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Junk-Free Junk Food: 5 Must-Try Halloween Candies

best halloween candy

Sugar and fat are not the scary ingredients in Halloween candy. It’s the preservatives, genetically modified corn derivatives, artificial colors & flavors, and slave-laborer-grown cocoa that make me want to run away from every haunted house.

Thankfully, there are plenty of better options on the market now – most of which are tasty and kid-approved. The sweets below are a few of my favorites: they are indulgent but still made from real, natural and organic ingredients.

Of course, all candy should be eaten in moderation whether it’s natural or not – but who’s moderate on Halloween?! So go ahead, dig in. Then get back to your regular eating routine in the few days after this holiday.

best halloween candy

Trader Joe’s Jelly Beans

I’m somewhat of a jelly bean connoisseur, and I’m telling you – these beans take the cake. They come in a box with tons of flavors, all of which are delicious. And they are naturally colored and flavored, so you won’t have to worry about extra hyperactivity.

best halloween candy

Surf Sweets Sour Worms

These chewy worms are every bit as good as the conventional sour candy, but made with organic and GMO-free ingredients. The bears and orange slices are tasty too!

best halloween candy

Sunspire Milk Chocolate SunDrops

I’ll admit these don’t taste exactly like M&M’s, but after reading the ingredients in M&M’s (listed here), who cares?

best halloween candy

10 different artificial colors! Gross. The Sunspire ones will do the trick for decorating cookies or satisfying chocolate cravings.

best halloween candy

Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups

These blow Reese’s out of the water on both good ingredients AND taste. They are divine. It gets better: they are 100% organic and come individually wrapped in both milk & dark chocolate.

best halloween candy

best halloween candy

Chocolate Covered Raisins

I know these aren’t “new,” but if you opt for the milk or dark chocolate raisins sold in bulk bins at natural food stores, you’ll be surprised at how delicious they are. These versions are also made with better quality ingredients than Raisinets, so your opinion on chocolate covered raisins may change after tasting a new brand.

Any other “junk-free” junk food you love on Halloween? I’d love to hear!

7 Comments

  • kath
    October 24, 2013 at 9:09 am

    love this! I actually had no idea Eminem’s had so many artificial colors. Haha and that should be M&Ms.. funny voice text!

  • The Healthy Apple
    October 24, 2013 at 2:47 pm

    I love Justin’s Nut Butter Cups; they are amazing!!! Great post Amelia; thanks for sharing. Everyone needs to have alternatives to the junk!
    xox

  • Amelia
    October 28, 2013 at 7:51 am

    Yes! Thanks Amie!

  • Amelia
    October 28, 2013 at 7:51 am

    Hahaha, love that translation!

  • Amanda Herwaldt Cowan
    October 29, 2013 at 6:38 pm

    We also like the Yummy Earth lollipops. That’s what we’re handing out, in addition to some of those glow sticks and halloween stickers and tattoos. There is also that other brand of candy called Unreal or Unjunked.. http://getunreal.com/ My hubby and I treated ourselves to their pouches of chocolate candies last time we went to the movies. We thought they were better than M&Ms! They have a few other varieties as well, but I haven’t tried them. I wish they had them in smaller servings to give out for Halloween.

  • Amelia
    October 30, 2013 at 10:22 am

    Unreal is a good option too, Amanda – I agree! I just find that the Justin’s and Sunspire brands taste better. Some of the Unreal stuff tastes a little weird to me, and all their candy has added fiber which I don’t really understand…after all, it’s candy!

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