6 TIPS FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY HALLOWEEN

6 TIPS FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY HALLOWEEN

Jack-o-lanterns, trick-or-treaters, creative costumes, fall weather. There is a lot to love about the festive holiday, but it’s not exactly weight-loss-friendly. Americans purchase about 600 million pounds of candy on Halloween, according to the National Confectioners Association. But you can have a healthy Halloween and still have fun. Get in the holiday spirit and stick to your weight loss plan by following these six simple tips.

Avoid trigger foods. Sitting at home waiting for trick-or-treaters with a bowl of your favorite candy in your hand is a disaster waiting to happen. If you’re a chocolate lover, hand out hard candy, and if you love hard candy, hand out chocolate. You know yourself best. Don’t put yourself in a situation that could trigger a binge. It could save you thousands of unwanted calories.

Satisfy your sweet tooth the healthy way. Not all Halloween treats will derail your medical weight loss plan. Core and bake an apple for about 40 minutes at 350 degrees, and then drizzle with honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a healthy Halloween treat. There’s nothing as delicious as nature’s natural sweetener and a fall superfood. You won’t even miss the candy!

Pumpkins aren’t just for carving. Pumpkin is also a nutritional powerhouse rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Instead of tossing the pumpkin seeds, throw them in the toaster and sprinkle with your favorite spices. It’s a festive treat the whole family can enjoy!

Keep portion size in mind. If you can’t imagine a Halloween without a taste of your favorite candy, you must monitor your portions. Use your willpower to limit yourself to a few fun-sized treats. It’s OK to indulge as long as you don’t overdo it. When you’re finished with your portion, put the candy out of sight, in a closed cabinet, to reduce the temptation to go back for more.

Have a healthy meal before trick-or-treating begins. If you fill up on greens and lean protein before Halloween festivities begin, you won’t have as much room for candy. Try one of our delicious, healthy recipes to help ward off candy temptations.

Toss the leftovers. Allow yourself and your kids to pick out a few favorite candies to savor the holiday, but once the holiday is over, toss or donate your leftover candy. Keeping the candy in your home is only feeding your bad habits. It’s better off out of your house to help you stay on weight loss track.