It’s that time of year again! The shelves are lined with scary decorations and sugary treats. Between the costumes, the candy, and the decorations, Halloween is a really exciting holiday. The down side?
The effects of consuming way too much sugar. While indulging on this special holiday is totally okay, if you do want to be a little healthier, have no fear—I’ve come up with a list of 23 Healthy Halloween Candy Swaps!
… All of which are vegan, by the way.
Before you freak out, don’t worry—I’m not recommending handing out boxes of veggies this Halloween. Fortunately, in 2019, there’s a growing number of healthy Halloween alternatives that both kids and adults will love!
Tip: Don’t tell your kids they’re healthier and they’ll never know.
Before getting into the swaps, I do need to say that no candy is “healthy”. As in, you shouldn’t be consuming it every day.
Having said that, the alternatives in this guide are way better than conventional candy. But they should still be eaten in reasonable amounts!
Let’s dive right in, shall we?
Let’s start with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. They are currently the number-one-selling candy in the U.S. So, obviously I had to include this popular treat in this list of candy swaps!
Instead of Reese’s Cups, try:
Justin’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups! They do offer several flavors, but the dark chocolate flavor is the only vegan one.
Unreal Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups! They come in 3 vegan flavors: Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Crispy Quinoa, or if you prefer almond butter to peanut butter, Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups.
Theo Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups! The dark chocolate flavor is the only vegan one.
Lily’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups! These are also sugar-free!
Lakanto Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups! These, too, are sugar-free!
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Reese’s Cups Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Sugar; Cocoa Butter; Chocolate; Nonfat Milk; Milk Fat; Lactose; Soy Lecithin; PGPR; Emulsifier); Peanuts; Sugar; Dextrose; Cocoa Butter; Contains 2% or Less of: Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel and Palm Oil); Salt; PGPR; Emulsifier; TBHQ (Preservative).
Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic Evaporated Cane Sugar, Organic Chocolate Liquor*, Organic Cocoa Butter*, Organic Soy Lecithin, Organic Vanilla), Organic Peanuts, Organic Powdered Evaporated Cane Sugar, Organic Peanut Flour, Organic Palm Fruit Oil**, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Vanilla Flavor, Sea Salt, Organic Soy Lecithin.
Unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Chocolate Liquor*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*, Organic Blue Agave Inulin+, Sunflower Lecithin, Organic Vanilla), Peanut Butter (Peanuts, Cane Sugar, Palm Oil+, Salt), Organic Powdered Sugar*, Organic Palm Oil+, Peanut Flour, Organic Blue Agave Inulin+, Salt, Sunflower Lecithin.
Theo Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups Ingredients: Cocoa Beans*+, Peanut Butter (Roasted Peanuts)*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*, Powdered Sugar (Cane Sugar, Cornstarch)*+, Peanut Flour*, Salt, Rosemary Extract (Sunflower Oil, Rosemary Extract)*, Ground Vanilla Bean*+.
Lily’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Unsweetened cocoa, erythritol, chicory root fiber, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin, vanilla extract, stevia extract), Peanut Butter (peanuts, palm kernel oil, erythritol, peanut flour, chicory root fiber, coconut oil, palm oil, salt, sunflower lecithin, Stevia extract).
Lakanto Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups Ingredients: Peanuts, Unsweetened Chocolate, Non-GMO Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener (Erythritol and Monk Fruit Extract), Cocoa Butter, Tapioca Fiber, Peanut Flour, Palm Oil, Sea Salt, Natural Flavors, Sunflower Lecithin.
Instead of Rice Krispies Treats, try:
Made Good Vanilla Crispy Squares! They also come in chocolate chip flavor, or you can buy them together.
I’m sure you already know that Rice Krispies Treats are not exactly the healthiest option, but because we all love that crispy, crackly pop, I knew this one had to be added to the list as well.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Rice Krispies Treats Ingredients: Toasted Rice Cereal (Rice, Sugar, Salt, Malt Flavor, Niacinamide, Reduced Iron, Vitamin B2 [Riboflavin], Folic Acid), Corn Syrup, Fructose, Vegetable Oil (Soybean and Palm Oil with TBHQ for Freshness), Sugar, Corn Syrup Solids. Contains 2% or Less of Vegetable Glycerin, Dextrose, Gelatin, Natural and Artificial Flavors (Contains Milk), Salt, DATEM, Acetylated Monoglycerides, Soy Lecithin, BHT for Freshness.
Made Good Vanilla Crispy Squares Ingredients: Crisp Rice*, Cane Sugar Syrup*, Sustainable Palm Fruit Oil*, Vegetable Glycerin*, Inulin*, Cane Sugar*, Sunflower Oil Blend* (Sunflower Oil*, Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract*), Sea Salt, Vegetable Powder (Spinach, Broccoli, Carrots, Tomatoes, Beets, Shiitake Mushrooms), Vanilla Flavor*, Agar*. *Organic.
Instead of M&M’s, try:
Unreal Dark Chocolate Crispy Quinoa Gems!
Unreal Dark Chocolate Crispy Quinoa Gems are colored naturally from veggies (like Spirulina and beets), and are made with fair trade dark chocolate and bits of crispy quinoa.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
M&M’s Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Chocolate, Skim Milk, Cocoa Butter, Lactose, Milk fat, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Artificial Flavors), Sugar, Cornstarch, Less than 1% – Corn Syrup, Dextrin, Coloring (Includes Blue 1 Lake, Yellow 6, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 40 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 2), Gum Acacia.
Unreal Dark Chocolate Crispy Quinoa Gems Ingredients: Dark Chocolate (Chocolate Liquor, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Vanilla), Organic Cane Sugar, Gum Acacia, Colored with (Beet Juice, Spirulina Extract), Organic Tapioca Syrup, Carnauba Wax.
Instead of Skittles, try:
Project 7 Organic Gourmet Chewies!
Project 7 Organic Gourmet Chewies are crunchy and chewy, just like Skittles. Each pouch of Chewies features five different flavors: Birthday Cake, Rainbow Ice, Fairytale Fruit, Front Porch Lemonade, and Coconut Lime. Plus, they’re organic, non-GMO, vegan, made with organic sweeteners, colored with natural sources, and do not contain artificial flavors.
Yum Earth Organic Giggles are chewy, fruity, and allergy-friendly (bonus!). They also feature five different flavors: green apple, lemon, orange, strawberry and grape. They’re made without high fructose corn syrup or artificial dyes, and are organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan!
Again, I wouldn’t call either of these alternatives “healthy”, but if you’re a Skittles fan, this is definitely a much better option.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Skittles Ingredients: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil; Less than 2% of: Citric Acid, Tapioca Dextrin, Modified Corn Starch, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Colors (Red 40 Lake, Titanium Dioxide, Red 40, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Blue 2 Lake, Blue 1, Blue 1 Lake), Sodium Citrate, Carnauba Wax.
Project 7 Organic Gourmet Chewies Ingredients: Organic Cane sugar, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Powdered Sugar, Organic Palm Oil, Organic Tapioca Starch, Citric Acid, Organic Gum, Unbleached Shellac, Organic Sunflower Lecithin, Organic Rice, Natural Flavors, Colored with Beet Juice (Beet Juice, Water, Citric Acid), Organic Curcumin, Grape Color Extract, Organic Carnauba Wax.
Yum Earth Organic Giggles: organic cane sugar, organic rice syrup, organic palm oil, citric acid, organic flavors, turmeric (color), sodium citrate, organic sunflower lecithin, malic acid, (radish, sweet potato, carrot, blackcurrant) color, organic carnauba wax, spirulina (color), pectin.
Instead of Haribo Gummy Bears, try:
Surf Sweets Organic Fruity Bears! These are made with organic fruit juice, and are free from artificial colors, artificial flavors, and corn syrup.
Surf Sweets is also a member of 1% for the Planet. They donate a minimum of 1% of sales from their products to a number of organizations that support environmental causes, including Climate Cycle, Healthy Child Healthy World and EcoMom Alliance.
Lily’s Gummy Bears! These have no sugar added, are non-GMO verified, and gluten-free. This bag is filled with Strawberry, Raspberry, Orange, and Lemon flavors.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Haribo Gummy Bears Ingredients: Glucose Syrup (From Wheat or Corn), Sugar, Gelatin, Dextrose (From Wheat or Corn), Citric Acid, Corn Starch, Artificial and Natural Flavors, Palm Kernel Oil, Carnauba Wax, White Beeswax, Yellow Beeswax, Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1.
Surf Sweets Organic Fruity Bears Ingredients: Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Grape Juice Concentrate, Pectin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Colors Added (Organic Black Carrot Juice Concentrate, Organic Turmeric, Organic Annatto), Natural Flavors.
Lily’s Gummy Bears Ingredients: Soluble Corn Fiber, Allulose, Pectin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Natural Flavors, Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, Color Added (Apple, Blackcurrant, Carrot, Lemon, Pumpkin, Radish, Saffron Concentrates), Carnauba Wax, Stevia Extract.
Instead of Crunch Bars, try:
If I had to pick one chocolate bar to eat for the rest of my life, this would be it. I was always a fan of Crunch bars growing up, and Alter Eco has done a fantastic job of re-creating this popular chocolate bar into a much healthier treat.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Crunch Bars Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Nonfat Milk, Lactose, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin, Vanillan–an artificial flavor), Crisped Rice (Rice Flour, Sugar, Barley Malt, Salt).
Alter Eco Dark Quinoa Crunch Ingredients: Raw Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Liquor*, Cocoa Butter*, Quinoa-Rice Crisps (Quinoa*, Rice*, Sugar*), Vanilla*.
Instead of Sour Patch Kids, try:
Smart Sweets Sour Blast Buddies!
Smart Sweets Sour Blast Buddies contain only 3g of sugar and 80 calories in the entire bag, and are naturally sweetened with monk fruit, stevia, and allulose. Not to mention, they’re free from sugar alcohols. If you’re a Sour Patch Kids fan, this one’s for you!
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Sour Patch Kids Ingredients: Sugar, Invert Sugar, Corn Syrup, Modified Corn Starch, Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavoring, Yellow 6, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1.
Surf Sweets Sour Blast Buddies Ingredients: Prebiotic Soluble Fiber from Tapioca, Lactic Acid, Pectin, Chicory Root Fiber, Rice Flour, Fumaric Acid, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Fruit and Vegetable Juice (for Color), Natural Fruit Flavors, Coconut Oil, Carrageenan , Spirulina Extract (for Color), Stevia Leaf Extract, Carnauba Wax.
Instead of Swedish Fish, try:
Smart Sweets again! I must say, this brand does a great job of creating healthier alternatives to candies that aren’t exactly easy to healthify. I’m not saying they’re “healthy”, but check out the difference in ingredients.
They’re made with no sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners, or added sugar. Instead, they’re sweetened with high-quality, natural sweeteners (monk fruit and allulose). They’re colored with fruit and veggie juices, and are naturally flavored. Plus, they’re gluten-free and non-GMO.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Swedish Fish Ingredients: Sugar, Invert Sugar, Corn Syrup, Modified Corn Starch, Citric Acid, White Mineral Oil, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Red 40, Carnauba Wax.
Smart Sweets Sweet Fish Ingredients: Prebiotic Soluble Fiber from Tapioca, Pectin, Natural Fruit Flavor, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Carrageenan, Fruity and Vegetable Juice (for Color), Coconut Oil, Stevia Leaf Extract, Carnauba Wax.
Instead of Almond Joy, try:
Theo Coconut Salted Almond Bar!
The one down side about this healthier alternative is that it does contain corn syrup. It is non-GMO corn syrup, but still, corn syrup. Aside from that, the rest of the ingredients are so much better than the original Almond Joy bar! So if you’re debating between the two, there’s no question as to which one’s healthier.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Almond Joy Ingredients: Corn Syrup, Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate, Milk, Lactose, Milk Fat, Nonfat Milk, Soy Lecithin, PGPR, Emulsifier), Coconut, Sugar, Almonds (Roasted in Cocoa Butter and/or Sunflower Oil), Contains 2% or Less of: Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Soybean and Palm Oil), Whey, (Milk), Cocoa, Salt, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Chocolate, Soy Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Sodium Metabisulfite and Sulfur Dioxide, to Maintain Freshness, Caramel Color.
Theo Coconut Salted Almond Bar Ingredients: Non-GMO Corn Syrup, Coconut+, Cocoa Beans+, Cane Sugar+, Almonds, Cocoa Butter+, Salt, Coconut Flavor, Ground Vanilla Bean+. organic +fair Trade
Instead of Starburst, try:
Torie & Howard Chewie Fruities! They also come in sour flavors.
I wouldn’t say these alternatives are “healthy” per se, but they are a WAY better alternative to their corn syrup filled competitor.
Yum Earth Organic Chewys! They come in orange, lemon, strawberry, cherry flavors.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Starburst Ingredients: Corn syrup, Sugar, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil and/or Palm Oil, Fruit Juice from Concentrate (Apple, Strawberry, Lemon, Orange, Cherry), Citric acid, Dextrin, Gelatin, Food starch-modified, Natural and artificial flavors, Ascorbic acid (vitamin c), Coloring (Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1)
Torie & Howard Chewie Fruities: Organic brown rice syrup, organic cane syrup, organic palm shortening*, ascorbic acid, citric acid, natural flavors, organic rice extract. Colored with: beetroot juice and organic curcumin (turmeric). *Sustainably sourced
Yum Earth Organic Chewys: organic rice syrup, organic cane sugar, organic palm oil, organic natural flavors, citric acid, organic sunflower lecithin, colored from organic concentrates (carrot, blackcurrant), organic turmeric (color), pectin.
Instead of Kraft Caramels, try:
Cocomels Coconut Milk Caramels! They come in several flavors: Original, Sea Salt, and Coconut Sugar, or you can get a variety pack.
As you may have guessed from the name, Cocomels Coconut Milk Caramels are an all natural caramel candy made with coconut milk instead of dairy milk. They’re smooth and creamy, and made with no high fructose corn syrup or shiny glazes.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Kraft Caramels Ingredients: Corn Syrup, Sugar, Skim Milk, Palm Oil, Whey, Salt, Artificial and Natural Flavor, Soy Lecithin.
Cocomels Coconut Milk Caramels Ingredients: Organic Coconut Milk (Organic Coconut, Water), Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Sea Salt, Xanthan Gum
Instead of Bounty Bars, try:
Unreal Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars!
These Unreal Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars contain only 3g sugar per bar, versus the 13.6g sugar in each Bounty Bar. ‘Nuff said!
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Bounty Bars Ingredients: Sugar, Desiccated Coconut, Glucose Syrup, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Skimmed Milk Powder, Emulsifiers (Soya Lecithin, E471), Lactose, Milk Fat, Whey Powder, Humectant (Glycerol), Salt, Natural Vanilla Extract.
Unreal Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars Ingredients: Organic Coconut, Organic Cassava Syrup, Dark Chocolate (Chocolate Liquor, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Vanilla).
Instead of Trolli Sour Crawlers, try:
Surf Sweets Sour Worms! These sour worms are made with organic fruit juice and organic sweeteners, and include 100% of Vitamin C per serving! They’re free of artificial colors, artificial flavors, and corn syrup.
Plus, as mentioned before, Surf Sweets is a member of 1% for the Planet. They donate a minimum of 1% of sales from their products to a number of organizations that support environmental causes, including Climate Cycle, Healthy Child Healthy World and EcoMom Alliance.
Lily’s Sour Gummy Worms! These have no sugar added, are non-GMO verified, and gluten-free. The big comes with Apple-Peach and Lemon-Raspberry flavors.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Trolli Sour Worms Ingredients: Corn Syrup, Sugar, Gelatin, Modified Food Starch (Corn), Fumaric Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Calcium Lactate, Sodium Lactate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Titanium Dioxide [Color], Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 1.
Surf Sweets Sour Worms Ingredients: Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Tapioca Syrup, Citric Acid, Pectin, Organic Grape Juice Concentrate, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid, Colors Added (Organic Black Carrot Juice Concentrate, Organic Turmeric, Organic Annatto), Natural Flavors.
Lily’s Sour Gummy Worms Ingredients: Soluble Corn Fiber, Allulose, Pectin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Natural Flavors, Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, Color Added (Apple, Blackcurrant, Carrot, Lemon, Pumpkin, Radish, Saffron Concentrates), Carnauba Wax, Stevia Extract.
Instead of Fruit Roll-Ups, try:
Stretch Island Fruit Leathers!
Stretch Island Fruit Leathers contain 0g added sugar, and instead are made with 100% fruit ingredients. They’re free of synthetic colors, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Fruit Roll Ups Ingredients: Corn Syrup, Dried Corn Syrup, Sugar, Pear Puree Concentrate, Palm Oil. Contains 2% or less of: Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Fruit Pectin, Monoglycerides, Malic Acid, Dextrose, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Acetylated Monoglycerides, Natural Flavor, Color (Red 40, Yellow 5 & 6, Blue 1).
Stretch Island Leather Snacks Ingredients (Raspberry Flavor): Apple puree concentrate, pear puree concentrate, red raspberry puree concentrate, lemon juice concentrate.
Instead of Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses, try:
Enjoy Life Halloween Chocolate Minis!
Enjoy Life Halloween Chocolate Minis are bite-sized mini chocolates made with only a few all-natural ingredients. They come in several flavors: dark chocolate, rice milk chocolate, and rice milk crunch chocolate, or you can buy a variety pack.
I personally prefer dark chocolate, but I do know that vegan milk chocolate isn’t easy to come across, so if you’re a milk chocolate fan, I highly recommend this brand. They did a great job of making sure vegans don’t miss out.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Cane Sugar; Milk; Chocolate; Cocoa Butter; Milk Fat; Lecithin (Soy); Natural Flavor).
Enjoy Life Halloween Dark Chocolate Minis Ingredients: Unsweetened Chocolate, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter.
Instead of Dum-Dums, try:
Koochikoo Lollipops or Yum Earth Lollipops!
Koochikoo Lollipops contain no added sugar. That’s huge! They come in several flavors, including Fuji Apple, Pineapple Orange, Pomegranate Blueberry, and Blueberry Lemon.
Yum Earth Organic Lollipops are allergy-friendly, free of artificial dyes, and come in several flavors including: Pomegranate, Watermelon, Strawberry, Grape, Cherry, Peach, Berry, and Mango.
Whichever of these brands you decide to go with, works. They’re both way healthier than Dum Dums.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Dum Dums Ingredients: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Salt, Artificial Flavor, Color Added (Includes Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1).
Yum Earth Lollipops Ingredients: Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Natural Flavors, Colored With Concentrate (Carrot, Blackcurrant), Colored With Organic Concentrate (Carrot, Apple, Blackcurrant), Turmeric (Color), Organic Annatto (Color).
Koochikoo Lollipops Ingredients (Fuji Apple Flavor): Organic Tapioca Fiber, Citric Acid, Natural Apple Flavor, Colored With: Organic Radish, Organic Apple, Organic Blackcurrant, Red Cabbage, Turmeric.
Instead of Hershey’s Chocolate Bars, try:
Lily’s Extra Dark Chocolate, Loving Earth Creamy Chocolate, or Alter Eco Blackout Chocolate!
So here’s the thing. Dark chocolate actually has several health benefits! The problem with most popular store-bought chocolates is that they’re made with more milk and fillers than actual cocoa. There are way more than 3 healthier alternatives, but these are just a few of my personal favorites.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Hershey’s Chocolate Bar: Milk chocolate (sugar, milk, chocolate, cocoa butter, lactose, milk fat, soy lecithin, PGPR, emulsifier, vanillin, artificial flavor).
Lily’s Dark Chocolate Ingredients: Unsweetened Chocolate, Erythritol, Inulin, Cocoa Butter, Stevia Extract, Organic Soy Lecithin, Vanilla.
Loving Earth Creamy Chocolate Ingredients: Cacao (Virgin Cacao Butter, Raw Cacao Beans), Coconut Sugar, Coconut.
Alter Eco Dark Chocolate Ingredients: Cacao beans, Cocoa Butter, Raw Cane Sugar, Vanilla Beans.
Instead of Welch’s Fruit Snacks, try:
Yum Earth Organic Fruit Snacks or Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks!
Both of these alternatives to Welch’s Fruit Snacks are free from artificial flavors, synthetic colors, preservatives, and high-fructose corn syrup.
Yum Earth Organic Fruit Snacks come in 4 flavors: Banana Blast, Strawberry Smash, Very Very Cherry, and Perfectly Peach.
Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit snacks also come in 4 flavors: Berry Patch, Summer Strawberry, Sunny Citrus, and Tropical Treat.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Welch’s Fruit Snacks Ingredients: Fruit Puree (Grape, Peach, Orange, Strawberry and Raspberry), Corn Syrup, Sugar, Modified Corn Starch, Gelatin, Concord Grape Juice from Concentrate, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E), Vitamin A Palmitate, Sodium Citrate, Coconut Oil, Carnauba Wax, Annatto (color), Turmeric (color), Red 40, and Blue 1
Yum Earth Organic Fruit Snacks Ingredients: Organic Rice Syrup, Organic Cane Sugar, Pectin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Natural Flavors, Organic Color From Concentrate (Apple, Carrot, Pumpkin, BlackCurrant), Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Carnauba Wax.
Annie’s Organic Fruit Snacks: Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Tapioca Syrup Solids, Organic White Grape Juice Concentrate, Pectin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Color (Black Carrot Juice Concentrate), Natural Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Organic Sunflower Oil, Carnauba Wax.
Instead of Lindt Truffles, try:
It is not easy to find delicious vegan truffles. I luckily came across this awesome brand, Booja Booja. They have 12 truffle flavors, including Midnight Espresso, Salted Caramel Almond, and my personal favorite: Hazelnut Crunch!
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Lindt Truffles Ingredients (Milk Chocolate): Sugar, coconut oil, cocoa butter, milk ingredients, cocoa mass, palm kernel oil, lactose, soya lecithin, barley malt extract, artificial flavor. May contain peanuts and tree nuts.
Booja Booja Truffles Ingredients (Chocolate Hazelnut): Organic Chocolate (Organic Cocoa Solids 55%, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Vanilla), Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Hazelnuts (18%), Organic Cocoa Powder.
Instead of Sour Patch Watermelon Gummies, try:
Surf Sweets Watermelon Organic Rings or Smart Sweets Sourmelon Bites!
Yes, I know Surf Sweets and Smart Sweets are both back for the third time in this list! What can I say? They obviously love remaking candy.
As I’m sure you’ve read already, Surf Sweets candies are made with organic fruit juice and organic sweeteners, and include 100% of Vitamin C per serving! They’re free of artificial colors, artificial flavors, and corn syrup.
Plus, Surf Sweets is a member of 1% for the Planet. They donate a minimum of 1% of sales from their products to a number of organizations that support environmental causes, including Climate Cycle, Healthy Child Healthy World and EcoMom Alliance.
These Smart Sweets Sourmelon gummies are made with no sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners, or added sugar. Instead, they’re sweetened with high-quality, natural sweeteners (monk fruit and allulose). They’re colored with fruit and veggie juices, and are naturally flavored. Plus, they’re gluten-free and non-GMO.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Sour Patch Watermelon Gummies Ingredients: Sugar, Invert Sugar, Corn Syrup, Modified Corn Starch, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Titanium Dioxide, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1.
Surf Sweets Organic Watermelon Rings Ingredients: Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Grape Juice Concentrate, Pectin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Natural Watermelon Flavor, Color Added (Organic Grape Juice Concentrate).
Smart Sweets Sourmelon Bites Ingredients: Non-gmo soluble corn fiber, allulose, isomalto-oligosaccharides (vegetable source), lactic acid, chicory root fiber, modified potato starch, rice flour, fumaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, natural watermelon flavor, fruit and vegetable juice (for color), coconut oil, carnauba wax, spirulina extract, stevia leaf extract, monk fruit extract.
Instead of Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, try:
Surf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans!
Ok, ok. Surf Sweets is back for the fourth time! But, have you seen the Jelly Belly Jelly Beans ingredient list? I mean, whoa. Wholesome Surf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans are made without any synthetic colors, and they’re flavored with fruit juice concentrates. Plus, they contain no corn syrup.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Jelly Belly Jelly Beans Ingredients: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Modified Food Starch, Contains 2% or Less of the Following: Peach Puree Concentrate, Blackberry Puree, Strawberry Puree, Blueberry Puree, Raspberry Puree, Strawberry Juice Concentrate, Apple Juice Concentrate, Banana Puree, Plum Juice Concentrate, Cherry Juice Concentrate, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Coconut, Lemon Puree, Orange Puree, Lime Juice Concentrate, Tangerine Juice Concentrate, Watermelon Juice Concentrate, Grapefruit Juice Concentrate, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Cantaloupe Powder, Pomegranate Juice Concentrate, Pear Juice Concentrate, Kiwi Juice Concentrate, Mango Puree, Mango Juice Concentrate, Passion Fruit Juice Concentrate, Citric Acid, Fumaric Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Citrate, Cocoa Powder, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Coffee, Color Added, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5 & 6 Lake, Blue 1 & 2 Lake, Yellow 5 & 6, Red 40, Blue 1 & 2, Turmeric (Color), Vegetable and Fruit Juice (Color), Tapioca Dextrin, Vanilla Beans, Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Confectioner’s Glaze, Salt, Caffeine.
Surf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans Ingredients: Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Grape Juice Concentrate, Pectin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Colors Added (Organic Black Carrot Juice Concentrate, Organic Turmeric, Organic Annatto), Natural Flavors, Confectioner’s Glaze, Carnauba Wax, Organic Sunflower Oil.
Instead of KitKat Crisp Wafers, try:
Little Secrets Mini Crispy Wafers!
These crispy wafers are an amazing alternative to KitKat bars. They have the same texture, and an incredibly delicious rich chocolatey flavor.
They’re made without any artificial flavors or colors, and are made with certified fair trade chocolate, non-GMO ingredients, and have 35% less sugar per serving.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
KitKat Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, milk ingredients, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, whey powder, lactose, soya lecithin, polyglycerol polyricinoleate, natural flavour), wheat flour, sugar, modified palm oil, cocoa, sodium bicarbonate, soya lecithin, yeast, natural flavour.
Little Secrets Mini Crispy Wafers Ingredients: Dark chocolate (fair trade certified™ unsweetened chocolate, fair trade certified™ sugar, fair trade certified™ cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin), enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid), palm oil*, sugar, skimmed cocoa powder, sugar cane fiber, soy lecithin, salt, sea salt, ascorbic acid.
Instead of Twizzlers:
Smart Sweets Red Twists! They’re made with 92% less sugar than leading brands – only 2 grams of sugar for the whole bag. Plus, there’s 12 grams of plant-based fiber in each bag! For a candy, that’s amazing!
These red twists are also gluten-free, and made with no sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners, or added sugars, and are colored with fruit and veggie juices, and are naturally flavored.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Twizzlers Ingredients: Corn Syrup, Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, and Folic Acid), Sugar, Cornstarch, Contains 2% or Less of: Salt, Artificial Flavor, Mono and Diglycerides, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Artificial Color (Red 40), Mineral Oil, Soy Lecithin, Glycerin.
Smart Sweets Ingredients: Non-Gmo Soluble Corn Fiber, Allulose, Brown Rice Flour, Isomalto-Oligosaccharides (Vegetable Source), Tapioca Starch, Water, Natural Flavor, Coconut Oil, Sunflower Lecithin, Fruit & Vegetable Juice (For Color), Malic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid, Stevia Leaf Extract.
Instead of Sour Skittles:
Yum Earth Organic Sour Giggles! They come in five sour flavors: green apple, lemon, orange, strawberry and grape.no high fructose corn syrup or artificial dyes.
They’re made without high fructose corn syrup or artificial dyes, and they’re organic, non-GMO, gluten free, and vegan!
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Sour Skittles Ingredients: sugar, corn syrup, citric acid, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, tapioca dextrin, modified corn starch, natural and artificial flavors, colors (with tartrazine), sodium citrate, carnauba wax.
Yum Earth Organic Sour Giggles Ingredients: organic cane sugar, organic rice syrup, organic palm oil, citric acid, organic flavors, sodium citric, turmeric (color), organic sunflower lecithin, malic acid, (radish, sweet potato, carrot, blackcurrant) color, organic carnauba wax, spirulina (color), pectin.
Instead of Snickers:
Go Max Go Jokerz Candy Bar! It’s made with peanuts, caramel, and nougat in a rice-milk chocolatey coating. It’s made with no artificial ingredients and has no trans fats.
I wouldn’t call this a “healthy” candy bar, but it’s healthier than the original Snickers bar!
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Snickers Ingredients: milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, skim milk, lactose, milk fat, soy lecithin, artificial flavor), peanuts, corn syrup, sugar, palm oil, skim milk, lactose, salt, egg whites, artificial flavor.
Jokerz Candy Bar Ingredients: peanuts (dry roasted), corn syrup, cane sugar, organic unrefined cane sugar, palm kernel oil, cocoa powder (natural), palm oil, rice powder (rice syrup powder, rice starch, rice flour, carrageenan), soy protein concentrate, dextrose, natural flavors, malt powder (extract of barley malt and corn), soybean lecithin, salt, carrageenan, enzyme modified soy protein.
Instead of Milky Way:
Go Max Go Twilight Candy Bar! It has a rich, fluffy, and chocolatey nougat topped with a layer of thick caramel, then wrapped in a creamy, rice-milk chocolatey coating.
I wouldn’t call this candy bar “healthy”, but it beats the original Milky Way bar!
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Milky Way Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Skim Milk, Chocolate, Lactose, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavor), Corn Syrup, Sugar, Palm Oil, Skim Milk, Less than 2% – Milkfat, Cocoa Powder Processed with Alkali, Barley Malt Extract, Lactose, Salt, Egg Whites, Chocolate, Artificial Flavor.
Twilight Candy Bar Ingredients: corn syrup, cane sugar, organic unrefined cane sugar, palm kernel oil, palm oil, cocoa powder (natural and alkalized), rice powder (rice syrup powder, rice starch, rice flour, carrageenan), soy protein concentrate, dextrose, natural flavors, soybean lecithin, salt, enzyme modified soy protein, carrageenan.
Instead of Butterfinger:
Go Max Go Thumbs Up Candy Bar! It has a crunchy, peanut buttery center in a rice-milk chocolaty coating.
Go Max Go, again! While their candy bars are definitely not “healthy”, they offer vegan alternatives to the most popular chocolate bars we grew up loving. So, I had to include them on this list!
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Butterfinger Ingredients: Corn Syrup, Sugar, Peanuts, Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel and Palm Oil), Peanut Flour, Nonfat Milk, Less than 2% of Cocoa, Milk, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor, Annatto Color.
Thumbs Up Candy Bar Ingredients: cane sugar, corn syrup, peanuts (dry roasted), organic unrefined cane sugar, palm kernel oil, cocoa powder (natural), rice powder (rice syrup solids, rice starch, rice flour, carrageenan), salt, soybean lecithin, corn starch, natural color, natural flavor, tocopherol (vitamin e).
Instead of Twix bars:
Go Max Go 2fer Candy Bar! It has a crunchy shortbread cookie base, layered with caramel, then wrapped in a chocolatey coating, just like Twix.
As mentioned above, this brand doesn’t exactly make “healthy” candy bars, but they offer vegan alternatives to some popular candy bars, and I consider this healthier than Twix bars.
Here’s an ingredient comparison:
Twix Ingredients: sugar, glucose syrup, wheat flour, palm fat, cocoa butter, skimmed milk powder, cocoa mass, lactose, milk fat, whey powder (from milk), fat reduced cocoa, salt, soya lecithin, raising agent (E500), vanilla extract.
2fer Candy Bar Ingredients: Organic Unbleached Wheat Flour, Organic Unrefined Cane Sugar, Palm Kernel Oil, Sugar, Palm Oil, Organic Rice Syrup, Cocoa Powder (Natural), Enzyme Modified Soy Protein, Dextrose, Natural Flavours, Salt, Vegetable Glycerin, Sunflower Lecithin, Agar, Natural Color.
Contains: Wheat and Soy.
What about homemade halloween treats?
If you’d rather make your own healthy Halloween treats at home, here are some options for you!
Chocolate Raspberry Cream Truffles
I also have healthier recipes for treats like Snickers Bars, Cookie Dough Balls, Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Glazed Chocolate Donut Holes, Nutella, and way more in my recipe e-book, Sweet Life! Use the code “HALLOWEEN” for 25% off. 🎃
I hope this Healthy Halloween Candy Swaps list helped you discover some new treats to enjoy this Halloween!
Enjoy the holiday. 👻
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