If you love Halloween but want to avoid all the haunting temptations, Sunnybrook registered dietitian Daphna Steinberg offers some sweet advice.
#1: Go dark. If you’re having a sweet craving, splurge on a small piece of high-quality dark chocolate. Not only will you save on calories, but you’ll also enjoy the benefits of this antioxidant rich treat.
#2: Pop it. Air popped popcorn is low in fat, calories and sodium and a good source of fibre. You’ll also get a lot of bang for your buck, as a small bag of kernels can fill a large bowl.
#3: Avoid your favourites. If you can’t resist sweets, purchase goodies that you can easily pass on, like chips. If you’re not tempted, it’s easy to give away.
#4: Buy late. Resist the urge to dip into your candy stash by purchasing your goodies as close to Halloween as possible. Out of sight helps keep treats out of mind.
#5: Limit leftovers. Buy only as much candy as you think you’ll need for the trick-or-treaters to minimize leftovers. If you notice early that it’s slower than usual, double up on the treats you hand out. It’s win-win!
#6: Don’t go hungry. Have a healthy dinner before the festivities being so you’re not constantly reaching into the candy bowl. Also, keep some snacks on hand that will give you fuel to face all those trick or treaters, like a piece of fruit or a small bag of almonds.
#7: Think outside the candy aisle. There are lots of great thing you can pass out on Halloween that aren’t food items. Consider small toys, stickers, tattoos or glow sticks that children can enjoy all year long. The bonus? No temptation for you!
#8: Go small. If you have an overall healthy lifestyle, a little treat will not break you. Because of their small size and individual wrappers, Halloween candies are actually well proportioned. Just remember to stop at one!
