The Big Problem Some Nutritionists Have With 'Healthy' Halloween Candy

Every year, Halloween is a fun occasion that calls for entertaining parties and unique costumes alongside lots of Halloween candy and festive recipes. However, these days, health food trends might encourage some people to consider eating (or giving out) healthier options instead of sugar-laden treats during trick-or-treat season. According to Greatist, some options that are a bit better to consume include Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate, Peanut M & M's, Dum Dum Lollipops, Smarties, and more. As the site notes, all of these picks have less than 100 calories and 6 grams of fat, and there's less than 10 grams of sugar per serving.

However, some Redditors aren't pleased with the idea of putting a healthy spin on Halloween. One person posed a question in the forum asking how other users regulate their kids' Halloween candy consumption when there's so much candy they accumulate every year. A follower replied, "...health wise, as long as there is a normal healthy diet, one day a year of going overboard isn't going to give you diabetes." Another Redditor mentioned that having some candy at home regularly and allowing their kids to eat it has worked as a strategy because the kids rarely turn to candy since it isn't deemed "special." And, as it turns out, even health experts aren't too excited about recommending healthier Halloween candy options this time of the year. Here's why.

According to an article from Huff Post, nutritionists believe that everything can be consumed in moderation — even Halloween candy. What you need to remember is that portion sizes are crucial in this equation. As nutritionist Amanda Frankeny explained in the story, "Sugar-free or buzzwords like 'keto,' 'low-carb' or 'superfood' don't necessarily make sweets healthier." She added that one reason is that consumers may be tempted to eat more Halloween candies that are labeled "healthy" and may not realize that they're consuming higher quantities than usual.

Writer Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, who wrote the book "Better Period Food Solution," also said in the article that it doesn't make sense to stop kids from eating some candy during Halloween. As she explained, "You don't want to deprive your little ones of the real deal, or else they may go scrounging around for it without your supervision and eat large quantities of that candy." 

Additionally, some of these healthy products tend to claim that they're loaded with vitamins and other nutrients. As Frankeny noted in the article, however, the candies are not nutrition powerhouses and cannot replace healthier alternative such as vegetables.