Spooky Sweets: Identifying Tricks from Treats

Halloween kicks off our season of holiday sweet treats and indulgences. It’s important to know what sweets are tricks and treats, as well as how to satisfy a craving in a more kidney-conscious way. 

Sweet Treats:
When searching for a sweet treat this holiday season, the candies listed below are safer options for those who have kidney diseases. Remember, everything in moderation!

• Hard Candies: sour balls, Life Savers, lollipops, candy canes, lemon drops, butterscotch, Werther’s Originals, cinnamon balls, Jolly Ranchers, and Starlight mints
  
• Gummy Candies: Gummi bears/worms, sour apples, Jujyfruit, jellybeans, and Dots.
  
• Marshmallow candies: Halloween pumpkins, Rice Krispies treats, and Peeps
  
• Chewy Candies: Candy corn, Tootsie Rolls, chewing gum, Starburst, and Skittles.
  
• Chocolate-covered candies: The Three Musketeers, chocolate coffee fondant, York Peppermint Patty, Junior Mints, Skor Toffee bars
  

Spooky Sweets:
These sweets may give you a spook! The options listed below are not the best choice and should be avoided when possible. For patients with kidney diseases, these candies can pose potential problems as they contain higher levels of phosphorus and potassium due to being made with solid chocolate, nuts, dried fruit, coconut, peanut butter, and caramel. 

• Chocolate-covered: nuts, cookies, raisins, pretzels, caramels
  
• Common Chocolate Bars: Snickers, Baby Ruth, Twix, Butterfinger, Heath Bars, MilkyWay, Almond Joy/Mounds, Kit-Kat, Hershey’s kisses and bars
  
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
  
• Rolo’s Caramels
  
• Cadbury Chocolate
  
• All M&M’s
  
• Peanut brittle and pralines
  

DIY: Healthier options
The National Kidney Foundation has some fantastic seasonal recipes that are kidney-friendly to satisfy cravings and keep you on track. 

• Rice Cereal Treats
  
• Pumpkin Maple Custard
  
• Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
  
• Apple Puffs
  
• Apple Caramel Crisp
  

Moderation is key! The ‘fun size’ portions are approximately 1 ounce which is just right. When you can, opt for sugar-free options or renal-friendly fruits based on recommendations from your nephrologist or dietitian. As always, stay safe and healthy! 

Resources: 
https://www.kidney.org/nutrition/recipes

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