If Halloween isn’t a time to indulge, we don’t know what is! But that doesn’t mean you should get spooked by the thought of a candy-filled, calorie-laden celebration, notes Keri Glassman, nutritionist and author of “The New You (and Improved!) Diet.”
“Whatever snack you do choose to indulge in, make sure you eat it slowly, savoring every delicious bite,” advises Glassman. “That will help you to feel satisfied without going overboard.” Speaking of overboard, keep in mind that candy marked “king size” is a red flag for a scary portion of calories, sugar and fat. Instead, opt for the smaller “fun size” treat to satisfy your sweet tooth while controlling the portion size.
To help you—and your waistline—enjoy Halloween without derailing your diet, here are nine not-so-scary treats that are all under 250 calories.
1Starbucks Tall Non-Fat, No Whip
Nothing says fall like pumpkin. This tasty Starbucks seasonal favorite will not only warm you up on a cool morning, but with only 200 calories, you can also enjoy it guilt-free. Plus, you’ll get in 11 grams of protein and 40 percent of your daily calcium before you even hit the office.
Calories: 200
Fat: 0 grams
Sugar: 37 grams
2Dunkin’ Donuts Pumpkin Munchkin
Don’t want to waste 380 calories on a pumpkin pie donut? Indulge in a pumpkin munchkin—or three—instead, and you’ll save half the calories.
Calories: 60 each
Fat: 2.5 grams
Sugar: 4 grams
3Russell Stover’s Cinnamon Candy Apples
You don’t have to bob for apples to bite into this seasonal treat. Candied apples can be tricky to eat, but they pack a nice nutritional punch with essential fiber and vitamin C.
Calories: 150 calories (1/2 apple)
Fat: 0 grams
Sugar: 36 grams
4Chocolate Popcor
Popcorn is one of the lowest-calorie snacks out there. One whole cup (air-popped) has just 31 calories. This leaves you plenty of room to drizzle on some melted dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses on top for a satisfying crunchy, sweet treat.
Calories: 221 (one cup popcorn + 9 melted dark chocolate kisses)
Fat: 12 grams
Sugar: 21 grams
5Rice Krispies Treats
Nothing says treat like these sweet, gooey squares. Not only are they low in calories and fat, but they are also a cinch to make—just three ingredients, hello!
Calories: 140 for two squares
Fat: 3 grams
Sugar: 14 grams
6Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds
If you’re not a fan of dark chocolate, reach for a milk chocolate bar with almonds. One Hershey’s Almond regular size (1.45 ounce) bar has fewer calories than your 250-calorie cut-off. “The addition of almonds not only adds crunch but also 4 grams of protein,” says Glassman. “Just remember, it’s still a candy bar!”
Calories: 210
Fat: 14 grams
Sugar: 19 grams
7Godiva Pumpkin Patch Truffles
If you want to splurge beyond the candy aisle, get yourself some pumpkin patch truffles from Godiva for fewer calories than you’d think. At $3 apiece, though, you’ll probably want to keep these out of the candy bowl for trick or treaters.
Calories: 210 (for two truffles)
Fat: 12 grams
Sugar: 16 grams
8Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Kisses
At just over 20 calories each, you can seriously indulge in a handful of these decadent morsels and still come in under 250 calories. What’s even sweeter is that the flavonoids in dark chocolate have been linked to a better complexion and lower levels of heart disease.
Calories: 190 (nine pieces)
Fat: 12 grams
Sugar: 21 grams
9York Peppermint Patty
One Peppermint Patty has only 140 calories with less fat than a typical candy bar (one regular-size Snickers bar has 12 grams of fat). Although they don’t have any major nutritional benefits, Glassman says they are a more sensible solution than most candies when it comes to taming your sweet tooth. “And that minty flavor makes them even more satisfying, making it easier to stick to just one.”
Calories: 140
Fat: 2.5 grams
Sugar: 25 grams
