Halloween marks the beginning of the holiday season. Bring on the pies, candies, parties and—for the average person—a few pounds of extra weight! But it is possible for you and your family to enjoy this fun holiday without going completely unhealthy. Here’s how.
Go easy in the candy aisle. The temptation begins with the first glimpse of candy in the grocery store. And if there’s a sale, well, that’s just too good to be true. Although it seems like smart shopping to stock up on a favorite bag (or five) for trick-or-treaters, I know from experience that the candy is lucky to make it to the parking lot before I sneak a bite. Once the bag is open, the treats inside may as well be gone, and then I’m back at the store purchasing more. In the end, neither money nor calories was saved. On the other hand, if I’m careful to shop at the last minute for just the right amount of sweets, and to avoid buying my favorite candy (the kind I can’t resist), I find I eat less and the candy stays in the bag. After Halloween, if the trick-or-treaters have left anything behind, I bring those leftovers into the office to be enjoyed by my coworkers—so that it’s not lying around my house.
Opt for alternative treats. Another way to avoid candy temptation is simply not to buy it. Last Halloween, I distributed stickers and glow sticks to trick-or-treaters. And you know what, my fears of angry, candy-deprived teenagers seeking retaliation proved unfounded. The kids loved lighting up the glow sticks, parents thanked me for the sweet reprieve, and the streets were filled with more visible, safer children. When looking for candy alternatives, consider small objects that fill children with delight: bubbles, paper airplanes, chalk and bouncy balls are all great choices. Even if you’re a last-minute type, a treat as simple as some spare change can evoke excitement in children.
Get moving. Instead of beginning the season with sugar, create healthy holiday rituals with family or friends. Walk, run, roller blade or bike around the neighborhood for a Halloween decoration tour. Head to the pumpkin farm and stroll through the fields in search of the perfect jack-o-lantern material. The walk, combined with the effort of lugging around all that heavy produce, provides a gentle but effective workout. For some added biceps work, go home and carve that 15-pound pumpkin.
Go for healthy treats that celebrate the season without added sugar.
Cook healthy. Everywhere you go this time of year—from the supermarket to Starbuck’s—the smell of pumpkin and autumn spices is in the air. As irresistible as those scents are, many of these “special” foods and beverages are loaded with sugar and fat. In the grocery store, eschew the holiday baking mixes and opt for lower-calorie squash- or pumpkin-based treats. Instead of making sugary pumpkin cupcakes, whip up a low-sugar pumpkin bread, roast some acorn squash or bake some freshly picked apples dusted with cinnamon and a pinch of brown sugar. If you’re lucky enough to have a you-pick farm nearby, head there with the family. Focusing on fresh seasonal produce rather than manufactured holiday snacks is a much healthier way to celebrate the season.
Think beyond pumpkin pie. Low in calories and packed with nutrients, the mighty pumpkin has some great health benefits and belongs in more than just pie. After carving your jack-o-lantern, rinse and dry the scooped-out seeds and bake in the oven for a delicious, healthy treat. I like to toss mine with a little coconut oil and salt, and bake them alongside the pumpkin flesh in a low-temperature oven for at least an hour wrapped in foil. I like my seeds plain, but you can add your favorite spices to mix it up. Baked pumpkins are easy to prepare and taste delicious, especially if you buy the pie or sugar pumpkin varieties. Mashed pumpkin is great as is, or may be folded into macaroni-and-cheese or other sauces, fooling even the pickiest eaters—including my husband.
Fill up before trick-or-treating. If you have kids, candy in the house is inevitable this time of year, and it would be cruel to ban trick-or-treating. However, there are clever ways to deal with the sweet stuff. Accompany kids on their trick-or-treating routes, so you can limit the candy snacking and enjoy a nice walk with them. If the kids are going solo, provide a healthy, filling meal beforehand to discourage munching throughout the neighborhood. Almost every city has a dentist buying candy from children or candy donation centers your children might be interested in, even if just for their least favorite candies. You can also store the candy to dole out in moderation. Another alternative is offering to trade candy with your child for a non-food reward such as a toy or outing. The idea of a “switch witch,” who comes in the middle of the night to leave a present in exchange for Halloween candy, is an idea that’s been catching on in recent years (and there’s even a cute book about her to read to your kids).
However you decide to handle Halloween temptations, remember that moderation is key and you shouldn’t limit yourself so much that you feel deprived. Halloween isn’t just for the kids, after all, so get out there and have some fun too.
Happy Halloween from all of us at Red Typewriter!
