11 Healthy-ish Candy Options for Every Craving

By Carrie Madormo, RN

Fact-checked by Amanda Capritto

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated on Nov. 07, 2025

From chewy and fruity to smooth and chocolaty, it's easy to enjoy all kinds of "healthy candy" in moderation.

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What to Look For When Shopping for Healthy Candy

Manuka Honey Pops

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Unreal Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars

With fair trade ingredients and only 70 calories per serving, you won’t have to hesitate when reaching for this chocolate coconut bar. And if you have a sweet tooth, keep these other healthy sweet snacks in mind when the craving strikes.

On Sale

SmartSweets Sweet Fish

If you are craving those sweet, chewy red fish, reach for a bag of SmartSweets sweet fish. With only 100 calories and 3 grams of fat in the entire bag, you can snack without worrying about blowing your healthy eating plan for the week.

On Sale

Justin's Peanut Butter Cups

Go for these organic peanut butter cups so that you can enjoy the irresistible chocolate and peanut butter combo without the trans fat and fake ingredients.

On Sale

YumEarth Sour Giggles

They’re chewy, fruity, sour and completely irresistible. YumEarth Sour Giggles let you taste the rainbow for only 60 calories in each bag. Set out a basket of these snack packs for your next family movie night or hide them in the backyard for a sour take on Easter candy.

DOVE CANDY BAR

These sweet little chocolate bars are smooth and rich with only 100 calories per bar. They’re tasty on their own or on top of a gooey s’more. By the way, these fun twists on the classic s’mores recipe will leave you asking for s’more.

Red Vines Made Simple

It’s not movie night until you pull out the Red Vines. Go for Red Vines Made Simple, made with real sugar and natural berry flavor for a better movie munch. They’re non-GMO and pack some seriously bright berry flavor.

On Sale

Black Forest Gummy Bears

Made with real fruit juice and only organic ingredients, Black Forest gummy bears are about to become your go-to snack when you’re craving something sweet. Each pack has just 70 calories, so toss them in your bag or desk drawer for a colorful treat any time.

Dr. John's Healthy Sweets Hard Candy

If you prefer hard candy over chewy, grab a bag of Dr. John’s hard candy. These sugar-free candies are tooth-friendly and a great choice for those with diabetes (as are these chocolate recipes you won’t believe are diabetic-friendly). These candies are also allergy-friendly, so everyone can enjoy them.

Haribo Starmix

When you can’t decide which gummy candy to snack on, try a little bit of everything with Haribo Starmix. Each bag contains gummy bears, cherries, snakes, rings and soda bottles—and only 100 calories per serving. Which shape will be your favorite?

On Sale

SmartSweets Sour Melon Bites

There’s something about these SmartSweets sour melon bites that just scream summer. The bright colors and tart bite will take you back to childhood days spent playing in the backyard, much like these nostalgic summer recipes. Enjoy the entire bag—it has only 100 calories and 3 grams of sugar.

On Sale

Manuka Honey Pops

This better-for-you treat is made with Manuka honey, a sweet superfood. The Wedderspoons pops also have vitamin C and can help soothe scratchy throats.

What to Look For When Shopping for Healthy Candy

If you’ve got a sweet tooth but are trying to be conscious of your health, finding sweet treats that fit your lifestyle might feel incredibly frustrating. It’s tough, but not impossible! Certified personal trainer and sports nutrition coach Amanda Capritto explains, “You don’t necessarily need to cut sugar from your diet entirely to reach your health or fitness goals. All foods can have a place, including candy! Just be mindful of portions and, if lowering your sugar intake is a goal of yours, consider choosing candies sweetened artificially or with alternative sweeteners.”

Here are some things to keep an eye out for as you read nutrition labels:

Sugar per serving: Ideally, look for candies that have fewer than 10 grams of sugar per serving. This allows you to responsibly indulge and leave room in your diet to get sugar from other important sources, like fruits.

Serving size: Perhaps even more important than knowing the amount of sugar per serving is knowing (and sticking to) the serving size. A certain candy may have, say, 10 grams of sugar per serving. But if you inadvertently eat three servings, that’s more than the recommended maximum for women (25 grams) and near the recommended maximum for men (36 grams)—for an entire day!

Sweetener type: You may consider an artificial sweetener, like sucralose (Splenda) or aspartame (Equal), to keep calorie content low. Other alternatives to sugar include stevia extract, monk fruit extract, and sugar alcohols like erythritol. Each has its own pros and cons; it’s important to understand the health implications before making your choice.

FAQ

Is sugar-free candy healthier?

That depends on your definition of healthy. For those prioritizing reduced calorie intake, sugar-free candy can be very helpful in reaching health-related goals like improved body composition or lowering blood sugar levels. On the other hand, some people prefer to eat sugar instead of artificial alternatives because it is considered more natural.

What are the side effects of sugar-free candy?

Depending on the type of sweetener used, sugar-free candy can cause digestive upset. Symptoms can include gas, bloating, and diarrhea if excess quantities are consumed.

Is sugar-free candy OK for weight loss?

Zero-sugar candy is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth during periods of weight loss. It can help minimize cravings without a ton of calories from added sugar. Still, candy has calories, even if it’s sugar-free, so remain mindful of your portions if weight loss is your goal.

Why You Should Trust Us

At Taste of Home, we actually try the products we recommend. We’re foodies at heart, and that extends to our work. We never recommend products we don’t think are worth your hard-earned dollar. We also spoke with Amanda Capritto, certified personal trainer and sports nutrition coach, about how to choose sweets that fit your lifestyle goals.