Happy Halloween week! Halloween brings treats, candy, scarecrows, pumpkins, costumes and so much more. Do you worry about how to keep healthy habits throughout Halloween festivities? Don’t worry- you do not need to skip out on your favorite childhood treat, candy, or any of the fun memories that come with Halloween! However, finding balance between these fun treats and nourishing foods is the key. Follow along for a couple tips and tricks on making this Halloween fun AND healthy.
3 Simple Tips for a Healthy Halloween
1. Avoid “saving up” calories all day.
We all know Halloween typically involves nighttime treats and candy (duh- trick or treating). While these treats can contain high amounts of fat, sugar, and calories, “saving up” for them can often end in eating more than intended. When we tell ourselves that we need to “save up” calories for certain food items or occasions, it can cause hyper fixation on that treat / food. It also leaves us over hungry and causes the likelihood of overindulging to be very high. Eating throughout the day will nourish the body while preventing overeating. If you are tracking your food, plan ahead. Plan to enjoy a few pieces of your favorite candy, enjoy them, and move on!
2. Eat balanced meals to avoid blood sugar spikes.
Building balanced meals prior to enjoying your favorite treats will prevent excessive blood sugar spikes while also leaving you less likely to overeat on the candy, chocolate, or treats. Eating a balance of nutrients prior to treats and candy will help slow down digestion and release of the sugars into the blood, helping to stabilize blood sugar. Implementing foods such as a handful of nuts, vegetables, berries or protein foods such as cheese, meat, or Greek yogurt prior to the candy will help your body stabilize blood sugar spikes, while also consuming more nutrients along with the fun treat! Packing snacks like trail mix or a protein shake to sip on while trick or treating with your kids or loved ones can also be extremely helpful for having a healthy Halloween.
3. Make healthier Halloween treats.
If you want to stay away from chocolate and candy but don’t want to miss out on experiences, there are healthier alternatives to treats that can make skipping out on the chocolate not seem like skipping out on any of the fun. Making homemade trail mix with dried fruit and chocolate, or popcorn with chocolate chips, yogurt covered fruit or nuts, or mini granola bites can pack a sweet punch while also providing you with nutrients to have the best of both worlds!
Get Ready to Enjoy a Healthy Halloween!
Remember that Halloween is one night of the year. Whether you want to enjoy those beloved childhood nostalgic candies or trade them in for a more nutritious treat, finding balance and what works for you is key. Don’t feel the need to skip meals and save up calories all day. If you are indulging in treats, pairing foods such as vegetables or protein foods is an easy way to minimize blood sugar spikes while also enjoying yourself. If you want to trade in the candy and chocolate and make healthier treats there are options and alternatives for you, too. There are still fun and nutritious ways to have a healthy Halloween, and you don’t have to choose one! A healthy life is a balanced life- full of nutritious foods but also treats and memories. If you have specific questions regarding navigating the holidays for YOU, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Registered Dietitians!
References:
- About Us. Mass General Brigham. Accessed September 5, 2024. https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/how-to-control-blood-sugar-with-diet.
