Top Harmful Ingredients to Avoid this Halloween
Halloween is near, and while picking costumes or attending parties is fun, the downside is the harmful ingredients in much of the candy. Whether it’s Halloween candy bowls at work or kids asking for them nonstop, it’s important to be mindful of what we and our kids are consuming and consider healthier alternatives to store-bought treats.
Here’s a list of some of the most common ingredients found in store-bought Halloween treats:
HYDROGENATED OILS (trans fat)
Poor quality vegetable seed oils that have been processed to a solid or semi-solid form. These oils are commonly used in both candy and chocolate bars. These contribute to heart disease, obesity and inflammation.
FOOD DYES/COLOURS
Most common ones Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5. These fake dyes have all been linked to hyperactivity, allergic reactions, and various other health risks.
HFCS (High-fructose corn syrup)
ultra processed and often contains mercury. It is sweeter than glucose which contributes to cravings, overeating and dependency. HFCS is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and ADHD.
REFINED SUGAR
Aside from HFCS, Halloween candies are loaded with all kinds of processed sugars, which we know contribute to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, dental cavities and obesity.
PRESERVATIVES
contain preservatives like sodium benzoate, polysorbate, nitrites, BHT/BHA which have been known to cause allergic reactions, digestive issues and other chronic health conditions.
ACIDIC INGREDIENTS
Candies like Sour Patch Kids and Warheads contain acidic ingredients like citric acid and malic acid which gives these products its sour taste. These acids are harmful because they can erode tooth enamel and contribute to cavities.
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)
flavor enhancing substance that contains a high amount of glutamic acid which is known to contribute to symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness and ADHD. It is also linked to headaches, allergic reactions, weight gain, etc. Often disguised under other names: yeast extract, autolyzed yeast, glutamic acid, glutamate.
READ MORE on this topic – Health Washing and Food Labels.
Some specific candies that contain these ingredients include:
- Skittles (hydrogenated oils, artificial food dyes)
- Crunch Bars (hydrogenated oils, refined sugar)
- Starburst (artificial food dyes, high-fructose corn syrup)
- Sour Patch Kids (high-fructose corn syrup, acidic ingredients)
- Twix (hydrogenated oils, refined sugar)
- Candy corn (preservatives, refined sugar)
- Doritos (MSG, citric acid, sugar, vegetable oils, preservative ingredients)
- Goldfish Crackers (yeast extract, sugar, citric acid, processed vegetable oils)
The good news is that there are brands out there that are offering healthier options that avoid high fructose corn syrup, artificial food coloring and processed fats.
HERE ARE A FEW GOOD ONES:
- Smart Sweets
- Yum Earth- Organic Halloween Candy
- Unreal Snacks-Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups
- Solely-Organic Pineapple Rings
- Chiwis-Kiwi chips
- Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop-Sea Salt Popcorn
💚 PROMO CODE 💚 Try out my recommendations and many other amazing goodies at Coco Market with an exclusive 10% off using discount code MELLYFIT10 at checkout!
Another option to consider is to make your own kid-friendly treats. Please know I don’t mean for you to hand these out at your door. The intention behind these Halloween treats are for situations where it’s safe to interact with family and friends.
HERE ARE SOME RECIPES TO TRY:
Tell me about your favorite healthier store-bought options or homemade kid-friendly recipes in the comments below!
Want to learn how to make your own healthy, nutrient-dense snacks and foods? Join us for our upcoming cooking workshop on Sunday, Oct 27th at 3:00 PM!
This session also includes a relaxing meditation and breathwork led by Sari Fox. Don’t miss out! More details HERE.