As Halloween draws closer, we’ll be going over some tips on how you can avoid the “Halloween Trap” of candy. Among these tips are ones that you can try out yourself or share with the little ones that go trick-or-treating.
Take a smaller bag:
If you are accompanying your children or grandchildren, one thing you can do is use a smaller bag. It can help place a limit on the amount of candy that you gather. The size of the container that’s used can have a direct effect on what you collect. For example, when you go shopping, the size of the carrier you have may influence how much you buy. If you just walk in the store barehanded or with a shopping bag, you’re more likely to only pick up the necessities or stick to the shopping list (if you have one). If you have a cart, however, there’s a tendency to pick up additional items, even if you don’t need it. As humans, we sometimes have this inclination to fill empty spaces, and this is what can turn that ‘quick shopping trip’ into a much longer outing. As such, a smaller bag that gives you less space to work with could prove beneficial in lowering the amount of candy you get to eat.
Set a limit for either the number of houses you go to, or the amount of time you go trick-or-treating:
Doing this can help you pace yourself so you don’t feel like you’re in a rush to visit every house you see. It can also allow you to take the time you need to enjoy yourself, socialize with friends and/or family, or simply admire the decorations around you. In addition, this can be a great way for both you and the little ones to work on practicing self-discipline.
Pace yourself when eating:
Halloween is one of the greatest times when people tend to overdo eating candy and then give up on their weight loss. To keep your fall weight loss momentum going, pace yourself when eating: When you have a lot of candy and aren’t paying attention to what you’re eating, it’s easy to go overboard, especially if you’re eating the miniature version of the candy or chocolate. Therefore, one thing you can do is to pull out several pieces (maybe two to three) that will you and/or the kids will eat for the day. The kids may think it sounds crazy to only eat a few pieces out of what they obtained, but it’s important that they don’t eat everything all at once. Sometimes, all it takes is you verbally telling yourself what you’re going to eat, then removing the rest of the candy from your sight. After all, there’s the saying, “out of sight, out of mind.” If you or the little ones still feel like you need a sweet fix, try getting creative and making Halloween-themed snacks that are based off of vegetables or fruits! This can be a fun family activity. You can also look at our Healthy Alternatives to Halloween Candy blog for additional options.
Overall healthcare tips:
Dress warmly before going outside (whether or not you’re in a costume). This is especially so because the weather tends to get cooler later in the day.
Wear a face mask if you can. This can be a beneficial way to protect yourself and others as they can prevent your respiratory droplets from reaching others.
Wipe down the packaging of any candy you get with a disinfectant wipe. This is more of a preventative measure to further ensure that you and your family stay safe.
If you come across a house that has a self-serve candy bowl, try not to dig through the bowl. On the other hand, if you want to provide a self-serve option for trick-or-treaters, try making it so that they don’t have to dig or sift through the candy.
Wash your hands after returning home before consuming anything.
Announcement
Transform your negative self-talk into weight loss motivation. Join us for our free interactive workshop, Changing Your Weight Loss Mindset next Thurs. Oct. 28th at 7 pm.
Register Today at: https://changingmindset.eventbrite.com
Featured Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
- Click here to watch the Latest Sweet Life Wellness Podcast Episode on How to Enjoy Mindful Eating.
- Click here to listen for FREE on Apple Podcasts.
- Want to listen for FREE on Spotify? Click here.
Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN
Transformational Speaker, Breakthrough Coach, Nutritionist-Dietitian
Blessing Bolomope, Student Intern
B.S. Nutrition & Food Science – Dietetics
University of Maryland, College Park | 2020