Defending Vegetables: The tricks and treats of Halloween!

Monday, October 31, 2011

The tricks and treats of Halloween!

First: A history lesson.

Halloween has traditionally been a holiday where one "trick-or-treats." This dates back to the early...................times when villagers were scared of ghosts or aliens or something and they put treats out in front of their houses in order to appease the "spirits." I don't really have time to go into exact details of dates or specific countries or religions, so just trust me. I for sure know what I'm talking about here.

Anyway, wherever the tradition came from, we have turned Halloween into a giant diabetes celebration. We dress up and then (before the age of 21 when candy turns to booze, and Halloween parties turn to lingerie fests) stuff our face with more chocolate and sugar than one should eat in an entire lifetime. (Except for those loser kids whose parents used to ration out their candy throughout the year.)

With this attitude in mind, last year I attempted to hand out super cute Halloween pencils!! Guess how that went. So, instead of listing some super awesome non-candy treats you could hand out, I'm going to list some of the "better" choices when it comes to candy! This way, you can feel a little better about yourself while judging (of course) your health un-conscious neighbor, but still not get egged by the brats across the street!

(Note: This list is based on macro-nutrient amounts. The lower choices have higher sugar and less calories, but the higher choices having more protein.)

10. 3 Musketeers (1/2 a bar)
     100 calories, 3g fat, 17.5g carbs, 15g sugar, .5g protein

9. Heath Bar (1/2 a bar)
     110 calories, 6.5g fat, 12g carbs, 12g sugar, .5g protein

8. Butter Finger (1/2 a bar)
     115 calories, 4.5g fat, 19g carbs, 12g sugar, 1.5g protein

7. Kit Kat (1 two-piece bar)
     115 calories, 6g fat, 14.5g carbs, 11g sugar, 1.5g protein

6. Hershey Bar (1/2 a bar)
     115 calories, 6.5g fat, 12.5g carbs, 11g sugar, 1.5g protein

5. Almond Joy (1/2 a bar)
     135 calories, 8g fat, 16g carbs, 12.5g sugar, 1g protein

4. Snickers (1/2 a bar)
     140 calories, 7g fat, 17.5g carbs, 15g sugar, 3g protein

3. Baby Ruth (1/2 a bar)
     140 calories, 6g fat, 16.5g carbs, 13.5g sugar, 2g protein

2. Peanut M&M’s (1/2 a bag)
     120 calories, 6g fat, 14g carbs, 11.5g sugar, 2g protein