Healthy Halloween with Caramel Popcorn

It’s coming up to Halloween, and Australia is more excited than ever. When I was 17, an exchange student living in Canada, I took my sisters out to trick-or-treat. The costumes and houses were fantastic, but what really amazed me was that every child brought home a pillowcase filled to the brim with sweets.

As a parent who is food conscious, I am now asking myself: How do I deal with this national sugar-fueled event? For me, the answer is that I will do it in moderation. The idea of going out with friends and dressing up is exciting for my kids (and myself). The rest of the sweets disappeared without any discussion. Last year, my daughter picked a few things from the collection. I can only wish that the situation will remain the same next year.

Monique, the Nourished Psychologist’s lovely friend, told me that she bought back sweets from her children (which were then given to other Halloween guests) so the kids could choose what they wanted to purchase. This is a great idea. The kids can choose what they want to buy, and the candy will be recycled.

Healthy Caramel Popcorn With Pecans And Coconut

I looked into the ingredients in many store-bought candy corn, and I wasn’t surprised to find a concoction that was strange and not very wonderful. It is incredibly Moorish. This led me to create my own healthier version. This is a delicious Halloween treat, and in our house, it’s a wonderful World Cup rugby snack – especially with Australia and New Zealand playing in the final this weekend (we are Kiwis, so what can I say? #obessedwithrugby).

Caramel Corn IngredientsAccording to the Foodfacts Crunch and Munch website, Caramel Corn gets an “F” rating for its healthiness. Crunch and Munch, for example, contains approximately three teaspoons of sugar.

Avoid trans fats in caramel corn. Trans fats are found in caramel corn, such as partially hydrogenated soybean oil. Hydrogen gas is pumped into soybean oil to change the nutrient composition (for the worst) and turn it into trans fat that the body can’t break down. Trans fats can interfere with metabolic processes in the body, increasing bad cholesterol and possibly causing heart disease. The US will eliminate trans fats in the next three years. There is no requirement in Australia for food products to indicate that they contain trans-fats, so many Australian consumers are unaware they’re eating them.

Sodium Benzoate, another controversial ingredient found in caramel corn, is also a source of controversy. Sodium Benzoate can be used to extend the shelf life of caramel corn. In the presence of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), it can produce the chemical benzene, which has been known to damage DNA at a cellular level.

Why Caramel Popcorn is better for you

You won’t find corn syrup, trans-fats, preservatives, or artificial flavors here. Instead, I added some nutritionally dense ingredients to this snack. This caramel corn contains a lot of calcium and vitamins B and E, thanks to the sesame and sunflower seeds, Tahini, and sesame seeds. This high-energy snack is also packed with healthy fatty acids, thanks to the coconut oil and flakes.

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