It’s that time of year again, when orange bags teeming with crunchy, chocolaty, chewy goodness overflow out of the candy aisle, to the front of the supermarket and into impulse buy wagons. While these treats are no more tasty than the everyday candy fare that you try to ignore, they have the added lure factor of getting it “for the kids.” Since keeping snacks on hand for mini goblins and witches is the acceptable thing to do, stock up–but on the better stuff–both for them, and for your leftover filled-to-the-top candy bowls.
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HYDROGENATED OIL (AND ADDED SUGAR)
Although most companies are trying to adhere to a trans-fat-free way of existence, you still need to peek at the nutrition label to figure out if bags contain the toxic ingredient that can extend shelf life, but also raise your LDL (bad cholesterol) and lower your HDL (the good guy). As a general rule, to cut back on calories, fat and sugar, the smaller the size the better. Stick with “snack size” and “fun size” options:
Mini Dots, 70 calories, 1 box
York Peppermint Patty Pumpkin, small size 50 calories each
Raisinettes, fun size: 56 calories each
Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzels Snaps 100 Calorie Packs
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ALLERGY FREE
Most schools are “no peanut” zones these days, so it’s a good idea to consider this when buying for your visitors. Peanut Free Planet’s candy bars, trail mixes and chocolates are all peanut free and holiday appropriate with their spider, mummy and bug shapes.
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NATURAL, BUT…
We like trail mix. It has that sweet and salty thing going on and is actually filled with some healthful nutrients in its nuts and dried fruits. However, the portion sizes on these babies deserve a close paying attention to. A cup could of trail mix could add up to 700 calories and 44 grams of fat with added sugar and sodium depending on the specific content. Aim for the individual 1 oz. size bags with 150 calories or less. For the stay at home crowd, make it yourself.
Our favorite mix: Combine a pound of raisins (or craisins), unsweetened pineapple rings, raw sunflower seeds, raw almonds or walnuts and toss together. One handful clocks in at 150 calories, 8 grams of fat, 12 grams of sugar, 1 gram of fiber with some protein, calcium and iron.
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ECO-FRIENDLY
Because you don’t want to be the neighbor that gives out fruit, dole out individual packs of Surf Sweets.-eco-friendly, gluten and allergy free candies (made from organic and natural ingredients) instead. These chews are loaded with 100 percent of the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Vitamin C and are only 120-130 calories, have 22 grams of sugar (yes, this is high so share it or save 1/2 for tomorrow!), zero fat and cholesterol.
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IGNORING YOUR CRAVING
If you’re craving a chunky chocolate chip cookie and are eating plain almonds instead, your taste buds won’t be tricked. They’ll just stomp their little glands until they get what they want. Rather than trying to eat the “healthier” option (and eventually doubling up on calories), decide which lip-smacking snack you want to have and dig in…a little. Just try to keep it to one serving (below 150 calories).
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ENGLISH MUMMIES
Courtesy of Disney FamilyFun Magazine
Spread a tablespoon of pizza sauce onto half of an English muffin. Set olive slices in place for eyes and add round slices of green onion or bits of red or green pepper for pupils. Lay strips of cheese (pull-apart is easiest) across the muffin for the mummy’s wrappings. Bake at 350° until the cheese is melted and the muffin is toasty, about 10 minutes.
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