When you think Halloween, you often think of treats--sweet treats or candy to be specific. Can you consume candy without derailing your diet? Yes. It is all about expending more calories than you consume in a day. Keep your calories in check by choosing low calorie treats and you can feel as if you have gotten away with the ultimate trick.
Guilt-Free Goodies
In an ideal world, a guilt-free treat would be low calorie, indulgent and nutritious. Naturally sweet fruit is the best choice. Dried fruit tastes like candy. Try freezing a 1/4 cup serving of dried fruit (dried cherries or 'Craisins' are delicious) and let them thaw a bit before chomping--they have the consistency of caramels. But on Halloween, sometimes only candy will do. Of course, sugar-free candy and/or gum provides the fewest calories per serving (beware of sugar-free chocolate candies). Now you can purchase bite-sized candies versus the original 'fun-sized' candy bars. There are handy 100 calorie snack bars and snack packs you can enjoy as well. Keep your treats to less than 200 calories and you won't derail your diet. Mix and match if you like. It's only one day, so enjoy yourself.
100 Calorie Treats
There are many candies and treats, when enjoyed in controlled amounts, provide only 100 calories, such as 25 plain M&Ms or 10 peanut M&Ms. Other favorites you can enjoy to the tune of 22 pieces are Jelly Belly's, Skittles or Raisinets. Is candy corn your ultimate Halloween favorite? Either a small handful (20 pieces) of candy corn, 15 regular jelly beans or 10 gummy bears or Whoppers (chocolate-covered malted milk balls) clock in at 100 calories. Try the sugar-free gummy candies for fewer calories. Hard candies take longer to eat so they may be a better option. Five Werther's original candies provide 100 calories. Two and a half mini Reese's provides 100 calories also and who doesn't love Reese's? Share the last one with your favorite goblin. Other treats (in quantities specified) provide 100 calories: two Brach's orange slices, two mini bite-size Snicker's candies, one fun-sized Almond Joy bar, one Mars CocoaVia Blueberry & Almond chocolate bar, one mint chocolate cookie Pria bar or one Nabisco 100 calorie snack pack (try the Oreo wafers or Chips Ahoy thin crisps).
50 Calorie Treats
Anybody can afford a 50 calorie treat. Luckily, there are dozens of options that are truly guilt-free. Five each of either York Peppermint Patty bites or Werther's Original sugar-free candies give you quantity and satisfaction for only 50 calories. Enjoy the following for 50 calories or about 25 calories each: two Hershey's kisses (plain or almond), two mini Tootsie rolls (also known as 'Midgees'), two Smarties candy rolls, or two mini bite-size Three Muskateers candies. Only need a small taste of the real thing to be satisfied? How about one piece of salt water taffy, a caramel or a Toosie pop? If only chocolate will do, try these treats: one Nestle's Crunch fun-sized candy bar, one fun-sized box of Jr Mints, one Dove Chocolate Promises wrapped square or 1 cup sugar-free hot cocoa with 1/2 dozen mini-marshmallows. If you like fruity treats, one Florida's Natural Pocket Fruit-to-Go Stik or one piece of fruit leather each clock in at fewer than 50 calories.
Member Comments