Halloween is the kick off to the holiday season. It’s a day all about candy, and the start of my challenging time of year. Since I am a fan of all things sugar, I’ve really had to work hard to curb the amount of candy I eat in October and November. The following healthy Halloween tips I utilize to help curb how much candy I eat.
10 Healthy Halloween Tips
Buy Late – Buy candy on Halloween, that way it isn’t in your house beforehand. If it’s not there, you can’t reach for it. Wait until Halloween or the day before and pick up the candy to hand out. Don’t open the bag until right before trick or treating begins.
Buy candy that you don’t like – Unfortunately, I love all candy. But, if it’s not chocolate, it’s much easier for me to say no. For my husband, it’s even
easier to say no to non chocolate candy. So, to help not snack on the Halloween candy before Halloween, buy only the candy you won’t eat. Kids still love Sour Patch Kids, Skittles, Starburst, etc. I can have those in house and not open them.
Get rid of the candy – After Halloween we let our kids pick out a quart size baggy of their favorite candy and then my husband always takes the rest to work and gave out to his college students. If it’s not in the house, it can’t be eaten. Many dentist offices offer deals to take candy for money. Any way you can, even throwing it away, get the candy out of your house as soon as possible.
Treats other than Candy – Better yet, buy other treats instead. It’s much easier to find big packs of Play-doh, pencils, pens, small decks of cards, bouncy balls, etc. to give out rather than candy. Warehouse stores sometimes carry a big bag of non candy items, but party stores, the dollar store or Amazon can be a great place to pick up non candy items.
Go Small – If you are going to indulge, allow yourself a couple of the mini candy pieces rather than the fun size. One bite might be all you need to satiate your sweet tooth.
Be Picky – At social or work parties, be choosy. Pick one goodie that grabs your attention and make sure everything else on your plate is healthy. Make sure to enjoy that one goodie without guilt.
Eat a Healthy Meal – Did you know that Halloween is one of the top 5 most popular nights for pizza sales? Since kids and adults will be snacking on Halloween candy during and after trick or treating, try to resist the urge to pick up a pizza or other higher fat meal for dinner. Consider making a filling, nutritious dinner in the slow cooker or pressure cooker to help keep you fuller longer. Snacking on some candy after a nutritious meal is much better than 
snacking on candy after a high fat meal. It’s all about moderation, especially during the holidays.
Fresh Breath – Keep mints or gum with you. Once you’ve had your allotment of sweets, chew gum or start eating mints. If you are at home, go brush your teeth. Sometimes taking that extra step will help curb cravings, and for those of us who are insanely lazy, once teeth are brushed, I’m sure in the heck not doing it again.
Be Kind – Forgive yourself if you over indulge. The next day is a new day and it’s not an all or nothing lifestyle when it comes to food. Try to find a few habits to stick with during Halloween. Make a plan and stick with it and if things get derailed, dust off and start fresh the next day!
Leave a Reply