The 5 Best and Worst of Halloween

"Research tells us that 14 out of 10 individuals like chocolate"

-Sandra Boynton

Source: http://eatthis.menshealth.com/slide/worst-chewy-candy-0?slideshow=185599#title

I have been having a blast in my classroom with all the fun Halloween activities that can be done. We are counting with candy corn, sorting and matching chocolate bars and making our very own Halloween cookies. Fortunately, my kids get to have "Food of Minimal Nutritional Value" (one of the many joys of teaching Special Ed) so food is a part of our everyday routine!

Each year the average American takes down 24 pounds of candy...with the majority of this around Halloween festivities. Being dressed as a witch or Superman does not exempt you from the sugar calories. In fact, 3 minitaure Reese's cups has more sugar than a glazed doughnut and only half the pack of skittles (and who really stops at just half of their package!) can rack up more sugar than a scoop of Cookies and Cream Ice Cream! Talk about scary!!

I love getting my email articles and I had another one that just seemed appropriate so check out some great candy swaps to save you a whopping 400 calories this Sunday.

The scary "Fun Size" Candy Bar-Butterfinger Bar

-100 calories, 4 grams fat and 10 grams of sugar

Switch for-3 Musketeers

-63 calories, 2 grams fat amd 10 grams of sugar

The scary Fruit Candy-Brach's Airheads (3 pieces)
-140 calories, 1.5 grams fat and 19 grams sugar

Switch for-Spangler Dum Dum's (3 pops)

-77 calories, 0 grams fat and 5 grams sugar

The scary Minitaure Candy Bar-Twix

-150 calories, 8 grams fat and 15 grams sugar

Switch for-Tootsie Roll (3 pieces)

-70 calories, 1.5 grams fat and 9.5 grams sugar

The scary Chewy Candy-Brach's Milk Maid Caramels (4 pieces)

-160 calories, 4.5 grams fat and 16 grams sugar

Switch for-Now and Later (4 pieces)

-53 calories, 1/2 gram fat, 10 grams sugar

The scary Halloween themed candy-Reese's Pumpkins

-170 calories, 10 grams fat and 16 grams sugar

Switch for-Brach's Candy Corn (11 pieces)

-70 calories, 0 grams fat and 14 grams sugar

So trick-or trating does not need to be avoided. You can have your candy and eat it too, just make Halloween choices that keep you looking good in any costume :)

Megan