Halloween Candy: Which Brands Are Healthiest?

While skipping the sugary holiday treats all together would be the wisest choice, not splurging on mini candy bars during Halloween seems almost sinful. 

Trick-or-treating in Menomonee Falls is scheduled from 5:30-8 p.m. on Monday, meaning pillow cases will be filled to the brim with these unhealthy, but oh-so-tasty sweets.To get a head start on the goodie grabbing, the Village Centre is hosting its downtown trick-or-treat event from 4-7 p.m. Thursday.

According to dietitian and author Gloria Tsang of HealthCastle.com, while no treat is good for you, there are a few things you can keep in mind while helping your children dig through the night's haul. 

• PayDay vs. Reese Peanut Butter Cups: PayDay is the better choice because it lists fewer chemicals and is the only candy to list peanuts as their first ingredient rather than sugar.

• Kit Kat vs. Twix: Kit Kat wins because, while they both have about the same calories and sugar, Kit Kat has a shorter ingredient list. Also, Twix is described as a carmel treat, but carmel isn't listed in the ingredients. 

• M&Ms vs. Skittles: It's a close call because both contain artificial coloring and wax, but M&Ms have less sugar and a tiny bit of calcium and protien. 

• Baby Ruth vs. Snickers: There's not exactly a winner here because both are pretty awful for you. However, Snickers loses only because the portion is larger meaning there are more calories. 
  
  
• Mounds vs. Almond Joy: Mounds wins because of its shorter ingredient list. It also doesn't contain any partially hydrogenated oil like in Almond Joy.

• 3 Musketeers vs. Hershey Milk Chocolate: The 3 Musketeers wins this match because, unlike many candies surveyed, it actually contains real cocoa powder. 

• Whoppers vs. Milk Duds: Whoppers wins, because, not only do they have fewer calories, but they don't stick to your teeth when eating them!