Candy is a big part of the Halloween tradition, but not all Halloween candies are equal.
Some can be full of sugar and fat, which can lead to weight gain and tooth decay. Others contain ingredients you may not want to eat or feed your children, like trans fats, artificial dyes, and flavors.
In this guide, our experts at MediPlan Diet Services outline the top five Halloween candies to avoid and why.
1. Candy Corn
Candy corn makes it to the top of our Halloween candies to avoid list because it contains refined, processed, and artificial ingredients, such as corn syrup, which can cause tooth decay. Candy corn also contains yellow dye No. 5, which causes hyperactivity in children.
This Halloween staple is also high in saturated fat, and artificial flavorings are a leading cause of migraines and nausea in some people.
2. Tootsie Rolls
These chewy candies are full of sugar, corn syrup, and part-hydrogenated soybean oil.
Tootsie Roll Industries says that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recognizes the ingredients “as safe,” but that doesn’t mean they aren’t harmful when you eat them in large amounts or frequently.
In addition to being high in sugar, they also contain harmful artificial colors, making them one of the worst candies to consume.
3. Blow Pops
Number three on our list of top five Halloween candies to avoid is Blow Pops. What’s so bad about them?
Well, they’re sugary and taste great, but their extremely high sugar content could lead to needing dental care. They also contain lead (in the wrapper) which is harmful to your health.
Don’t let this delicious treat get in the way of protecting your health!
4. Airheads
If you’re trying to stay away from candy this Halloween, you might want to skip Airheads. They’ve got many of the same ingredients as other candies, and they’re basically just sugar.
They also contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame (which can lead to headaches and migraines) and toxic dyes like Yellow No. 5 (an allergen) and Red No. 40 (linked to hyperactivity).
5. Sour Patch Kids
Sour Patch Kids may be a Halloween staple, but they’re not the best sweet choice to make. This is because they contain high fructose corn syrup, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer.
Avoid these sweet treats if you can when you trick-or-treat this upcoming Halloween.
Contact the Experts for Healthy Meal Plans and Advice
If you’re on a weight loss journey, it can be tough to know what to eat, especially when sweets are involved. MediPlan Diet Services understands that it’s important to make sure you have a great time while still keeping your health in mind.
We hope this list of our top five Halloween candies to avoid has informed you well to make better (preferably organic) choices during Halloween.
Contact MediPlan Diet Services at 901-362-7546 for advice on heart-healthy meal plans for weight loss that will keep you healthy without punishing you.