Halloween can be a fun time even if being conscientious about your diet, suggesting you do not have to deprive yourself of an occasional piece of candy.
So have your candy and health, too, with bistroMD's healthy Halloween tips for managing those candy temptations!
8 Healthy Halloween Diet Tips
While Halloween night treats may be tempting, keep track of health goals using these tips.
1. Choose Treats Wisely
First off, it is absolutely okay to treat yourself to some a little Halloween candy! But stressing a little, as too much here and there with leftover candy can start sabotaging a balanced diet.
Choose wisely on which pieces of candy you want to enjoy, such as that Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkin you can only get during Halloween. Also, select individually-wrapped and fun-sized candies to keep portions in check.
But if you have difficulty stopping once started, a safer route to go would be choosing hard candy like lollipops that last longer to satisfy a sweet tooth.
2. Purchase Candy Later in the Month
Following Labor Day, you may be noticing ghosts, witches, and well, that Halloween candy aisle already stocked. This may make it enticing to stock up on Halloween snacks and treats well before a Halloween party.
But rather than loading up the carts during a bout of excitement, wait to purchase candy later in the month and purchase just a few days in advance. This way, the candy will not be hanging around the house for too long and inviting you to eat it.
3. Buy Non-Tempting Candy
Purchasing non-tempting candy lessens the risk of sneaking candy each day and lets the trick-or-treaters take care of its disposal.
For example, if you absolutely love dark chocolate, maybe select a sour alternative instead. Love fruity chewy or hard candies? Buying some chocolate may be the best route to take.
4. Consider a Non-Candy Alternative
Okay, while you may not want to be known as "that neighbor," consider passing out a non-candy alternative. Healthy snack options may include:
• Snack-sized packages of pretzels or trail mix
• Decorated clementines sporting jack o' lantern face, which have been prepared using permanent ink
• Mini microwavable popcorn bags
Even if the kids reject them, they may have a parent who will appreciate snacking on a health-conscious Halloween treat!
But beyond the candy bowl, there are other fun and non-caloric ideas one can pass out. Some ideas to get you started include:
• Halloween bubbles
• Pencils and stickers
• Glowsticks
• Playdough
• Silly straws
5. Turn Your Cheek On End-of-Season Specials
Following Halloween, stores discount the candy to clear room for the upcoming holiday. And while stocking up on your favorite chocolate may be enticing, turn your cheek on those end-of-season specials.
And just think, with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, there are bound to be in-season flavors to relish on!
6. Double Up As Needed
Overestimated a headcount or the trick-or-treaters fell this year? Do not hold onto the bags of candy!
Start passing out two (or three) pieces of candy at a time to deplete these stores. This helps limit the number of treats around the house for you to be tempted with.
7. Rid Any Leftover Candy
Still have candy leftover after doubling (tripling) up? Use these tips to get rid of it:
• Take to work for the lobby jar.
• Send it with your child to school. They can then give to their teacher for them to use as an occasional reward for a job well done on homework assignments.
• Donate it, including organizations that send packages to troops across seas.
8. Treat Your Body to Exercise
Treats are not always designated to candy... And with your body primed and equipped to be active, let it be just that!
To continue enjoying the Halloween fun, tackle aerobic exercise to boost mood and energy levels. Then, join your kids for a night of walking around the neighborhood as they trick-or-treat.
Treating your body to physical activity and nourishing food can likewise kick those candy cravings!
