Halloween Candy Swaps

I've put together a list of candies and treats I'll be swapping out this year for my kids to have on Halloween instead of the high fructose packed alternatives that are everywhere. I do this not only because one of my children can't eat any "regular" candy due to allergies, but also because I'm not ok with the ingredients. Big name companies who make the candies and treats our kids are consuming use ingredients that are TERRIBLE for our bodies such as GMO's, high fructose corn syrup, natural flavors and food coloring. I'm not saying that these organic treats I swap are HEALTHY, but for special occasions, I like my munchkins to be able to join in the fun and enjoy the whole experience you get on Halloween with eating candy.

Most of these treats can be purchased on Vitacost. Sign up through my link 

and get $10 off a $30 purchase.

Below you'll find the original version along with the ingredients & my suggested 

swap with it's ingredients.

*Sunny posted in the comments that there is a candy buy back program where they send leftover halloween candy to our troops! This would be something you could do with the candy you won't be eating :) Check it out HERE

SWAP Kelloggs Rice Krispies Treats For 

Trader Joe's Brown Rice Marshmallow Treats

TOASTED RICE CEREAL (RICE, SUGAR, SALT, MALT FLAVORING, NIACINAMIDE, REDUCED IRON, RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), MARSHMALLOW (CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, GELATIN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR), FRUCTOSE, MARGARINE (VEGETABLE OIL [SOYBEAN AND PALM OIL WITH TBHQ FOR FRESHNESS], WATER, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL BUTTER FLAVOR [CONTAINS MILK], DATEM, ACETYLATED MONOGLYCERIDES, BHT FOR FRESHNESS, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, VITAMIN D), CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, CONTAINS TWO PERCENT OR LESS OF DEXTROSE, GLYCERIN, SALT, NIACINAMIDE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B1), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), SOY LECITHIN. 

 ORGANIC WHOLE GRAIN BROWN RICE, ORGANIC MARSHMALLOW (ORGANIC BROWN RICE SYRUP, ORGANIC CANE SUGAR, ORGANIC GUAR GUM, SEA SALT), ORGANIC PALM FRUIT OIL, VEGETABLE GLYCERIN, ORGANIC RICE BRAN EXTRACT, ORGANIC VANILLA FLAVOR

                                   SWAP Jelly Belly Jelly Beans for

                                           Surf Sweets Jelly Beans

 ORGANIC CANE SUGAR, ORGANIC TAPIOCA SYRUP, ORGANIC GRAPE JUICE CONCENTRATE, PECTIN, CITRIC ACIDM ABSORBIC ACID, COLORS ADDED (ORGANIC BLACK CARROT JUICE CONCENTRATE, ORGANIC TUMERIC, ORGANIC ANNATTO), NATURAL FLAVORS, CONFECTIONER'S GLAZE, CARNAUBA WAX, ORGANIC SUNFLOWER OIL

SWAP Almond Joy Candy Bars for

Nutivia O'Coconut Treats

CORN SYRUP; MILK CHOCOLATE [SUGAR; COCOA BUTTER; CHOCOLATE; MILK; LACTOSE; MILK FAT; NONFAT MILK; LECITHIN (SOY); PGPR (EMULSIFIER)]; COCONUT; SUGAR; ALMONDS (ROASTED IN SUNFLOWER OIL); CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: VEGETABLE OIL (PALM KERNEL AND PALM OIL); COCOA; WHEY (MILK); SALT; HYDROLYZED MILK PROTEIN; LECITHIN (SOY); SODIUM METABISULFITE (TO MAINTAIN FRESHNESS) 

Organic tapioca syrup, fair trade organic desiccated coconut, fair trade organic coconut flour, organic hempseed, organic chia seed, sweet mix (organic inulin, monkfruit), organic sunflower lecithin, organic coconut flavor, himalayan sea salt.

SWAP Trolli Peach O's For

Surf Sweets Peach Rings

CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, GELATIN, SORBITOL, CITRIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, FLAVORS NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL, YELLOW 5, YELLOW 6, RED 40

Organic cane sugar, organic tapioca syrup, organic grape juice concentrate, pectin, citric acid, ascorbic acid, natural flavor, color added (organic black carrot juice concentrate, organic tumeric).

SWAP Reese's Peanut Butter Cups for

Justin's Organic Peanut Butter Cups

MILK CHOCOLATE [SUGAR; COCOA BUTTER; CHOCOLATE; NONFAT MILK; MILK FAT; LACTOSE; LECITHIN (SOY); PGPR (EMULSIFIER)]; PEANUTS; SUGAR; DEXTROSE; SALT; TBHQ AND CITRIC ACID (TO MAINTAIN FRESHNESS)

Organic dark chocolate (organic evaporated cane sugar, organic chocolate liquor, organic cocoa butter, organic soy lecithin, organic vanilla). Organic peanuts, organic evaporated cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic palm fruit oil, organic vanilla flavor, sea salt.

SWAP Dum Dums For

Yum Earth Organic Vitamin C Pops

Sugar, Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Salt, Artificial Flavor, Color Added 

(Includes Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1)

Organic evaporated cane juice, organic brown rice syrup, non-GMO citric acid (from beet sugar - not corn). Natural flavors, organic black carrots, organic black currant, organic apple, organic carrot, organic pumpkin, ascorbic acid.

SWAP Haribo Gold-Bears Gummi Candy for

Surf Sweets Organic Fruity Bears

Corn Syrup, Sugar, Gelatin, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Corn Starch, Artificial and Natural Flavors, Fractionated Coconut Oil, Carnauba Wax, Beeswax Coating, Artificial Colors Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1

Organic cane sugar, organic tapioca syrup, organic grape juice concentrate, pectin, citric acid, ascorbic acid, colors added (organic black carrot juice concentrate, organic tumeric, 

organic annatto), natural flavors.

SWAP Quaker Chewy Fright Night Granola Bars For

Raw Revolution Live Organic Food Bars 

Granola (Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Brown Sugar, Crisp Rice [Rice Flour, Sugar, Salt, Malted Barley Extract], Whole Grain Rolled Wheat, Soybean Oil, Dried Coconut, Whole Wheat Flour, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soy Lecithin, Caramel Color, Nonfat Dry Milk), Corn Syrup, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Semisweet Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla Extract), Sugar, Invert Sugar, Corn Syrup Solids, Glycerin, Soybean Oil, Corn Starch, Sorbitol, Calcium Carbonate, Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel And Palm Oil), Salt, Cocoa Process With Alkali, Water, Soy Lecithin, Molasses, Malted Barley Flour, Dextrin, Confectioner's Glaze, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Yellow 6 Lake, Carnauba Wax, BHT (Preservative), Natural Mixed Tocopherols, Citric Acid.

Organic cashews, organic dates. organic sunflower seed kernels, organic agave nectar, organic almonds, organic spirulina powder, organic sprouted flax seed.

Thrive Market Review

I keep getting asked if I use Thrive. I did try a free 30 day trial with them, and during that time I did a lot of research. The membership costs $59.95 for one year. I wanted to weigh in on all the pros and cons and find out if this is really a good deal or not. 

My conclusion is that I really like the setup, the style and esthetics of Thrive, but I priced items against what I buy from Vitacost and......(wait for it)....... it's NOT a better deal. Especially once you throw in the membership fee. 

I've been using Vitacost for years and years and have never been disappointed. They have a ridiculous amount of products and pantry items I buy, and lots of new options to try as well. Vitacost is completely free to use, you get free shipping on orders of $49 or more (same as Thrive), they are always having awesome sales AND they send me coupon codes for an extra 12% off or $10 off $50 very frequently resulting in more savings. The only coupon codes I found for Thrive are for first time orders only. During my free membership trial with their extra percent off code I saved a bundle, but in the long run, I'm saving a lot more sticking with Vitacost.

I comparison shopped and found out on most of the same items between the two stores Vitacost was priced very similarly to Thrive. Not every single item is cheaper at Vitacost, but I also don't have to pay a membership fee AND by the time I use my coupon code I'm saving even more. 

Vitacost will also have line drive sales where an entire line of a specific brand will go on sale. Or a gluten free sale, organic sale, BOGO etc. So there's always better times to shop that can save even more. Vitacost sells hundreds of organic items and I love stocking up my pantry and buying snacks through them as well as non toxic cleaning items. They ship super fast and have fabulous customer service. 

I had an issue with one of my products from Thrive having a hole in it, and maybe it was a random fluke, but I had to email on two separate occasions before I got a response back.

Between the two sites Thrive definitely looks prettier. It has a more trendy feel overall and the website is user friendly and hip. They've definitely done a great job in that department. I think they could do what they're doing without the membership fee. They say that helps keep all their costs lower, but Vitacost is doing it with no membership, so I think it can be done.

If you want to check out Vitacost and you go through my link HERE you will get $10 off a $30 order!

(This post contains personal links. I was not compensated in any way for my opinion.)