I went to Target last week and was quickly sucked into the Halloween candy aisle. 
While I avoided the standard Twix and Snickers, I had to grab one of the last bags of Pumpkin Spice M&M’s. They were disappointing and not very good. The hint of pumpkin flavoring was underwhelming it really just tasted like milk chocolate with a little pumpkin pie spice added to it. Save your money and calories for the Candy Corn White Chocolate.
Then I found the “healthy” candy section which took up maybe 1/20th of the total combined space dedicated to sugar.
Pirates Booty can be spotted on the right hand side. I can’t imagine what I would have thought had I received such item while Trick or Treating.
These bags of Kettle corn seemed fun to try but with just 20 bags and a price tag of $6.99, I wonder how many people would actually be purchasing these for these houses. I can see them at home for school lunches with the kiddies but they are not a realistic alternative in my opinion. I do like that there are just 5 ingredients, and they are made with non GMO popcorn!
The pretzels got a makeover at least but still with just 12 in a bag, I doubt people will be handing these out unless they live in a small neighborhood.
Last year, I was sent UnReal Candy to try and it was really good. They make “knock off” candy made with real ingredients. The UNREAL peanut M&M’s were my favorite. Other healthier options like UnReal include Justin’s Nut Butter candies, Newman’s Own Organic Candy, Sun Cups, Qbel Wafer Rolls, however none of these come in fun size portions to my knowledge.
This year I was sent Funley’s Stix in the Mud, individually wrapped chocolate candy, to test out. They sent me three flavors, original, caramel and peanut butter. The peanut butter and caramel were my favorite!
It’s still candy and should be consumed in moderation but it’s nice to have an alternative that does not contain HFCS, trans fat or artificial coloring. Each packet has 11 individually wrapped candies.
Stix in the Mud are sold in any Walgreens locations across the US. They contain approximately 11 pieces and retail for $4.29.
What do you give out on Halloween? Do you buy the more expensive “healthy” candy or opt in for the traditional fun size candy because it’s not you eating it and really, it’s just one day a year? In Boston living on a main street, we do not give out candy so I do not have the option but I would probably buy a bag of candy that I do not like so I would not be tempted to eat it like Starbursts or Skittles I think. Jillian Micheals swaps out her kids’ candy after they have gone to bed with healthier treats. I heard one family whose daughter had severe allergies went around the neighbors and gave them a specific candy to give to their child. This is such a cute idea if you live in a small neighborhood which I did not growing up.
We will probably have nothing out because no one comes to our house out in the country. Which in many ways, is lucky for us. We do go trick or treating but the kids never wind up eating most of the candy they get.
Hi there! I give out candy that I am not tempted by or else I do the classic “one for you, two for me” approach and that did not go over well for my waistline one year. Great post!
I’m all about the real deal candy in fun size! It’s once a year (but it lasts like a month in my house! lol)…it’s individually wrapped so portion control is pretty easy and it tastes SO.GOOD!! My favorites are Reese’s and Snickers -- if I’m going all out, I’m going all out 😉
-Sammy @ http://www.peaceandloveandicecream.com
Oh Sarah,
As you are a 20 something (and I assume not a mother) you don’t know how tough it is to keep the “bad” candy away from our kids. As Moms, yes, we can get “healthy” candy alternatives. Even our Cosco has an organic Halloween candy section. But what do you think 99.9% of people give out at Halloween? Yep -- Snickers, M & Ms, Milky Ways, Jolly Ranchers, just chalk full of artificial flavors, colors, PGPR, GMOs and other stuff we’d never normally let our kids have. When we were kids in the 1970’s (Yes, I’m dating myself) we did have artificial colors and there was sugar, but the additives have only increased, and yes we wouldn’t see GMO’s for another 20 plus years.
I have already bought the Pirate Booty from Target. Never have I bought Halloween treats so early. I am usually scrambling. I love to dress up to hand out the treats…so I am dressing up like a pirate!! Arrr…
What a great post!! I have a serious sweet tooth problem (I’m a gorge-er when sweets are in the house) and will be taking my toddler trick or treating for the first time this year. I was totally thinking I was not even gonna look in the bag and just toss it all to keep myself safe, but now at least I know there are a few exceptions I can look for! Thanks!
Since I buy the candy for my house, I get some normal candy then something to supplement -- last year it was mini play-dohs and they were a hit!
I had an UNREAL peanut butter cup last night… actually, more satisfying than a Reeces I believe!
agreed. Unreal candy is really really good -- better than originals in my opinion… but still candy. Love the play doh idea though!
Oooh, I think I might pick up one of those Funley’s Sticks in the Mud for my sister and I to enjoy. I’ll be going over to her house, to hand out candy, while we nosh on pumpkin-flavored foods and healthier candy. To hand out to the kids though, we’ll probably do candy that we don’t like (which, for me, is most candy… I do have a soft spot for chocolate, though -- like Ferrero Rocher, Milka and Ritter Sport… but those aren’t really the type of things you hand out to kids… and would probably be costly), since most kids around here seem to prefer that.
Oooh, so I just checked out the Justin’s PB link you posted, they carry them not too far from here… I used to love Reese’s, but it always made me feel sort of sick. I think those would be a really nice alternative. I’m picking some up this weekend for Halloween. Thanks for this, Sarah!