Healthier Stocking Stuffers

I’ve tried to make it very clear on my blog that while I advocate for a healthy lifestyle, I don’t believe in associating “cheating”, “guilt”, etc. with food. I think do your best and if you feel like eating a churro at Disneyland, eat it and enjoy it and don’t worry. I’m a big believer in 80/20 and in teaching our children that we just like to put really high quality ingredients into our bodies, teach why other ingredients can hinder health, and help them develop a taste for the healthy stuff. But I think it’s crucial not to ever use damaging language around food or talk abt calories or that too much sugar leads to obesity. Talking abt how too much can lead to obesity can send the message to your kids that their worth depends on their size and the worst thing they could be is fat. It also leads them to assume all obese people must eat poorly. Let’s do better!

That being said, when there are great or better options out there, I like to utilize them! Our stockings will have a couple things we typically don’t eat and the rest will be healthier sweets. One thing we’re big sticklers one is artificial colors. They are so horrendous for you and can have negative affects on brain development and behavior, so we do avoid those at all costs.

Lastly, please don’t be so anxious to avoid sugar that you opt for sugar free sweets sweetened with sugar free sweeteners. I have a post coming on this but Splenda, stevia, monk fruit, etc. are not good for you and in my opinion are worse than just normal sugar. Below are some of our favorite options! Most are chocolate, but there are some other options! Most are dairy free and all are gluten free! Most of them can be found at most stores (some are only at health food stores), Amazon, each company’s website, and Thrive market (and prob many other places!) almost all of these are cheapest at Thrive or your local grocery store!

Refined sugar free (have tried):

• Hu Chocolate
  • This is my favorite chocolate. It’s Vegan, organic, lower sugar,refined sugar free, etc etc!
  • Made with a base of cacao and coconut sugar and simple ingredients you can feel great abt!
  • I love every flavor I’ve tried, but salty dark chocolate and vanilla quinoa qrispy are unbelievable! I’m dying to try the crispy mint!
  • Often on sale at Thrive

Sweetened with normal sugar (have tried):

• Theo Chocolate
  • We just tried their peppermint chocolate cups and OH MY GOODNESS! They are amazing! They have other fun holiday flavors like cranberry orange and gingerbread spice.
  • They’re organic, some are dairy free, and most have great ingredients. I wish they were refined sugar free, but since it’s organic, you know the sugar isn’t GMO, so I feel fine with it in moderation.
  • The only ingredient that I’ve seen from what I’ve looked at (I haven’t gone through everything they offer), that I would avoid is corn syrup. It’s weird they include this, but it’s only in a few things, so just avoid those. The ones I’ve seen that contain it are the marshmallows and the peppermint crunch (not cups) and nutcracker brittle.
• Enjoy Life Chocolate
  • Dairy free and simple ingredients
  • Non GMO, but not organic
• Alter Eco Chocolate
  • Organic
  • Burnt caramel is my favorite flavor! Glucose syrup and natural flavors I’m not a fan of, but fine for an occasional treat
  • They also have awesome truffles similar to Lindt, but with better ingredients!
  • They also have cluster treats
• Trader Joe’s Chocolate Oranges
  • The only ingredient I don’t love is natural flavors, but if you have someone who adores chocolate oranges, this is a far better alternative
  • Non GMO
• Homemade treats
  • Always a great option! Anything from granola to popcorn, to cookies and sweets! Just stick it in a reusable bag like Stasher bags to keep it low waste!
• Justin’s Nut Butter Cups
  • Soy lecithin and sunflower lecithin are the ingredients I’m not a fan of here, but again, fine occasionally in my opinion!
  • They also have peanut butter, almond, or cashew butter cups or white chocolate! The almond butter ones are my favorite!
  • Organic
• Organic Chocolate Truffles
  • These you can only get at Thrive, great ingredients, taste amazing, and are low sugar!
  • Soy lecithin is the only not great ingredient
• Jojo’s Chocolate
  • We get these at Costco!
  • Could do without sunflower lecithin
  • Non GMO
• Dark Chocolate Nuggets with Coconut and Super Seeds
  • Organic, amazing, and comes in lots of flavors!
• Trader Joe’s Chocolate Drops
  • These are loaded with sugar and far from perfect, but for the one who just loves M&M’s, this is a great alternative
  • Non GMO
• Trader Joe’s Chocolate Covered Wafer Cookie
  • Again, lots of sugar, far from perfect, but for the Kit Kat lover, it’s a great alternative. Wheat in the US is genetically modified, but everything at TJ’s with Trader Joe’s label, is free from GMO’s, so it’s still a better alternative. It likely still has glyphosate since it’s not organic, but every now and then in place of a Kit Kat, it’s a better option
• TJ’s Sunflower Butter Cups
  • Allergy friendly, delicious, simple ingredients
  • Non GMO

Refined Sugar Free (haven’t tried):

• Evolved Chocolate
  • Organic, vegan, refined sugar free
• Thrive Chocolate
  • Organic, vegan, refined sugar free
  • Only available at Thrive market
• Unreal candy
  • Some of these are refined sugar free, some are not, so check ingredients
  • Even the ones with refined sugar have pretty great ingredients!
  • They have healthier M&M’s, mounds, pb cups, etc!
  • Non GMO
• Heavenly Organics
  • Sweetened with honey, these look amazing! I’m dying to try the mint ones!
  • Organic, dairy free
• Taza Chocolate
  • They have lots of great kinds of chocolate
  • Organic, vegan, and lots of them are refined sugar free!
• Endorfin Chocolate
  • Organic, dairy free, refined sugar free, compostable packaging
• Lulus Chocolate
  • Organic, vegan, refined sugar free, compostable packaging
• Goodio Chocolate
  • Organic, vegan, biodegradable packaging, and refined sugar free
• Pure 7 Chocolate
  • Dairy free, refined sugar free, organic!

Sweetened with normal sugar (haven’t tried):

• TCHO Chocolate
  • Mostly great ingredients, but does have soy lecithin
  • Really creative, awesome flavors!
• Yum Earth candy
  • Organic
  • Not perfect ingredients, but pretty good!
  • Has candy canes!
• Wholesome Candy
  • Organic
  • Some of them don’t have great ingredients, but it’s a great option for those not ready to give up traditional candy- it’s an organic, naturally colored option!
  • Has candy canes!
• Free 2B
  • Non GMO, good ingredients
  • Pb cups, chocolate bark, etc!
  • They have egg free, peanut free, dairy free, etc. options
  • Some of them don’t use great oils, but I’d definitely avoid the ones that use canola oil
• Simple mills
  • Cookies, crackers (those I’ve tried), and all sorts of great stuff!

Now excuse me as I go on a giant chocolate shopping spree (jk, but wish that was fiscally responsible 😂) Happy Holidays!