5 Best Healthy Halloween Snacks and Treats

Reader s Digest Magazine

By Erin Semple and Chandni Jhunjhunwala

Looking for healthier options for your kids and neighborhood trick-or-treaters? Try these delicious and wholesome ideas.


1. Dark Chocolate Bites


Skip the milk chocolate and sneak antioxidant-rich dark chocolate into trick-or-treat bags. Dark chocolate contains a healthy dose of flavonoids known for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.

We Like:Organic Dark Chocolate Bug Bites
These delicious treats are all-natural and have a high cocoa content (72 percent). Get the adorable Halloween Treat Fun Pack for $6.72 per bag. Not a bad price for gourmet, socially-conscious chocolate. On the outside of the bag, trick-or-treaters can learn about the National Wildlife Federation and their Backyard Wildlife Habitat program. Available at Chocolatebar.com.

Plus: 13 Things Your Trick-or-Treater Won't Tell You

2. Organic Munchies


Let's face it, Halloween isn't the same without candy. But you can still do your bit for the environment and for the health of little ones by handing out preservative-free candy. Here's to a green, wholesome Halloween!

We Like:Organic FruitaBu Smooshed Fruit Flats, Rolls and Twirls
They are made with over 90 percent organic fruit and no artificial additives. They come in a plethora of flavors including apple, raspberry, strawberry and grape. Much better than store bought fruit roll-ups and Twizzlers, don't you think? Available at Drugstore.com. $4.49 for a box of 6-0.7 oz (21g) twirls.

Plus: 7 Spooky Halloween Treat Recipes

3. Chocolate-Dipped Figs


Did you know that dried figs are a nutritional powerhouse and pack more health benefits than most dried fruits? They're full of fiber, calcium, potassium, and iron. Plus, figs are sweet to boot, especially when dipped in chocolate!

We Like:Figamajigs
These fat-free fig bars are covered in dark chocolate. They come flavored with almonds, raspberries and mint and were named Healthiest Candy of 2006 by Forbes and given a Healthy Snack Award by Shape in 2007. "These are very appealing to kids," says Cynthia Sass, co-author of The Ultimate Diet Log. Available at Figamajigs.com. $23.85 for a box of 15 bars.

Plus: 7 Super Easy Halloween Decorations

4. Soy Treats


Soy snacks can contain up to a whopping 7 grams of protein plus they aren't loaded with bad fats. We'll admit that soy doesn't sound very appealing. But if you go for the sweeter variety, you'll be surprised at how much it tastes like candy.

We Like:Genisoy Sweet Crisps Chocolate
Available at your local Whole Foods or at Genisoy.com. $2.69 for a bag.


Plus: The Ultimate Halloween Menu


5. Gummy Candy


Kids will spell out yummy as they devour this fat-free treat. Packed with nutrients and antioxidants, gummy letters are a healthy choice. For extra fun, try making your own gummy letters from jell-o and cutting utensils.

We Like:Haribo Alphabet Letters
Available at Amazon.com. 5-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12) for $13.11.



Plus: Get 5 More Healthy Halloween Snacks and Treats

Images: www.chocolatebar.com, www.drugstore.com, www.figamajigs.com, www.genisoy.com, and www.amazon.com