Have a healthy Halloween

Whether you are planning to shred a few pounds or try something new in the kitchen, it’s never too early to prepare for the calorie-packed months to come. With October in full swing, it can be tempting to dig into the sugary snacks of the season. But when you reach for one, what are you really biting off?

It might be a little scary to find out that a single fun-size pack of Starburst fruit chews has more than 170 calories and 24 grams of sugar. A few Hershey's Kisses might not seem bad, but nine pieces of these little chocolate snacks contain more than 230 calories and 21 grams of sugar.  And candy corn, the colorful classic, are made almost entirely of sugar, corn syrup, salt and honey. Besides having no nutritional value, sugary snacks like these will leave you unsatisfied and craving more empty calories.

Here's the good news: You don't have to abandon all of your favorite holidays foods. Instead, try these healthier swaps for your favorite seasonal snacks:

Instead of: Starburst fruit chews
Try: A fun-size bag of Skittles. You'll save half the calories and sugar.

Instead of: Candy corn
Try: Caramel-covered apples. They might not be easy to pass out for trick-or-treat, but at 150 calories, this fall treat is better for your health and a great source of fiber, Vitamin C and antioxidants.

Instead of: Hershey's Kisses
Try: A fun-size Three Musketeers bar. These fluffy, whipped chocolate bars are low in fat and only 70 calories each.

If candy isn't your thing but you're still craving something sweet and seasonal, give this low-fat recipe for whole wheat cranberry orange muffins a try. It's easy to make and a great source of fiber.