By Theresa Beeco
SCARY FACT: The average American will gain between 1 and 2lbs every year during the weeks between Halloween and Christmas!
As the season of spookiness descends upon us, it’s time to confront a bone-chilling fact that might send shivers down your spine. On average, Americans tend to gain between one and two pounds yearly during the tantalizing weeks that bridge Halloween to Christmas. (After just five years, that equals 10 pounds!) That’s right, those devilishly delightful treats can often lead to a genuinely terrifying outcome for your waistline. But fear not, for we’re here to guide you through the treacherous Halloween candy maze while staying on track with your diet. With these tips in your trick-or-treat bag, you can navigate the tempting candy aisles and keep those extra pounds at bay.
Tips for making Halloween while dieting less terrifying:
- Buy candy as close to the 31st as you possibly can so it’s not sitting for too long in your eyeshot.
- Buy candy to hand out that you DONT eat to avoid temptation.
- Give away any leftovers from your handouts to neighbors or coworkers.
- Establish a Candy Keeper- someone in charge of keeping the evening’s sugary score from being too accessible and who will keep tabs on how often you want access to the stash.
- Create a plan. Map out your street strategy ahead of time and have your little goblins guess how many steps you’ll clock by the time you get back home. Be sure to include trickier terrain like hills or neighborhoods with houses spaced far apart.
- Make sure you eat dinner BEFORE venturing out.
- Hydrate as you go, and remember, a piece of sugarless mint gum is a low calorie way to keep cravings at bay.
- Should you choose to indulge, indulge for the night, not the entire season.
- Treat yourself to kindness. Don’t be hard on yourself for hitting the candy bowl. Remind yourself that ALL foods can be part of a healthy lifestyle without guilt or shame.
- Forget the Franken-bags; equip the kiddos with smaller sacs so that your “take home volume” is less!
As the Jack-o’-lanterns glow, remember that this holiday can still be enjoyed without being haunted by the fear of weight gain. With these practical tips, you can make the most of this spooktacular season without straying from your medical weight loss goals. So, as you venture into the world of witches, ghouls, and ghosts, keep these tips close to heart and let Halloween be a celebration of fun, not a season of dread. After all, you deserve to treat yourself with kindness and a happy, healthy smile as you take on the festive journey from Halloween to Christmas.
