Halloween — or All Hallows’ Eve — stems from an ancient pagan festival celebrated by Celtic people more than 2,000 years ago. The Celts believed Samhain was a time when the dead could walk among the living. Trick-or-treating began as a way to get cakes or food in exchange for prayer, song or dance. Today, it’s a way for children to get candy. But how does all that sweet stuff play out when it comes to your health?
- 35 million pounds of candy corn are made for the Halloween season.
- There are 3,500 to 7,000 calories in the average Halloween haul.
- It takes 500 jumping jacks to burn off one fun-sized bag of M&Ms.
- 90 percent of Americans buy candy for Halloween.
- You would have to walk 134 mintues to burn off a tall Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.
- There are 10.5 grams of sugar in one Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, which just so happens to be the most popular Halloween candy.