Halloween warning: “Healthy” sweets with less sugar contain additives that “cause gas, bloating and stomach pain after eating a single serving.”

As Halloween approaches, candy aisles are flooded with treats full of calories, sugar and additives.

Several brands promoted “healthier” options, marketing themselves as a more positive alternative using health-related terms such as “no added sugar”, “dentist approved” and “free from scary ingredients”.

However, a survey by DailyMail.com found five “healthy” candy brands that don’t necessarily represent a better alternative.

Not only are they twice as expensive as regular candies (up to $10 for a small bag), some contain additives linked to digestive problems, while others contain more sugar than a Krispy Kreme doughnut.

Camilla Gray, a nutritional therapist in the UK, told DailyMail.com: “Candy is not a healthy food, so it should not be branded as such.” Clever marketing phrases like ‘organic’, ‘vegan’, ‘low sugar’, ‘sugar free’ or ‘gluten free’ make parents think it’s better or more nutritious, but it’s simply not the case.”

Experts told DailyMail.com that “traditional sweets have very little or no nutritional value”

Other experts have accused the food companies of “health abuse”.

“It deceives the consumer,” says Sapna Bhalsod, a registered dietitian at nutrition company WellTheory. “It makes them think, Oh, this is healthy, maybe there are no consequences to eating this candy.”

Here are five “healthy” candies that are anything but…

VEGAN “M&M’S” WITH SO MUCH SUGAR AS A INSANE

No whey! Choco No No’s Minis contain 14 grams of sugar

Choco No No’s “milk chocolate candies” are a “dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, soy-free and vegan” alternative to M&M’s that cost $2.95 a pack (twice the price of the original).

The company’s website assures customers that they can “eat with pleasure, knowing that their treat is vegan and all-natural.”

Although these chocolates may not contain artificial flavors, they do contain a fair amount of them 14 grams of sugar – three and a half teaspoons and almost 50 percent more than a Krispy Kreme. Donut or two chips Ahoy! Cookies.

The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to about six to nine teaspoons per day to reduce the risk of tooth decay and weight-related problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

Plus, a 1.6-ounce package contains only 10 fewer calories than the same package of M&Ms—and excess calories lead to weight gain.

THE SUGAR TRADE WITH GREEN ALGAE

All sweets in this variety pack contain between two and four teaspoons of sugar

Yum Earth’s Halloween Variety Pack is $23.99 and includes a selection of the brand’s best sellers: Organic Gummy Fruits, Organic Pops and Organic Giggles – bite-sized chews.

Yum Earth claims on the packaging that its products are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free and, oddly enough, fish-free.

Plus, they’re all organic, vegan, non-GMO and contain no artificial colors.

However, all the candies in the variety pack contain between eight and ten grams of added sugar. That’s up to four teaspoons, about a third of the American Heart Association’s recommended daily limit of six teaspoons for women and nine teaspoons for men.

They also contain the trendy dietary supplement spirulina, made from blue-green algae. If it grows in water contaminated with heavy metals or bacteria, it may be contaminated with toxins.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), blue-green algae can interact with diabetes and immunosuppressive medications, making them less effective.

“Healthier” peanut butter cups with more calories than a cookie

Unreal Peanut Butter Cups contain just 20 more calories than a Reese’s version.

Unreal claims its dark chocolate peanut butter cups contain 36 percent less sugar than competitors like Reese’s.

In terms of sugar content, they are better, with four times less than Reese’s. However, due to the dark chocolate, palm oil and peanuts in these sweets, they still contain 80 calories each, which is only 20 less than a Reese’s and just a little less than two Chips Ahoy! Cookies.

The candy, which costs $6.79 for a 4-ounce bag, also contains inulin, a prebiotic that supports the growth of healthy gut bacteria. However, it is also linked to digestive problems.

‘KETO WITH 20 GRAMS OF CARBS

Although the candy claims to be keto-friendly, meaning it contains little to no carbs, it still contains 20 grams of carbs

Toffee is known to get stuck in teeth, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and jaw pain.

But Zolli Zaffi’s Keto Taffy, which costs about $9.99 for a 3-ounce bag, is “approved by parents, dentists and teachers” and “doesn’t stick to teeth,” the website says.

There is a label on the front of the packaging that says: “The after-meal treat for a healthy smile!” However, it is not clear what exactly the sweets are that prevent this from happening.

This toffee has replaced the sugar per five candies with 20 grams of the artificial sweeteners erythritol and xylitol. Some research suggests that erythritol may be linked to an increased risk of weight gain, and many sweeteners are known to alter the healthy bacteria in our gut, leading to digestive symptoms such as constipation, bloating and diarrhea.

“These sugar alternatives can have devastating effects on our digestive system and gut,” Ms Bhalsod said.

Although the candy claims to be keto-friendly — meaning it contains little or no carbs — it still contains 20 grams of carbs per five candies. The Mayo Clinic recommends sticking to a daily limit of 20 to 57 grams on low-carb diets, which leaves little wiggle room for the carbohydrates consumed the rest of the day.

“Maybe this candy can be considered keto-friendly if it’s the only carbohydrate you eat that day,” Ms Bhalsod said. “That’s not usually the case.”

Hard candy that can cause flatulence

Although allulose is low in calories, it has been linked to gas, bloating and diarrhea

“Healthy” candy brand SmartSweets says in promotional videos that it is “getting away from sugar” and also avoids artificial sweeteners in its products.

The different candies are packed in colorful bags and contain gummy bears in the shape of watermelons, worms and bears. The brand also sells hard candies, lollipops and chewy caramels.

Despite the claims, some varieties still contain some sugar — for example, the pretzels, whose 1.6-ounce bag costs $3.99, contain three grams — just under a teaspoon.

Plus, 1 ounce of SmartSweets caramel still contains 140 calories — just 10 less than a Twinkie.

The candy also contains the natural sweetener allulose, which is found in raisins, figs, jackfruit, maple syrup and molasses.

Allulose is low in calories, but when consumed in large amounts, it has been linked to gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, bloating and diarrhea.