Candy makers in the United States love Halloween. Why? Thanks to trick-or-treating and Halloween-themed parties, Americans will spend over $2 Billion on candy during this holiday season.
Interestingly, the ritual of costumes, approaching the homes of strangers to ask for candy and haunted houses didn't become a national tradition until the late 1940's.
At first, kids would receive nuts, fruit, cookies, toys, cakes and coins. Once the candy companies stepped in, trick-or-treat candy options became widely popular to increase fall sales. Whereas Christmas and Easter were popular candy events, Halloween-themed candies were created just for this festive holiday. Although Halloween is known to be a fun holiday for children (and creative adults who love to dress in costumes), candy is easy to buy, fairly inexpensive and convenient to distribute, making it a perfect choice for Halloween. More so, candy companies provide wrapped candy which is a safe alternative to homemade treats, which the later may pose risks of tampering or poisoning.
Some of my favorite memories are from Halloween. I looked forward to dressing up in a creative costume and seeing the Halloween looks of my friends and neighbors. While Halloween costumes have become much more sophisticated over the past decade, something more noticeable has changed. Many children are at risk for obesity due to unhealthy lifestyle choices. And this is prior to the holiday season filled with sweets, treats and oversized portions of cookies, cakes and pies.
By all means, every one of us deserves a sweet treat without guilt. Halloween candy will not sabotage your health, performance or body composition goals. One tootsie roll a day will not cause weight gain. If your typical eating plan is healthy and well-balanced, you aren’t cheating on your diet by yumming over a piece or two of Halloween candy. No need to be scared - just make sure to indulge responsibly.
Popular Halloween Candy.
What's your favorite to yum over?
1. Tootsie Pop - 67 calories
2. Hershey kiss - 22 calories
3. Nerds (1 tbsp) - 63 calories
4. Air head - 63 calories
5. Snickers Bar (fun size) - 74 calories
6. Baby Ruth (fun size) - 83 calories
7. Reese peanut butter cup (mini) - 42 calories
8. Reese's pieces (20 pieces) - 78 calories
9. Milky Way (fun size) - 78 calories
10. M&M's (fun size) - 74 calories
11. Dum Dum - 20 calories
12. Blow Pop - 60 calories
13. Twizzlers (3 pieces) - 120 calories
14. Smarties (1 roll) - 30 calories
15. Kit Kat (mini, 2 pieces) - 47 calories
16. Twix fun (mini) - 50 calories
17. Candy Corn (16 pieces) - 118 calories
18. Gummy bears (10 pieces) - 87 calories
19. Jolly Rancher - 24 calories
20. Skittles (mini package) - 100 calories |
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