Treat Yourself On Halloween!

I’m looking forward to a spooky night this Halloween, filled with frills, chills, and thrills. And I can’t wait to see the little kids in my neighborhood dressed up as beautiful princesses and scary zombies. They get so excited—and who can blame them? Not only do they get to wear costumes, they also get to fill their bags with piles of yummy candy!

And don’t worry if you get tempted by the treats you’re handing out, too. Just make sure it’s chocolate you’re munching on. Chocolate! Really! New research shows that chocolate may actually be good for you. It’s loaded with antioxidants that can make us live longer and battle heart disease. And you don’t need a study to tell you this—chocolate contains a chemical that improves your mood!

But don’t let this news give you the license to go crazy at the candy bowl. Researchers figure that you’re better off reaching for solid chocolate candies or those with nuts rather than those with creamy fillings, which contribute calories but very few antioxidants. Also be careful of chocolate in desserts such as cake, cookies, and ice cream. Although you get the health benefits of the chocolate, they come with a lot of calories and other ingredients that could spell trouble for your heart.

Happy Halloween!