The Top 5 Best and Worst Halloween Candy

29 October, 2025

Halloween is all about costumes, pumpkins, and of course, candy! But when it comes to the best and worst Halloween candy, not all sweets are created equal. Some treats are easier on your teeth and waistline, while others can haunt your health long after the trick-or-treating ends. At Raintree Athletic Club, we believe in balance: you can enjoy your favorite candies and stay on track with your fitness goals. Whether you’re lifting, swimming, or taking a yoga class at your favorite Fort Collins gym, here’s how to make smarter candy choices this spooky season.

✅ Top 5 Best Halloween Candy Choices

These aren’t “health foods,” but they tend to be less harmful compared to sticky, sour, or long-lasting sweets. Many dental and nutrition sources agree these are among the better options:

  1. Dark Chocolate / Plain Chocolate Bars
    – Chocolate dissolves relatively quickly, so sugar doesn’t linger on teeth as long.
    – Dark chocolate has slightly less sugar and more beneficial compounds (antioxidants).
    – Tip: Avoid chocolate with caramel, nougat, or other sticky fillings.

  2. Sugar-Free Hard Candies / Sugar-Free Gum
    – These don’t contain real sugar, so they don’t feed decay-causing bacteria.
    – Sugar-free gum helps promote saliva flow, which naturally rinses away acids.

  3. Peanut Butter Cups (Especially Dark Chocolate Versions)
    – Easier on teeth than sticky candies.
    – Nut content adds a bit of protein/fat to slow sugar absorption.

  4. Tootsie Rolls
    – These are chewy but generally less sticky than gummy bears, and they tend to break apart rather than cling persistently.
    – Because they dissolve over time, they don’t expose your enamel as long as some hard candies.

  5. Smarties / Minimal Sugar Candies / Candy with Smaller Sugar Load
    – In one ranking, Smarties were considered among the healthier picks because they have relatively low sugar per piece.
    – The idea is: smaller sugar doses, shorter exposure, easier removal.

❌ Top 5 Worst Halloween Candy Choices

These candies are particularly damaging because they linger on teeth, are very sticky, or combine sugar + acidity:

  1. Sticky & Chewy Candies (Gummy Bears, Taffy, Caramels)
    – They adhere to teeth and gums, making it harder to clean them off.
    – Bacteria feed on them over extended periods, increasing cavity risk.

  2. Hard Candies (Lollipops, Jawbreakers, Jolly Ranchers)
    – They dissolve slowly, so sugar is in contact with teeth for much longer.
    – Biting them can risk chipping or cracking teeth, especially if there’s already dental work.

  3. Sour Candies
    – The acid weakens enamel, while the sugar feeds bacteria. It’s a double hit.
    – Sour gummies are especially bad — sticky and acidic.

  4. Candy Corn
    – Nearly pure sugar, plus it’s sticky and waxy, so it clings to teeth.
    – It offers essentially no nutritional value — empty calories.

  5. Skittles, M&M’s, Other Pure Sugar Candies / Colorful Candies
    – These are made mostly of sugar, artificial dyes, corn syrup, and they tend to linger on dental work or in crevices.
    – Some dyes (e.g. Red 40) are controversial in health discussions.

🧠 Tips to Enjoy Candy Without Wrecking Progress

– Eat candy with or right after a meal. More saliva helps buffer acids.

– Rinse or drink water afterward to flush away lingering sugar.

– Chew sugar-free gum after candy to boost saliva.

– Brush—but wait ~30 minutes after acidic candies (so you don’t brush softened enamel).

– Limit the window. Instead of nibbling candy over days/weeks, eat your Halloween stash in shorter time periods to reduce prolonged exposure. (Some dentists even recommend “one candy fest + brush” over trickling candy consumption.)

– Donate extra candy or trade with a local buy-back program if your stash is overwhelming.

🏋️‍♂️ Why This Matters at Raintree Athletic Club

At Raintree Athletic Club, members come for fitness, strength, swimming, group classes, and a supportive community. But your nutrition outside the gym matters greatly to your results.

– A spike in sugar can disrupt energy, insulin regulation, recovery, and mood.
– Candy choices affect dental health, which can impact comfort when exercising, eating, or speaking.
– Indulging wisely means you can enjoy treats and maintain progress toward your goals.

If you’re searching for a “gym near me” or trying to decide between fitness clubs in Fort Collins, Raintree offers a full menu of amenities — from weight rooms and pools to wellness support. If you’re ever wondering whether to skip a workout because you “blew it” with Halloween candy, don’t! Use it as a learning moment, not a setback.