Welcome to the Positive Pulse blog! Check in with us each month for tips on healthy living, right on our website. A short snippet will be featured in the NJSAP monthly newsletter as well, which you can sign up for here.
This months topic is candy! With Halloween upon us and the winter coming, we often find comfort in yummy chocolates and candies (in moderation, of course!) But some choices are healthier than others.
Check out some of the healthiest candy options and which to avoid.
BETTER CHOICES:
1. Unreal Milk Chocolate Gems
These crispy candies in irresistibly melty milk chocolate usenatural colors from spirulina, turmeric, red radish, and beets for a colorful treat that’s perfect for snacking, baking, trail mix, and more. The grab and go bags are a good serving at 170 calories each.
2. Endangered Species Chocolate Extreme Dark 88 Percent Cocoa Dark Chocolate
This is for the dark chocolate lovers. It's low on the sugar scale and one-third of a bar contains 4 grams of fiber, too. Regularly eating a small amount of dark chocolate may even help heart health by lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. Stick to about 1 ounce at 180 calories.
3. Peanut M&Ms
Picking peanuts means you’ll get protein, fiber, and good fats, which help prevent blood sugar spikes and overindulging. The “fun-sized” packs are just 90 calories.
4. Snickers
The full bars are more than a proper serving, but the 80 calories “fun-size" bars will leave you more full than others thanks to the amount of protein while having only a moderate amount of sugar.
5. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
A good amount of protein and a small amount of fiber makes this another good pick. Stick to a single cups at 110 calories.
6. Blow Pop
For hard candy fans, a Blow Pop is a good pick at 70 calories. With the gum center, you can enjoy it for longer without reaching for more candy.
BETTER AVOID:
Candy corn, smarties, gummy bears, jelly beans, and airheads are best avoided. They are almost entirely just sugar and won’t have any nutritional value or help fill you up.
Remember, the best candy choice is the one you can eat and enjoy in moderation! Do your best to be mindful and enjoy a special treat on occasion, rather than deny yourself and be tempted into a big binge.
Resources: https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/best-and-worst-candies-for-your-health/
