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Halloween Candy Dos & Don'ts

What are the best and worst candy options?

by Tanya Zuckerbrot, R.D.

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Q: I always overbuy Halloween candy and scarf down the leftovers. What are the best and worst candy options?

A: Short of giving out raisins or pencils, there are a few easy ways to avoid unwanted Halloween bloat. My advice:

1. Stick with chocolate. Two Tootsie Rolls or a pair of Hershey's Kisses are each only 50 calories. But keep that cocoa pure. Avoid bars with nuts, peanut butter, or caramel—all of which pack in additional calories.

2. Fruit flavors are good. Go for jelly beans or Skittles. Both are low cal—for candy. Starburst are another good option with just 20 calories per piece.

3. Be a sucker. The leanest bet of all is the one that actually lasts the longest: the Tootsie Pop. Unlike candies that you devour in seconds, lollipops have only 60 calories and stick around until you get bored and trash 'em.

About the Expert:
Tanya Zuckerbrot, R.D., is a NYC-based nutritionist and author of The F-Factor Diet.

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