By Eileen Ferrer, Skinny Gene Nutritionist<\/p>\n
Do you have a sweet tooth?\u00a0 From time to time, I need my candy fix.\u00a0 My weakness is taffy or anything chocolate.\u00a0 Typically, I do not give into temptation; however, this is the time of orange and black, not to be mistaken with \u201cOrange is the New Black,\u201d but this is the season where there is no shortage of candy.\u00a0 As orange and black themed packaging overloads the aisles of many stores, offices, and homes, there is temptation everywhere.\u00a0 According to the National Retail Foundation, Americans purchase about 600 million pounds of candy each year for Halloween, which is equivalent to the weight of 6 Titanic ships.\u00a0 The average of American households will spend $47 on Halloween candy.\u00a0 So where does all that candy go?\u00a0 Well, the average American will eat 3.4 pounds of candy over Halloween.\u00a0 The consumption of this much candy is not good for your teeth or waistline, as most candies are high in added calories, sugar and fat.<\/p>\n
Whether or not this is the one time out of the year you indulge in sweets as you pick your favorites from your child\u2019s plastic pumpkin or from the desks of your co-workers, you do have options to make a healthier choice.\u00a0 Here are a few popular Halloween candies that have been deemed a healthier or better option compared to their sweet counterparts.<\/p>\n
Reese\u2019s Peanut Butter Cups vs. Snickers<\/strong><\/em><\/span> Reese\u2019s Peanut Butter Cups has more protein, but compared to two fun size pieces of Snickers, Snickers contain less total fat, saturated fat, and 10 less calories.<\/p>\n Peanut M&M\u2019s vs. Skittles<\/strong><\/em><\/span> A snack size bag of Skittles contains 61 calories.\u00a0 Though the same size bag of Peanut M&M\u2019s contains more calories, 91 calories, it is lower on the glycemic index, and will release sugars slower into the bloodstream; whereas Skittles will spike your blood sugars at an increased rate.<\/p>\n Twix vs. Kit Kat<\/strong><\/em><\/span> A Kit Kat has 20 less calories, and less saturated fat and sodium.<\/p>\n Candy Corn vs. Tootsie Roll<\/em><\/strong><\/span> Candy corn one of the most popular candy choices during Halloween, there is even a day designated to it; October 30th is National Candy Corn Day.\u00a0 However, Tootsie Rolls and candy corn have the same nutritional value if you were to consume 26 pieces of candy corn or 6 pieces of the bite sized Tootsie Rolls.<\/p>\n Butterfinger or York Peppermint Pattie<\/strong><\/em><\/span> For three fun size York Peppermint Patties, it contains 150 calories, 3 grams of fat and 15 miligrams of sodium.\u00a0 Two fun size Butterfinger bars contains 200 calories, 8 grams of fat, and 100 milligrams of sodium.<\/p>\n Starburst or Jolly Rancher<\/strong><\/em><\/span> Consuming three pieces of Starburst candies has fewer calories compared to a Jolly Rancher.\u00a0 However, since Jolly Ranchers are hard candies it takes longer to finish, and you will be less likely to eat more.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Sweet Tarts or Smarties<\/strong><\/em><\/span> Do you sometimes think who eats Smarties?\u00a0 I know I do, and now you know why.\u00a0 For an individual roll of Smarties it contains 25 calories, and 5 grams of sugar.\u00a0 As for Sweet Tarts, it contains 50 calories and 13 grams of sugar for 8 pieces.<\/p>\n Pay Day vs. Milky Way<\/strong><\/em><\/span> In two fun-size pieces of Milky Way, it contains 50% less fat and sodium.<\/p>\n Almond Joy vs. Mounds<\/strong><\/em><\/span> It\u2019s a tie between the two.\u00a0 For each fund size Mounds and Almond Joy, they both contain about 80 calories, have equal amounts of fat, 4.5 grams, saturated fat, 3 grams, and carbohydrates, 10 grams.<\/p>\n While the average amount of candy consumed is more than three pounds during Halloween, just remember moderation is important.\u00a0 You can curb your sweet tooth with juicy fruit, low-fat yogurt with honey, or dark chocolate if you need a chocolate kick.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Eileen Ferrer, Skinny Gene Nutritionist Do you have a sweet tooth?\u00a0 From time to time, I need my candy fix.\u00a0 My weakness is taffy or anything chocolate.\u00a0 Typically, I do not give into temptation; however, this is the time of orange and black, not to be mistaken with \u201cOrange is the New Black,\u201d but… <\/p>\n
\nBetter Choice<\/span>: Snickers<\/em><\/p>\n
\nBetter Choice<\/span>: Peanut M&M\u2019s<\/p>\n
\nBetter Choice<\/span>: Kit Kat<\/p>\n
\nBetter Choice<\/span>: It\u2019s a tie.<\/p>\n
\nBetter Choice<\/span>: York Peppermint Pattie<\/p>\n
\nBetter Choice<\/span>: Jolly Rancher<\/p>\n
\nBetter Choice<\/span>: Smarties<\/p>\n
\nBetter Choice<\/span>: Milky Way<\/p>\n
\nBetter Choice<\/span>: Another tie.<\/p>\n