Does the Thought of Halloween Candy Bingeing Make You Shiver?

Costumes, jack-o-lanterns, crisp cool weather, the smell of Fall in the air and … candy. For years I dreaded Halloween. In meant only one thing: Candy bingeing.

For many people Halloween kicks off the “holiday season” of overeating, poor food choices and weight gain. It’s hard to recover one’s spirit after consuming massive amounts of sugar in a matter of hours. With Thanksgiving on Halloween’s heels and the winter holidays not too far away it’s an easy time of the year to say, “I quit. I’m not even going to try.”

I know, I was there. I used to simultaneously love and dread Halloween. I loved watching my daughters’ joy in making their costumes and then proudly watching them march in the school parade. How wonderful was their unfettered notion that they could be anything they wanted to be.

But then, as the sun set and my girls hit the sidewalks trick-or-treating in our neighborhood the only goblins I thought about was the sugar monster that seemed to take hold and not let go. After my girls would go to bed, one candy would turn into two and into three and it seemed there was some force that I could not shake loose. Even if I managed to restrain myself with my children’s candy there was the issue of the the leftover candy.

There is a way out!

The 7-Step Plan to Nail the Coffin on Halloween Candy Bingeing

1. Create A Plan Before The Candy Arrives in Your House — Make your plan in advance. Share your plan with other members of your household, particularly adult members that will help you uphold the plan.

2.  Buy Candy on Halloween Day — Why have temptation in the house? Rather than buying in advance and having it egg you on, wait until the last minute. Or, you might consider ….

3. Give Out A Healthier Alternative — Americans spend a whopping $2.08 billion (BILLION) on candy for Halloween. No one needs sugar and particularly kids! Consider Halloween pencils, temporary tattoos, superballs, party favors or bubbles. My girls used to love getting toys instead of candy.

4. Get In a Short Interval Workout —  Research demonstrates that short, intense interval workouts lead to a short-term suppression of food intake. Take an interval class at your gym or if you’re looking for a workout you can do in the comfort of your home try the Scientific 7-Minute Workout.

5. Eat Satisfying, Filling Meals Throughout the Day — Don’t skip meals thinking you’ll save the calories for candy. That will backfire! Instead, eat high-fiber meals and snacks. You will feel fuller and fiber helps control blood sugar levels by mitigating your body’s response to insulin.  

A high-fiber cereal or oatmeal with berries on top is a great way to start the day. For lunch, enjoy a salad sprinkled with chickpeas and some nuts (almonds, peanuts, walnuts, or pecans). Make a stir-fry for dinner using a variety of vegetables, and top with roasted pumpkin seeds.

6. Get Honest with Yourself When the Cravings Hit — Clearly, you are not hungry if you have eaten as suggested. Are you thirsty? Sad? Anxious? Stressed? Reminiscent of Halloweens past? Put a name to exactly what you’re feeling.

7. Have a Strategy in Place Ready to Go — Simply can’t have candy in the house? Have your kids pick out their favs and get rid of the rest. Then take it to the neighbor’s for safe keeping. Or, put it in a fire safe and have someone else hold the key. And, when you then dole out the treats to your kids, put a couple aside for you too. No reason to completely deny yourself!

Lastly, keep in mind. You are not alone! Sugar is an addiction. Need proof? Watch this Jimmy Kimmel video titled, Hey Jimmy Kimmel, I Told My Kid I Ate All Their Halloween Candy, and have a good laugh!

See, sugar turns us all into scary monsters!

Have a safe and happy Halloween. And, watch out for those sugar goblins!

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