I know that Halloween candy bowl is very tempting at 3 pm on a boring work day but just pause a moment and think about what you are doing. Get an herbal tea or lemon water first to make sure you are not just thirsty. Next think that about what you are eating…. Most candy is full of the cheapest ingredients possible. Rancid canola or soybean oil which can cause accelerated aging and inflammation.
They can also be full of food colorings that have been linked to disorders like ADD/ ADHD. They are made with genetically modified corn that has not been tested safe for human consumption. High fructose corn syrup in cheap candy is also a new food on the scene that has been added to many foods since the 1970’s. This is about the same time we started to see a rise in diabetes soon affecting one-third of all Americans. That is not a coincidence if you ask me. I urge you instead to choose some of the foods below instead that will kill the cravings and enrich your health.
15 Easy Snacks to Eat Instead of Halloween Candy
On the sweeter side:
Berries have lots of fiber and a low amount of sugar packaged up with water and tons of anti-oxidants. Make sure to buy organic when you can because they are heavily sprayed with pesticides.
Nut butter: Justins (order here) sells a lot of on-the-go packaged nut butters that are low in sugar, high in healthy fat and easy to slurp.
Coconut butter is truly addictive but in a good way. It is like almond butter but without all the Omega 6 fats. You can eat it with a spoon and because it is full of medium chain fatty acids it will be burned quick for energy. Coconut Butter is a great pick me up to tide you over until your next meal.
Coconut Flakes– are full of fiber and sweetness that can get you through any craving. Dried coconut flakes contain phosphorus and B-vitamins which are important for energy metabolism. Make sure and get organic flakes that are unsweetened such as the ones in the bulk section at Whole Foods. Three tablespoons have about 100 calories and are packed with vitamins, minerals and healthy saturated fats. Can sugar laden, trans-fat full 100 calorie pack say that?
Dark chocolate bar
RX Bar: This bar has a good balance of fat and protein and kids like the taste. I like that they use real food ingredients Order here.
Lara Bar: Kind of the same story as RX bar but with a little less protein. Mostly fruit and nuts combined in bars. Sometimes a little sweet but not fake and stripped down like most candy bars. Order here.
Kind bars are also gluten free with ingredients you can read, here.
Smoothies can be a healthy way to calm a sweet craving check out my recipes here and here.
Protein powders: can be a great way to fill up without the junk. I like this one because it is grass fed and sweetened only with stevia.
For more savory tastes:
Organic Soy-free Eggs are a great portable snack anytime. Whole eggs have choline, which is a powerful fat burner. Eggs also have 7 grams of protein in every one so they will fill you up at a reasonable price. Find out more about how to buy good eggs here.
is free of canola or soybean oil that can be used as a coating in cheaper brands. To read more about the many benefits of sea vegetables click here.
provide nearly 40% of calcium needed for one day. The brand at Trader Joe’s and the kind at Costco are boneless and skinless so there are no excuses not to eat them. Also the Crown Prince brand at Trader Joe’s is BPA free. Also a can of these power fish have nearly 2 grams of EPA/DHA which support healthy brain function. They are low in mercury because they grow quickly and are low on the food chain.
is ready to go and can be made into patties and fried. Trident smoked and canned salmon both found at Costco are wild, gluten free and BPA free. Smoked salmon is ready to eat anytime on a salad or put into a lettuce wrap with some lemon juice. The benefits of wild salmon are numerous including being high in Omega-3’s that lower inflammation. Just a 4 oz serving contains 100% of the recommended Vitamin D which helps prevent cancer.
– This can really hit the spot when you are craving something crunchy to dip in your salsa and these are completely grain free. Flax is a great source of magnesium and fiber. You can order some paleo crackers with a little more starch here. Organic Hearts of Palm
Organic Tahini made from sesame seed contains over 25% of the daily calcium and magnesium. They also have mood boosting tryptophan which helps fight depression. Find a great dip/dressing recipe here.
Bonus: Jerky can be a great snack just watch out for excessive sugar, soy sauce and preservatives. These kinds are great when youre on the go, Epic bars or New Primal Jerky also Tanka bar.
Sources: Whfoods.com, nutritiondata.self.com
Where the heck can I get coconut butter and raw flax crackers? Do they sell at Berkeley Bowl West? They must be at Rainbow, yes?
You can get it from tropical traditions or amazon. Also Whole foods has the artisana brand.