4 Tricks (and Treats!) To Make Halloween Healthy
EAT THE HALLOWEEN CANDY.
Hi, my name is Rachel, I'm a Certified Nutrition Consultant, and I approve this message 👆👆👆
I know, a nutritionist telling you to eat Halloween candy is REALLY confusing. Stay with me here.
Foods are a necessary part of a full life- ALL foods. Food is weighted with happy memories and positive associations. Not just the 'healthy' foods- all types of foods.
Like sucking on a Ring Pop for the first time since you were 9 years old- it brings back TONS of memories.
But then nutrition advice tells people to not eat any of their kids' Halloween candy. And then we do, and then we feel guilty because we 'don't have willpower.'
I don't believe in willpower.
AND.
I don't work in guilt and shame. I work with reality.
And here's the reality of Halloween if you are a parent:
We go to the school Halloween party.
We get the kids ready in their costumes.
We walk for a couple hours trick-or-treating.
Then...
We're supposed to come home and cook a healthy dinner and NOT eat all the Halloween candy?
Just...no.
EAT THE DAMN CANDY.
Am I saying eat the whole mini Snickers bag? No. There are ways to find balance, so keep reading...
And if you want to learn more about my guilt-free method of working with clients - Click here
Trick #1:
Don't even fool yourself thinking there will be any actual cooking on Halloween.
There will be no chopping or sautéing or anything of the sort. If you are a parent of school-age children, you will be too busy and too tired, period. Try these tricks instead:
- Pre- order healthy takeout before you go out trick or treating. Don't wait till after or you'll be too hungry to choose healthier options.
- Throw a bunch of stuff in a crockpot before you go trick or treating and have it waiting when you get home, like chili or taco meat.
- Slow roast something in the oven while you are out.
Trick #2:
Pick your candies.
OK, nobody ACTUALLY likes Tootsie Rolls. So why the hell are we all eating them? Pick the candies you actually like and stick with those, versus just eating ALL THE CANDY.
Also, keep in mind that those minis can add up. Having a few is one thing, having the whole bag is definitely going to leave you not feeling so great.
Trick #3:
Eat a high protein snack before Trick or Treating.
Protein helps us feel full, and is slowly digested which prevents big blood sugar spikes (which leads to cravings or "lack of willpower"). Instead of facing a bucket full of candy with a growling stomach, have a snack beforehand (psst. this works for kids too):
- Apple with nut butter and raisins
- Hard boiled eggs with fruit
- Carrots with hummus
- Plain yogurt or cottage cheese with fruit
Trick #4:
Ditch the guilt.
It's not doing you (or your health goals) any favors.
Yeah, eating a whole bag of mini Snickers is not great for your health. But know what else is TERRIBLE for your health? Stress. And stressing about eating something you think you 'shouldn't have'.
So just eat the damn candy, not too much, and enjoy the hell out of it.