11 Best Healthy Candy Alternatives for Every Craving
To find the best lower-sugar options, we had registered dietitians and taste testers evaluate dozens of products.
Reviewed by Valerie Agyeman, R.D.Contributing Writer
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You might be surprised to learn that the average American consumes 60 pounds of sugar each year. On a daily basis, that’s about 77 grams of sugar — well above the American Heart Association's recommendation of no more than 25 grams (6 teaspoons) for women and 36 grams (9 teaspoons) for men.
While candy is a major source of added sugar in the typical American diet, there’s no need to worry — you can still enjoy your treats! As a nutritionist, I believe in moderation and balance over restriction, but it’s still important to keep an eye on your added sugar intake. Research shows consuming too many sweets can increase chronic inflammation and raise the risk of health problems like diabetes, cancer and heart disease. While you may get quick energy in the form of a blood sugar surge, you'll subsequently experience a sugar crash, which can lead to irritability, fatigue and more.
"Even 'healthier' candy is still candy and not likely to be a significant source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients," said Lauren Harris-Pincus, M.S., R.D.N., founder of NutritionStarringYou.com and author of The Everything Easy Pre-Diabetes Cookbook. "But candy in small amounts fits into an overall nutrient-rich diet — a piece of dark chocolate or fruit snacks made with real fruit can satisfy a sweet tooth while providing some nutrients."
To find the best lower-sugar options, our team of registered dietitians in the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab alongside a panel of taste testers evaluated dozens of options to bring you this list of the best healthy candy based on nutrition and flavor.
SOLELY Organic Mango and Guava Whole Fruit Gummies (40 bags)
A staff favorite, these whole fruit gummies are made with fruit and vitamin C – that's it. They are free from added sugars or artificial coloring, and each pouch has one whole serving of fruit. Plus, they're vegan, organic and yummy so they'll make the perfect addition to anyone's trick-or-treat bag.
Flavors include mango, mango orange and mango guava. “Love these!" said one of our testers. "They have the same consistency as a candy fruit snack. Loved how chewy they were, and the mango flavor had a great sweet taste. My 5-year-old liked them too!”
Nutrition facts (per pouch): 60 calories, 0 g total fat, 0 mg sodium, 13 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 6 g total sugars, 0 g added sugars, 0 g protein
Our editors and analysts love the great variety of products with thoughtful ingredients from Unreal. Our nutrition pros especially appreciate the use of Fair Trade chocolate and that the candies are free from sugar alcohols. They are all Non-GMO Project Verified too.
There are dark chocolate coconut bars, peanut butter and almond butter cups (some of which have crispy quinoa for a nice crunch), dark chocolate quinoa gems and more. "I love that the gems don't have any artificial dyes," a parent tester said.
Nutrition facts (per dark chocolate coconut bar): 70 calories, 5 g total fat, 4.5 g sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 mg sodium, 8 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 3 g total sugars, 3 g added sugars, <1g protein
These dairy-free caramels, made with coconut milk, have no corn syrup and are USDA organic too. Each piece has only about 2 grams of sugar — plus they're gluten-free with no artificial ingredients. And they have that wonderful sweet-and-salty thing going for them, making them an indulgent Halloween treat. Testers really enjoyed them, with one who said that they had "the perfect amount of chew!"
Nutrition facts (per three pieces): 60 calories, 2 g total fat, 2 g sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 80 mg sodium, 9 g carbs, <1 g fiber, 7 g total sugars, 7 g added sugars, 0 g protein
SmartSweets Candy Variety Pack (8 Pack)
SmartSweets candies have no sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners or added sugar. No fake colors either: The vivid hues come from fruit and veggie juices. This choice is also high in fiber, so our dietitians said it's best to stick to no more than one bag a day.
Enjoy remakes of your childhood favorites with these lighter versions: Sweet Fish, Peach Rings, Sourmelon Bites and Sour Blast Buddies. "I generally don’t like non-sugar products, but I didn’t taste any 'fakeness' in these candies," a tester said.
Nutrition facts (per pouch, Sweet Fish): 100 calories, 0 g total fat, 0 g sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 70 mg sodium, 42 g carb, 13 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 0 g added sugar, 0 g protein
SkinnyDipped Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups (24 Cups)
This brand is another staff favorite: You can hear the cheers when samples of the chocolate-covered almonds and cashews arrive at our office. Now the company has branched out into these low-sugar chocolate peanut butter cups which are made with a simple list of ingredients and are free from stevia. They also come in dark chocolate and caramel peanut.
One tester said that they had the "perfect amount of peanut butter and are super satisfying." They pack in a bit of protein and only 3 grams of added sugar per cup.
Nutrition facts (per one cup): 80 calories, 6 g total fat, 2.5 g sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 40 mg sodium, 7 g carb, <1 g fiber, 4 g total sugars, 3 g added sugars, 2 g protein
RELATED: 30 Best High-Protein Snacks to Buy, According to Dietitians
Little Secrets Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt Crispy Wafers (12 Bars)
This better-for-you take on the classic crispy chocolate wafer uses Fair Trade chocolate and is free from artificial flavors or colors. They're just as delicious but without the corn syrup and hydrogenated oils of some other candies, and they have about 30% less sugar. The hint of sea salt is the perfect complement to the gourmet chocolate. Each individual pack comes with two wafers.
Nutrition facts (per package): 200 calories, 14 g total fat, 8 g sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 45 mg sodium, 19 g carb, 3 g fiber, 14 g total sugars, 14 g added sugars, 2 g protein
Pure Organic Layered Fruit Bars (24 bars)
Free from high-fructose corn syrup, these naturally sweet fruit leather bars are USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. They are made with real fruit purees and juices and come in a variety of fruity flavors.
Both our nutrition pros and testers loved how incredibly delicious the bars were and that a serving only has 4 grams of added sugar. Plus, the bars are free from any artificial dyes. "I took these on our weekend hike for some quick energy and they were the perfect quick fuel," a tester said.
Nutrition facts (per one bar): 50 calories, 0 g total fat, 0 g sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 mg sodium, 12 g carbs, <1 g fiber, 10 g total sugars, 4 g added sugars, 0 g protein
Simply Gum Peach & Raspberry Gummies
Simply Gum's peach and raspberry flavored gummies offer a perfect blend of the best of fruit snacks and traditional gummies, making them an exceptional choice for health-conscious snackers. Our experts were impressed by their use of real peaches and raspberries, which deliver a fruit flavor that sets them apart from typical gummy candies filled with artificial ingredients.
Utilizing natural pectin instead of gelatin, these gummies are a fantastic option for those seeking wholesome snacks without the excessive sugar found in other gummies. One tester remarked, “The flavor is vibrant and refreshing, with a perfect balance of sweetness that doesn't overwhelm.” An Amazon reviewer echoed this sentiment, saying, "The flavors are amazing, distinct, and not too sweet."
Nutrition facts per 11 pieces: 80 calories, 0 g total fat, 0 mg sodium, 21 g carbs, 7 g fiber, 12 g total sugar, 6 g added sugar, 0 g protein
This soft and chewy taffy has nearly half the sugar and more protein than traditional taffy, plus several vitamins and minerals to boot. You'll find fun flavors like Original Creme, Creamy Coconut, Caffeinated Coffee, Creamy Coconut and Strawberries and Cream.
This creamy-tasting candy is dairy-free and was a hit with taffy fans. Testers loved how flavorful they were, and our dietitians point out that a two-piece serving is an excellent source of iron and calcium.
Nutrition facts (per two pieces): 110 calories, 4 g total fat, 4 g sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 5 mg sodium, 18 g carb, 0 g fiber, 8 g total sugars, 7 g added sugars, 2 g protein
YumEarth Organic Fruit Flavored Pops (50 Count)
This brand of organic, allergy-friendly sweets is free of the top eight allergens, high fructose corn syrup or artificial dyes. The fun flavors include pomegranate, mango, strawberry and watermelon, and they're organic, gluten-free, kosher and vegan.
While organic sugar is still sugar, these pops are definitely a notch above the traditional kind. “My kids love these," said one tester, "and I feel good about giving the pops to them since they have no artificial dyes.”
Nutrition facts (per two pops): 45 calories, 0 g total fat, 0 g sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 mg sodium, 11 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 8 g total sugars, 8 g added sugars, 0 g protein
Alter Eco is known for its organic, low-sugar Fair Trade chocolate, and this assortment of 60 truffles contains no gluten or artificial sweeteners. They're USDA organic and made with incredible Ecuadorian chocolate.
Our nutrition pros also like that the wrappers are plant-based and compostable. Testers described them as the "perfect sweet treat, rich and creamy."
Nutrition facts (per piece): 80 calories, 6 g total fat, 4.5 g sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 10 mg sodium, 5 g total carb, 0 g fiber, 4 g total sugars, 1 g protein
How we test healthy candy
Registered dietitians in the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab evaluate dozens of treats to find the best in terms of nutrition and taste. Our pros look for low-sugar options that are made with thoughtful ingredients, prioritizing picks that are free from artificial flavors and additives.
We recruite real-life testers to help analyze flavor profiles, textures and more. Our top picks provide a variety of healthier alternatives to traditional favorites including gummies, chocolates, caramels, taffy and more.
Is there really such a thing as "healthy" candy?
Not necessarily. Candy isn't likely to be classified as a health food anytime soon, and even "healthier" options tend to contain decent amounts of added sugar. Sugar is sugar, regardless of whether or not it is organic or anything else.
That being said, better-for-you options, like the ones on this list, can satisfy a sweet tooth without as much added sugar as the traditional ones. Plus, the best options are free from artificial ingredients and food colorings. According to Harris-Pincus, "The key is not to view “healthier” candy as a reason to consume larger portion sizes or to crowd out other nutritious snacks."
You'll also notice that many low-sugar candies contain sugar alcohols. These tend to be generally recognized as safe to include in your diet in moderation. A major benefit of sugar alcohols is that they won't contribute to tooth decay like regular sugar will. It's recommended to limit sugar alcohol intake to no more than 10 to 15 grams per day. Sugar alcohols are still a source of carbohydrates, which is something to take note of if you are diabetic. They can also cause gastrointestinal upset since they are hard for the body to digest.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., NASM-CPT is a registered dietitian with an extensive knowledge of food labeling and nutrition requirements on food products, rigorously evaluating hundreds of claims for products that apply for the Good Housekeeping Seal. Growing up with a family in the restaurant business, Sassos was able to combine her nutrition expertise with culinary skills taught to her by her mother and grandmother. She's passionate about finding great-tasting products that provide a healthier alternative but don't sacrifice on quality.
Valerie Agyeman (she/her) is a women's health dietitian and the host of the Flourish Heights podcast, where she produces science-driven content covering overlooked nutrition, wellness and women’s health topics. She has over 10 years of combined nutrition communications, corporate wellness and clinical nutrition experience. Valerie is a trusted expert in the media, regularly appearing on networks such as Fox 5 DC, PIX-11, and ABC’s Good Morning Washington. She is also a contributing expert to publications like Women’s Health Magazine, Prevention, Good Housekeeping, and The Everygirl.
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