Halloween Candy Hacks
Halloween is just around the corner which means costumes, decorations, and of course, candy. Who is dreading a trick-or-treat bag full of Reeses, gummy bears, sour patch kids and all sorts of other treats? We all know the crazy frenzy our kids develop from eating so many sugary treats! And of course Halloween falls on a Monday this year which doesn't bode well for the Tuesday morning wake up!
As we are becoming more aware of what we put into our bodies, Halloween candy definitely needs to be part of the conversation. Read on to learn more about some of the scary, toxic ingredients in candy and some organic candy alternatives!
Toxic Ingredients in Candy?
Have you ever taken the time to try and read the ingredients on the label of the usual Halloween goodies? If you have spent time looking at labels you might have noticed there are a lot of ingredients that are hard to pronounce, and no where near close to actual foods. Here is a list of some of the scary, potentially toxic ingredients found in popular American Halloween candy.
Partially Hydrogenated Oils: High level of trans fats that increase the risk of developing heart disease and health problems. In 2018 the FDA even stepped in and started to create some regulations for partially hydrogenated oils.
Vanillin: imitation vanilla that is likely either synthesized from pulp or wood-tar creosote
TBHQ: Also known as tertiary butylhydroquinone is petroleum based and used in candy to extend the shelf life and delay the oxidation. While the FDA regulates how TBHQ can be used, when found in high doses this can be toxic to humans.
Artificial Colors: many artificial food dyes have been found to be petroleum-based. They have been found to cause hyperactivity in some children.
Artificial Preservatives: These have been shown to have negative long-term effects on your health such as: trigger asthma attacks, weaken heart tissue, contribute to hyperactivity, heart diseases and even cancer.
Is Organic Candy Healthier?
While organic candy isn’t necessarily healthy, the ingredients tend to be cleaner and the end product made with less chemicals. When shopping at the grocery store you can easily look for the USDA Organic label on certain candies. This means the candy has been certified by a third party and contains a certain percentage of organic ingredients. The Atlantic reports that if 95 percent of a product is made up of organic ingredients, it can be called organic. If it's 70 percent organic, the label can read "made with organic ingredients."
Why is organic Candy Better?
The USDA reports that, USDA certified organic foods are grown and processed according to federal guidelines which manage many factors including soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives. Organic producers rely on natural substances and physical, mechanical, or biologically based farming methods to the fullest extent possible. For example, the dairy within organic candy would be higher quality because of these practices. Not only is organic candy better for our bodies due to less chemicals, but also for the planet. Organic brands typically are more socially conscious when sourcing their ingredients.
Natural & Organic Candy Brands to Try!
Looking for some organic candy brands to try? Check out our swaps below! This is a great starting place if you’re trying to choose less toxic options this Halloween.
We can’t wait to hear what you think about our swaps! Let us know in the comments below!
