For many of us, the scariest part of Halloween is the heightened potential for calorie overload.  Of course, the best defense is a strong willpower.  But if you’re sensing your defenses weakening, your best bet is to buy and eat candy that is not terribly high in calories, fat, and sugar.  Unfortunately, that’s something of a tall order where typical Halloween treats are concerned.  Here are some of your best bets for Halloween candy:

For Nutty Candy

Choose:

Snickers Fun Size

80 calories; 1.5 g. saturated fat; 8 g. sugar

Avoid:

Baby Ruth Fun Size

85 calories; 2.3 g. saturated fat; 10 g. sugar

Candy Pieces

Choose:

Reese’s Pieces Snack Size

67 calories; 2.7 g. saturated fat; 7.3 g. sugar

Avoid:

M&Ms Peanut Fun Size

90 calories; 1.8 g. saturated fat; 9 g. sugar

Wafery/Cookie Bars

Choose:

Kit Kat Snack Size

70 calories; 2.3 g. saturated fat; 7 g. sugar

Avoid:

Twix Fun Size

80 calories; 3 g. saturated fat; 8 g. sugar

Caramel Candy Pieces

Choose:

Milk Duds Snack Size

53 calories; 1.2 g. saturated fat; 9 g. sugar

Avoid:

Rolo Snack Pack

80 calories; 2.5 g. saturated fat; 11 g. sugar

Gummy Candy

Choose:

Sour Patch Kids Mini Bag

50 calories; 0 g. saturated fat; 10 g. sugar

Avoid:

Dots Mini Box

70 calories; 0 g. saturated fat; 11 g. sugar

Fruity Candy

Choose:

Starburst Fun Size

40 calories; .8 g. saturated fat; 6 g. sugar

Avoid:

Skittles Fun Size

60 calories; .7 g. saturated fat; 11 g. sugar

Hard Tart Candy

Choose:

Smarties

25 calories; 0 g. saturated fat; 6 g. sugar

Avoid:

Nerds Mini Box

50 calories; 0 g. saturated fat; 12 g. sugar

Chewy Candy

Choose:

Wonka Mini Laffy Taffy

30 calories; .3 g. saturated fat; 4.2 g. sugar

Avoid:

Sugar Daddy

53 calories; .2 g. saturated fat; 8 g. sugar

Mixed Candy Bars

Choose:

3 Musketeers Fun Size

63 calories; 1.3 g. saturated fat; 10 g. sugar

Avoid:

Butterfinger Fun Size

85 calories; 1.8 g. saturated fat; 8.5 g. sugar

and

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Snack Size

110 calories; 2.5 g. saturated fat; 11 g. sugar

Sugary Candy Pieces

Choose:

Brach’s Candy Corn Fun Size Bag

53 calories; 0 g. saturated fat; 11.7 g. sugar

Avoid:

Sugar Babies Snack Size

80 calories; 0 g. saturated fat; 15 g. sugar

Despite all your good intentions, it’s challenging trying to avoid diet derailment this time of year.  Here are a few tips for avoiding weight creep from Halloween candy this year:

1. Purchase candy you don’t like – then you’ll be less likely to eat it.
2. Proactively manage your hunger so that you don’t experience hunger pangs.  Keep healthy finger foods and snacks readily available both at home and at work so that you’re reaching for those almonds or apple slices instead of the Snack Size Snickers.  Eat a good, healthy breakfast and lunch, and in between meals sip on a low cal beverage like tea.
3. Hide the candy – out of sight = out of mind.
4. Remember Coach Stacy’s mantra:  Everything in moderation.  Enjoy one piece of your favorite candy – eat it slowly and savor every bite.
5. Schedule a little extra physical activity to help burn off candy calories.