WORTH THE HYPE: THE HALLOWEEN TREATS I’D ACTUALLY PUT IN MY BASKET

I am not here to tell you that every Halloween lolly needs a wellness makeover.

Sometimes the treat you want is the treat you want, and I am very much in favour of letting it be that simple.

But if you are putting together a Halloween bowl, want some fun options for the kids, have allergies to navigate, or simply love trying products that taste good without all the artificial colours and a truckload of sugar, these are the ones I would actually buy.

FUNDAY Natural Sweets
Best for: the low-sugar lolly girlies

FUNDAY is my pick if you want the fun of party mix, sour cola bottles, peaches and cream or a lolly pop without the usual sugar hit. They are made with tapioca and chicory-root fibre, stevia, natural colours and flavours, with no added sugar or sugar alcohols.

Their newer chocolate range also looks very fun for Halloween if you can find it: think raspberry bullets, milk-chocolate bullets and chocolate-coated banana bites.

The only little nutrition-nerd note is that chicory-root fibre can be very enthusiastic for some guts. If you know inulin normally leaves you bloated or racing to the toilet, perhaps do not make a full bag of these a personal challenge.

Available in: Australia and New Zealand, with international shipping including the US and UK.
My pick: Sour Cola Bottles or Party Mix.

SmartSweets
Best for: US readers who love a sour gummy

SmartSweets has come a long way from the early days of “healthy lollies that taste vaguely like sadness.”

Their Sour Blast Buddies are the one I would go for: genuinely sour, colourful and fun, with 3 g of sugar and 6 g of fibre per bag, no added sugar and no synthetic dyes. They also have Halloween Mini Sweet Fish and Sour Zombie Buddies if you want something on-theme.

Available in: US and Canada.
My pick: Sour Blast Buddies or the Halloween Mini Sweet Fish.

YumEarth
Best for: allergy-friendly trick-or-treating

YumEarth is not trying to pretend sugar does not exist. Their Halloween gummies contain organic cane sugar and rice syrup, which is completely fine.

What makes them a standout is that they are organic, vegan, gluten-free, free from artificial dyes and made without the most common allergens. If you are putting together treats for a classroom, party or a mixed group of children where you do not know everyone’s dietary needs, that inclusion piece matters.

Available in: US.
My pick: Halloween Gummy Fruits or Sour Littles.

UNREAL Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Best for: the chocolate person who does not really care about lollies

I am including these because sometimes you want a proper chocolate moment, not another gummy.

UNREAL’s dark-chocolate peanut butter cups have a short, recognisable ingredient list and less sugar than a traditional peanut butter cup, without trying to taste like a “diet” version of one. They are rich, salty and actually satisfying.

They are obviously not the one for a nut-allergy-friendly Halloween bowl, but they are a very good option for the person hiding the good treats at the back of the pantry.

Available in: US.
My pick: Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.

Whittaker’s Mini Slabs
Best for: a reminder that regular chocolate is still allowed

This one is not a low-sugar pick, and that is exactly why it belongs here.

Whittaker’s is good chocolate. The mini slabs are festive, easy to share and taste like the real thing because they are the real thing. You do not need to choose the “better-for-you” option every single time to be a healthy person.

Sometimes the worth-the-hype choice is simply buying the chocolate you genuinely want, enjoying it, and not turning it into a big deal.

Available in: New Zealand and Australia.
My pick: Creamy Milk Chocolate mini slabs.

My actual Halloween philosophy

The best option is not the one with the lowest sugar, the shortest ingredient list or the most impressive health halo. It is the one that works for you.

Maybe that is a FUNDAY party mix because you love the flavour and your gut tolerates it well. Maybe it is allergy-friendly YumEarth for the kids coming to your door. Maybe it is the chocolate peanut butter cup you actually crave. Maybe it is a bowl of the classic lollies you grew up with. 

All of those can belong in a healthy life! Happy Halloween! xo