Thursday, October 29, 2009

Green Girl Eats: Halloween's Tricky Treats


In honor of Halloween, let’s talk about tricks and treats….well actually, let’s talk about the hidden tricks within treats.

As most of you know, candy is best consumed in moderation (only once in awhile). Here’s why:

- Candy is high in white sugar—a highly refined product. A refined product undergoes various chemical processes to remove all original and healthy nutrients.
- Candy has no nutrient-value; it is “empty calories.”
- Sugar consumption affects the following organs: spleen-pancreas, stomach, kidney, and liver.
- Sugar passes quickly into the bloodstream and in doing so, shocks and weakens the digestive system resulting in blood sugar imbalances that create cravings for more sugar.
- Refined sugar consumption is linked to all contemporary degenerative health problems, including (but not limited to) weight gain issues and chronic diseases.

Even sugar-free candies can be harmful to your health; these types of candies contain man-made artificial sweeteners (sugar substitutes): aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose. There is much medical evidence that supports the dangers of artificial sweeteners. Read this.

But don’t fret Green Girls—you can still participate in all of the treat-eating this holiday season and still feel good about your choices.

Below is a list of all-natural candy-product alternatives to satisfy your sweet tooth this Halloween:
(I have tasted all of these products, and as a person with a HUGE sweet tooth, I highly-recommend these treats to anyone and everyone)

- Instead of a Hershey Chocolate Bar, try a Dagoba Chocolate Bar
- Instead of gummy worms, enjoy a bag of Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks
- Instead of chocolate covered raisins, make a bag of trail mix with Tropical Source Chocolate Chips and organic raisins
- Instead of Oreos or Chips Ahoy, try the Late July or Newman’s Own line of cookies
- Instead of a Snickers bar or any other bar with nuts, choose a Clif bar in your flavor of choice

Happy Halloween!

Get Green Girl wants to know:
How do you snack healthfully everyday? Have any tips for satisfying a sweet tooth with natural sweets? Share your tips and secrets!

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