Candy corn ain’t it. Healthy Halloween Swaps

Ah, fall. That time of year when leaves change, cozy sweaters make their comeback, and suddenly, it’s socially acceptable to hand out candy like you’re Willy Wonka’s understudy. But while I’ll always have a soft spot for a festive treat, I’m all about finding the nutritious version, and let’s be real, our bodies deserve better than a full-on chemically laden sugar rush.

The tradition of exchanging sweets actually dates back centuries, starting with Samhain, a Celtic festival that honored the dead with offerings of food. This tradition evolved into what we now know as Halloween. Trick-or-treating wasn’t just about collecting sweets. But was a way to pay homage for blessings or ward off unwelcome spirits.

Meanwhile, our friends in Mexico celebrate Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, with a beautiful blend of food, flowers, and festivity. While sugar skulls may seem sweet, the deeper meaning is about honoring ancestors with an offering and sharing symbolic foods with them though the veil of the spirit world on one enchanted night per year.

So why not elevate our modern treats to match these meaningful traditions? Let’s swap those commercial candies for something that nourishes, instead of depleting, your energy. And if you’re like me, the cravings go beyond the quick fix of a chocolate bar. I’m talking about a true desire for nutrient-dense foods, like rich, organic dark cacao.

Unlike most candy bars, which are loaded with refined sugars and additives, dark organic cacao offers antioxidants, magnesium, and iron which are all things your body actually wants. Plus, natural sweeteners like coconut sugar or maple syrup don’t create the insulin spikes that regular sugar does, keeping your energy more stable. It’s about giving your body what it craves at a deeper level, rather than feeding into the short-term high of commercial chocolate.

So this fall, whether you’re trick-or-treating, celebrating Día de los Muertos, or just cozying up with a good book, treat yourself to something that supports your glow goals and skip the sugar crash.

Healthy Fall Treat Alternatives:

1. Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls

These little bites are packed with nutrients and flavor:

• Ingredients:

1 cup oats

1/2 cup almond butter

1/4 cup pumpkin purée

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 teaspoon pumpkin spice

1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (optional, depending on your sweetness preference)

• Instructions: Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Roll into bite-sized balls. Store in the fridge for a grab-and-go snack.

2. Homemade Caramel Apple Slices

A fun take on a fall favorite with no corn syrup in sight:

• Ingredients:

1/2 cup pitted dates (soaked in warm water)

1 tablespoon almond butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Thin apple slices

Crushed nuts or seeds for topping

• Instructions: Blend soaked dates, almond butter, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over apple slices and sprinkle with crushed nuts.

3. Dark Chocolate-Covered Almonds

Satisfy that chocolate craving the right way:

• Ingredients:

1 cup raw almonds

1/2 cup organic dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher)

1 tablespoon coconut oil

• Instructions: Melt chocolate with coconut oil over low heat. Dip almonds in chocolate, place on a parchment-lined tray, and chill in the fridge.

Why dark cacao over commercial bars? Unlike most candy bars, which are loaded with refined sugars and additives, dark organic cacao offers antioxidants, magnesium, and iron—all things your body actually wants. Plus, natural sweeteners like coconut sugar or maple syrup don’t create the insulin spikes that regular sugar does, keeping your energy more stable.

4. Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas

For a snack that’s crunchy and satisfying:

• Ingredients:

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 tablespoon coconut sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon coconut oil

• Instructions: Toss chickpeas with cinnamon, coconut sugar, and oil. Roast at 400°F for 20-30 minutes, stirring halfway through.

5. Maple-Spiced Popcorn

A light and cozy snack for fall nights:

• Ingredients:

1/2 cup popcorn kernels

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• Instructions: Pop the kernels in coconut oil. Drizzle with maple syrup and sprinkle cinnamon on top.

When you swap commercial candy for whole foods like these, you’re not just cutting sugar you’re filling your body with the nutrients it craves. Commercial chocolate bars are often loaded with additives and refined sugars that your body struggles to process, leading to energy crashes and cravings for more. On the other hand, organic dark cacao is a powerhouse of nutrients like magnesium, which helps with relaxation and stress management, and iron, which supports energy levels.