Why Halloween Treats are Scarier Than Horror Flicks

Photo by Vinicius “amnx” Amano on Unsplash

Halloween will never be the same without fancy treats. But with this current global crisis—COVID-19, people must learn to eat better and be conscious of every food they eat, whether these are full dishes or their favourite sweet snacks.

But imagine looking at the ingredients list of your favourite Halloween treats and finding chemically-looking stuff 😱🤯. Are you sure you want those in your mouth? To help you have a sweeter Halloween, we’ve listed the most common ingredients you should watch out for.

Five Common Ingredients You Should Watch Out

1. GELATINE - Comes from animal by-products or animal carcasses removed and cleared by knackers which include skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals such as domesticated cattle, chicken, pigs, and fish. It is most common in our popular treats sold in the market and even lies behind marshmallows.
2. FOOD COLOURING - We like sweets that are bright and colourful but they may carry health risks. Study shows these additives raise health concerns such as hyperactivity, cancer, and allergies. In fact, in 1950, food dye Orange #1 has been banned from candies because it was linked to illness in children.
3. CARMINE - Another dye product that hides behind names such as carminic acid, Natural Red 4, C.I. 75470, or E120. It is extracted from little dead bodies called cochineal. Cochineal insects are not that familiar to us as ants or ladybugs, but we can see these ingredients in our grocery stores, even in makeup. The result of their cruel death is the red colouring in our treats.
4. HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL - A processed palm oil similar to other tropical oils like coconut, palm kernel, and palm oils contain a lot of saturated fat. Most food makers use these as substitutes for trans fat but they may not be healthy either. This hydrogenated process also creates trans fat that is particularly bad for your cholesterol levels. According to Mayo Clinic, it increases your LDL “bad” cholesterol and decreases your HDL “good” cholesterol.
5. SUGAR - Sugar is not toxic especially when eaten in moderation. You should keep in mind that sugar is calorically dense and low in nutrients. It is disguised as other different ingredients such as corn sweetener, high-fructose corn syrup, evaporated cane juice, fruit juice concentrates, maltodextrin, and dextrose. But if you want to go sugar-free, perhaps try Love Bears andHappy Bears, wherein you get to enjoy the sweetness of life minus sugar. 😉

The Alternative

Candy binges could expose you and your family to many unhealthy substances, especially during this Halloween season (much frightening than your favourite horror flicks 👀😱). But plant-based sweets can be a substitute and are the best alternative to date.

Jealous Sweets is making its way globally, offering you with shamelessly tasty and gluten-free sweets. Each recipe is crafted to take confectionery to a new level with no artificial colours, synthetic flavours, and no palm oil. They are all made with real fruit juices.

You can safely enjoy it with other plant-based product alternatives and indulge in guilt-free and cruelty-free treats, anytime and anywhere you go. 😉🤤

There may be a lot of candy built on junk ingredients, but it should not hinder you from enjoying a fang-tastic Halloween. However, you should be cautious and be mindful of your eating habits. Sure, sweets are a good source of energy. But remember, moderation and a balanced diet are critical to a healthier and happier life. As the old saying goes, anything too much is bad for you. Practice moderation in all things at all times. Happy Halloween, Witches! 🎃🧙