Halloween is right around the corner. Are you as excited as I am? It’s been a while since I’ve gone trick-or-treating, but I still enjoy handing out candy (while sneaking some myself).
The only problem is that most halloween candies are pretty unhealthy, not to mention un-vegan. Nearly all classic candies contain refined sugar, which some vegans avoid because it is processed using animal bone-char. If that doesn’t turn you off, then the abundance of dairy, artificial additives, and preservatives in the candy just might.
For these reasons, I avoid supporting the typical processed sweets that surround this holiday. But that doesn’t mean that I’ll settle for a night of unsalted-pretzel packs and boxes of raisins.
I remember how disappointing it was to find that in my pillowcase as a kid. But at least I knew what houses to avoid the following year.
The good news is that in this day and age, there’s an alternative for just about anything. These simple swaps enable you to maintain your healthy and creulty-free values without sacrificing taste.
With these swaps, you and your trick-or-treaters probably won’t even miss “the real thing”.
Trolli Sour Gummi Worms
Why they’re not vegan:
- Gelatin- made from skin, cartilage and bones of cows and pigs. Need I say more?
Other yucky stuff:
- Artificial colors- linked to ADHD, can increase susceptibility to allergies
- Artificial flavors- linked to physical and psychological problems
- Corn syrup- high possibility of being GMO when not labeled as organic
Try this instead: Surf Sweets Sour Worms
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Why they’re not vegan:
- Milk/milk products
Other yucky stuff:
- PGPR- cheaper alternative to cocoa butter, composed of fatty acids from castor oil (and also sometimes soybean oil)
- Soy lecithin- high possibility of being GMO when not labeled as organic
- TBHQ- preservative with many negative side effects when consumed in large amounts
Try this instead: Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Butterfinger
- Milk/milk products
Other yucky stuff
- Artificial colors
- Artificial flavors
- Cornflakes/cornstarch- high possibility of being GMO when not labeled as organic
- Hydrogenated oils- (a.k.a. trans fats) linked to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, the list goes on
- Soy lecithin
- TBHQ
Try this instead: Thumb’s Up Candy Bar by GoMaxGo
Snicker’s
- Milk/milk products
- Egg whites
Other yucky stuff:
- Corn syrup
- Hydrogenated oils
- Soy lecithin
- Artificial flavors
Try this instead: Jokerz Candy Bar by GoMaxGo
Raisinets
Why they’re not vegan:
- Confectioner’s glaze- (a.k.a. shellac) a resin secreted by lac bug. Yum, yum.
- Milk/milk products
Other yucky stuff:
- Artificial flavors
- Soy lecithin
Try this instead: Dairy Free Chocolate Covered Raisins by Fabulous Freedfrom Factory
Brach’s Milk Maid Caramels
Why they’re not vegan:
- Egg whites
- Milk/milk products
Other yucky stuff:
- Artificial colors
- Artificial flavors
- Corn syrup/corn starch
- Hydrogenated oils
- Soy protein- high possibility of being GMO when not labeled as organic
Try this instead: Cocomels
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Photo: Unsplash
