Avoid Halloween Candy Weight Gain
Halloween candy image via Shutterstock
Halloween candy has been on grocery and drug store shelves since Labor Day. The candy seems to whisper as you walk by, Buy me! Buy me! For “healthier” options you could try the new all-natural candy we reported on last month called Unreal. There is also the new “supercandy” from a company based in Andover called Snap Infusion. The candies and gum are made with natural ingredients and infused with vitamins.
But, no matter how “healthy” the candy is, it is still candy. And if you are a parent of young children, you will most likely be stealing a small piece of candy here and there for the next two weeks. Fortunately, Kathy McManus, director of nutrition at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, says that with a little discipline, it is easy to get through the Halloween holiday without adding a few extra pounds.
- Enjoy a small treat. “Do not deny yourself candy altogether. Instead, indulge with a keen sense of mindfulness and moderation.”
- Buy candy you don’t like: “This will help you keep yourself from dipping into the stash before the big night.”
- Procrastinate. “Don’t buy your Halloween candy until October 31. This will prevent pre-holiday snacking.”
- Count calories. “Before Halloween arrives, make a decision about how many treat calories per day you will allow yourself. Keep this calorie amount below 200 calories.”
- Work it out. “On days you decide to indulge in extra calories, do more physical activity to burn those calories off. A two mile walk at a brisk pace [about a 15 minute mile] should burn those 200 calories.”
Do you love candy? How will you avoid the holiday weight gain this year?
