Our Current Healthy Obsessions: Better-For-You Candy

Candy

We all have a sweet tooth that kicks in from time to time, but conventional candy brands are loaded with corn syrup, processed sugar, food dyes, and many other ingredients that are less than ideal for our health. Instead of skipping out on candy altogether, we believe in moderation. Rather than depriving ourselves of anything sweet, we indulge in one of the many better-for-you candy brands on the market. These are some of my telehealth functional medicine team's favorite sweet treats!

Honey Mama

Andrea C. - Honey Mama's Chocolate

"One of my favorite candies is Honey Mama's Chocolate! It has the best flavors and really kicks any craving that I have for chocolate, while being (for me) guilt free!"

Melon

Emily M. - Smart Sweets Sourmelon Bites

"Smart Sweets are a game changer when I have a sweet craving. It's not always easy finding low sugar options with good quality ingredients that actually taste good. But all of their products come through in those areas. My favorite option right now is the watermelon sours!"

Sour Flower

Erin M. - Hey Yum! Sour Flower

"My current favorite candy is Hey Yum! Sour Flowers! I've always been more of a sour candy type of girl, so discovering this fun bag of organic GF sour gummies was a super win! They're like sour patches but a little bigger and better for you. They've got all you need to fulfill that sour tart fix while still being a little sweet towards the end!"

Peachrings

Hollie D. - Smart Sweets Peach Rings

"Smart Sweets Peach Rings have become a go-to in my Target pickup order. These are a great alternative when it comes to craving classic peach rings. These sweet treats are naturally flavored and colored, with no added sugar or sugar alcohols. I don't experience the extreme sugar crash that I typically do after eating candy that is loaded with sugar and artificial dyes."

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Choc

Josh B. - Choc Zero Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

“Ever since I was a kid I've always loved the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. However, most peanut butter candies were full of sugar and unwanted additives that I didn't want to invite into my body. When I found Choc Zero Peanut Butter Cups, I was finally able to enjoy the taste of creamy peanut butter and chocolate again. With no added sugars or dairy, and being gluten free - this is the perfect snack when I'm having those sweet, but salty cravings!"

Lilys

Maddy B. - Lilly's Dark Chocolate Covered Caramels

"My favorite candy will always be chocolate! Lily's Dark Chocolate Caramels are my favorite alternative to the chocolate candies that I had as a kid. They are sweetened with stevia, gluten free, and have much cleaner ingredients than the alternatives. I don't feel sluggish or get the crash that happens with a typical chocolate candy. I like to add these to charcuterie boards or just have a few when I'm craving some chocolate - a definite must-have in my pantry!"

Organic

Megan R. - Organic Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans

"I love this candy because it combines two of my absolute favorite things: chocolate and espresso! The ingredients are organic and ethically sourced, lightly sweetened by coconut sugar with the perfect crunch. I love the stronger taste of espresso and keep them in the fridge year-round for a healthier treat that is lower in sugar and with quality ingredients."
Coconut

Janice D. - Coconut Love Clusters

“If there’s anything I got from my mom it’s a love for coconut! I’m not much of a candy person, but anytime I’m looking for something sweet, Coconut Love Clusters are usually my go-to. With only a few ingredients - most of them being organic - it’s a “candy” I can feel good about. My favorite part is that my toddler loves them as much as my mom and I do!”

Choc

Sarah M. -  Endangered Species Chocolate - Almonds Sea Salt + Dark Chocolate

"When reaching for something sweet, my favorite candy has always been chocolate!  My newest found favorite is the Endangered Species Chocolate as it is delicious, while also being low in ingredients, non-gmo, and vegan, not including any dairy products. In addition, 10% of all of the profits this company receives go towards conservation organizations which helps protect and support wildlife across the world. Knowing the quality, as well as the mission behind this choice of chocolate makes it all the more enjoyable!"
Hu

Tara R. - Hu Salty Dark Chocolate

"Chocolate is my love language so when I feel like having a healthy chocolate I pick up Hu chocolate bars. My favorite is the Salty Dark Chocolate - love the salty + sweet combo! It's made with 70% organic cacao, so it has those dark chocolate benefits. It's not only dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan, but also free of things typically used in chocolate - such as emulsifiers and soy lecithin. Also, the best part is it's the most yummy!"

 

As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe. 

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WRITTEN BY A GUEST AUTHOR

Evidence-based reviewed article

REVIEWED BY DR. WILL COLE

Dr. Will Cole, IFMCP, DNM, DC, leading functional medicine expert, consults people around the world via webcam and locally in Pittsburgh. He received his doctorate from Southern California University of Health Sciences and post doctorate education and training in functional medicine and clinical nutrition. He specializes in clinically researching underlying factors of chronic disease and customizing a functional medicine approach for thyroid issues, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, and brain problems. Dr. Cole was named one of the top 50 functional medicine and integrative doctors in the nation and is the best selling author of Ketotarian and The Inflammation Spectrum.