Posted by Sidra Forman on Fri, Oct 30, 2009
Reaching into that candy dish is fine—as long as you're doling out
those sweets to trick-or-treaters, and not yourself! Don't let
Halloween and all its luscious goodies sideline your diet. Instead, try
these tricks to treat yourself right during this candy-filled holiday.
Buy treats you don't like.
The Halloween holiday can be an excuse to stock up on your favorite
candy. Why tempt yourself? Instead, grab a bunch of candy that you
don't even like, and you won't be reaching for it. If you do end up
with a bag that contains your favorite candy, be sure to give those out
first so when Halloween's over, you won't have them lying around.
Skip the sweets.
Who says you have to give out candy? Instead, opt for non-food treats,
such as erasers, pencils, markers and stickers. If you'd rather hand
out edible goodies, try healthier treats like packages of dried fruit
or pretzels. Another good idea: If you'll be taking your kids door to
door to trick or treat, shift the emphasis away from candy altogether
by supporting a UNICEF drive; then you can collect coins instead of
candy.
Indulge wisely. If you're going to
splurge, be sure to look at the portion size and ingredients of the
candies you choose; they vary greatly in fat and calorie content. And
keep in mind that a single lollipop or a piece of hard candy can be
enjoyed longer than a chocolate bar for fewer calories.
Party healthy—not hearty.
Throwing a bash? Take advantage of many of the seasonal, festive foods
including healthful pumpkin
seeds, apples or popcorn.
For more healthy-eating advice, check out TheBestLife.com.