Boo! Don’t Let This Halloween Give You a Scare!

Tis’ the season for tricks and treats! Are you feeling uneasy with the haunting holiday of sweets approaching? Between keeping candy by the front door for the tricker-or-treaters and perhaps your own trick-or-treaters bringing home a pillow case full of sweets, this is an important time of the year to practice mindful eating. No need to fret, I’m here to provide some tips and tricks to help you get through Halloween.

Remember that you are no longer on a diet with rules telling you what you can and cannot eat. If you find yourself reaching for the candy bowl, do not let the “diet talk” spook you into thinking you are “bad” or “weak” for wanting to grab a piece of your favorite chocolate. Deprivation is not the answer! You do not want to find yourself sneaking handfuls of miniature candy bars because you feel haunted by guilt for enjoying them. Eat your Halloween sweets thoughtfully, not just “because it’s there.” Be mindful of every bite and savor the taste.

Here’s a suggestion: the day after Halloween, collect all the leftover candy and place in a jar or bowl. Immediately toss the candy that is pure sugar and a dentist’s dream. Each day allow yourself and/or your kids just one or two small pieces of candy after a balanced dinner has been eaten. Avoid feeling bad or guilty about yourself for eating candy by taking charge! This is a great model to set for your children who look up to you and learn from your habits.

You can incorporate other spooky snacks to cut the desire for candy all day. Here are two fun and easy “recipes” to make with the whole family. These are quick last minute treats for Halloween or can be made all season to keep the spirit of Halloween alive!

Banana Ghosts – one banana makes two ghosts

Step 1) Cut a banana half way down its length so you have two pieces, each with on rounded end.

Step 2) Peel the bananas

Step 3) Place two chocolate chips next to each other near the rounded end of each banana as the ghost’s eyes; push the pointed tip of each chocolate chip into the banana to hold in place.

Orange Jack-O-Lanterns – each orange makes one Jack-O-Lantern

Step 1) Take an orange, tangerine, mandarin, or clementine and stand it with the green stem facing up

Step 2) Use a black marker to draw spooky and funny faces on the skin of the fruit in the way you would crave a pumpkin

Enjoy your Halloween!

Your turn to take action: What is your favorite Halloween treat? If you make any of the treats I mentioned above, please let me know how they turn out!

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