Halloween is upon us! While it’s fine to enjoy a treat, Americans gain more weight over the holidays than any other time of the year, so decide now that you will not let things get out of control this holiday season. Strengthen your resolve to keep your sugar intake low this holiday season by starting now and being mindful when indulging in a treat. Pick your favorite one and put it away for a time when you can really enjoy it.

Tips to Avoid Halloween Candy Temptations

There are constant temptations when you are literally surrounded by candy! Consider these tips so that you can enjoy the magic and mystery of Halloween without it becoming a scary nightmare.

  • Have a healthy lunch and dinner. Even though many people have not yet returned to the office where there are typically piles of candy, it’s still piled high at supermarkets and friends’ houses. It makes it especially hard to resist if you’re hungry. Be sure to eat a healthy, satisfying high-protein lunch and dinner to fill you up so you’re not mindlessly grabbing whatever you can get your hands on. Consider batch cooking for the week or cooking extra the night before so you can just heat something up. When you’re not hungry, eating sweets becomes less about willpower and more active choice.
  • Add some “sweet” herbal teas to your diet leading up to Halloween. Teas that have no caffeine or sugar, yet satisfy your tastebuds help curb sugar cravings. Consider trying cinnamon, Rooibos (red), licorice root, or chamomile tea.
  • Buy candy that you don’t like. If you like chocolate, get starbursts. If you like starbursts, get tootsie rolls (you get the idea). Or skip the candy altogether and get non-food treats like glow sticks, temporary tattoos, hair accessories, or stickers.
  • Get only what you need. The pandemic may limit the number of children out for Halloween, so do you really need 15 lbs of candy bars? Consider how many people you are likely to have visited your neighborhood and buy accordingly. Also, buy it on or as close to Halloween as possible — you can’t eat it if you don’t have it in the house!
  • Step away from the candy bowl! Keep the bowl out of reach, even on Halloween night, even if you have to get up every time someone comes by. Out of sight, out of mind.
  • Give it all away! If the number of trick-or-treaters that come to your house starts to wind down and you have a lot of candy left, start doubling the amount of candy you are giving out. Get rid of it! If there are leftovers, bring them to the office or share them with your friends. If you’re still living virtually, make some goody bags and leave them out for delivery drivers.

 Avoid Weight Gain During the Holidays By Planning Ahead

Halloween is the unofficial beginning of the holiday season where food is often the focus. The good news is there is time to prepare and plan ahead. Little changes can make a big impact, like drinking more water every day or adding a walk or swim to your schedule several days a week. Medical weight loss doctors often recommend a very brisk walk (during which you are not jogging but you cannot talk or read – walking the dog doesn’t count!).  Work up to walking 2 miles in 20 minutes. If you have physical problems walking, running in water at your local pool is a great alternative exercise for weight loss or maintenance. There’s no time like the present to incorporate a few good habits!

Choose Your Support Team for Weight Loss or Maintenance

One of the best ways to avoid weight gain altogether during the holidays is to have a support team that understands you care about your health and your waistline. Consider joining a medical weight loss clinic that has the science, support, and tools to help you cut hunger and resist foods that damage your health and waistline. Whether or not you want to lose weight, professional coaching can help you maintain your weight during the “scariest” time of year.