse for teeth and waistlines. Scary on a stick!

3) Candy Corn

Ever looked at the ingredient list on these classic confections? Cloying sweetness and artificial colors can take the fun out of any goody bag.

4)  Powder

Paper sticks filled with sugary powder will bring back childhood memories ... of the dentist's drill.

5) Fun-Size Candies

Be cautious with so-called "fun"-size bars. Though small, they range from 80 to 100 calories each -- not a free pass to eat endless amounts. Gobble too many, and it won’t be so much fun when you get on the scale.

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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