Fall Festivities and Sweet Treats: How to Make Healthier Choices for Your Kids 🍬🍫

Fall Festivities and Sweet Treats: How to Make Healthier Choices for Your Kids 🍬🍫

 

As fall approaches, many of us find ourselves preparing for seasonal events filled with school parties and candy exchanges.

For parents, especially those with children on special diets or allergies, this time of year can bring a lot of concern about the quality of the treats being passed around.

I’m one of those moms, and if you’re like me, you’ve probably noticed that a lot of store-bought sweets are packed with artificial colors, sweeteners, preservatives, and common allergens like dairy, gluten, peanuts, soy, and eggs.

 

Popular Candy Ingredients: What’s Really Inside?

Let’s break down the ingredients in two popular treats, Skittles and Snickers, to understand why they might be concerning.

Candy Example: Skittles

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Skittles Ingredients:
Sugar, Corn Syrup, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Less Than 2% of: Citric Acid, Tapioca Dextrin, Modified Corn Starch, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Colors (Red 40 Lake, Titanium Dioxide, Red 40, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Blue 2 Lake, Blue 1, Blue 1 Lake), Sodium Citrate, Carnauba Wax.
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Problematic Ingredients:

  • Corn Syrup: Usually made from GMO corn, it spikes blood sugar and contributes to diabetes and obesity.
  • Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil: A processed oil that contains trans fats, linked to heart disease and inflammation.
  • Dextrose: A form of glucose that quickly raises blood sugar and can cause inflammation.
  • Artificial & Natural Flavors: Even "natural" flavors are often chemically processed, and they can affect the nervous system.
  • Artificial Colors: Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 have been associated with hyperactivity and allergic reactions in children.

 

 

 

    Chocolate Example: Snickers

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    Snickers Ingredients:
    Chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, milkfat, lactose, skim milk, soy lecithin), corn syrup, sugar, peanuts, dextrose, egg whites, palm oil, artificial flavor
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    Problem Ingredients:
    • Corn Syrup: As mentioned above, it’s GMO and can raise blood sugar and cause weight gain.
    • Palm Oil: While common, it’s bad for the environment and raises cholesterol.
    • Dextrose: Like corn syrup, it spikes blood sugar and promotes inflammation.
    • Artificial Flavor: Chemically created and can harm the nervous system.
    • Soy Lecithin: Used as an emulsifier, it may negatively impact gut health and cause digestive issues.

     

    The Impact of Cutting Back on Processed Foods

    Numerous studies have shown that reducing or eliminating artificial ingredients from children's diets can lead to noticeable improvements in behavior and health. For instance, a study highlighted that artificial colors, like Red 40, exacerbate ADHD symptoms, but when these were removed from the diet, kids experienced better focus and reduced hyperactivity​(NeuroLaunch.com). Another study found that sugar and artificial additives increase hyperactivity and attention problems in children​(Verywell Health)​(NeuroLaunch.com). Parents have also reported improved sleep quality and mood stability when processed foods were cut back.

     

     

     

    Healthier Candy Alternatives for Kids

    Thankfully, there are great alternatives to conventional candy that are free from harmful ingredients. Here are some safe and delicious options that both you and your kids can feel good about:

     

     

    • YumEarth

      (Note: Contains natural flavors)

      YumEarth Organic Lollipops: Made with real fruit extracts and organic sugar. Gluten-free and vegan.


     

    • YumEarth Organic Fruit Snacks: Contains organic fruit concentrate and sugar. Gluten-free and vegan.

     

    • YumEarth Organic Hard Candies: Organic sugar and natural fruit flavor.

     

     

     

     

    • Enjoy Life
    Enjoy Life Chocolate Bars: Made with organic sugar and cocoa butter. Dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free.

       

       

       

       

      • Lärabar


         

         

        Smart Shopping Tips for Healthy Snacks

        You don’t need to spend a fortune to provide your kids with healthier alternatives. Here are some savvy shopping tips:

        1. Buy in Bulk

          • Amazon often offers discounts for bulk purchases. If you subscribe to regular deliveries through Subscribe & Save, you can get up to 15% off on brands like YumEarth or SmartSweets.
          • Amazon Subscribe & Save

        2. Use Discount Codes and Coupons

        3. Explore Discount Websites

          • iHerb and Thrive Market offer discounted prices on organic and natural products. Thrive Market operates on a membership basis, but the savings can be significant.
          • iHerb
          • Thrive Market

           

           

          Conclusion

          Fall events bring lots of fun and excitement for kids, but keeping them healthy should always be a priority. By choosing healthier alternatives like the ones I’ve shared, your kids can still enjoy their sweet treats without risking their health. And don’t forget to use the smart shopping tips to snag these goodies at a better price! 😊

           

           

          Research Sources:

           

           

          Tags: #HealthySnacks #KidFriendlyTreats #AllergyFreeCandy #NoArtificialIngredients #FallEventTreats #OrganicSnacks #VeganCandy #SpecialDietSnacks #NaturalIngredients #CutProcessedFoods

           

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