Halloween is upon us—It’s a great time for the kids but it can be a very tough time if you are trying to stick with a diet. That bowl overflowing with delicious treats and the bags of unopened candy are just beckoning you to indulge. The temptation can be very strong. I'm not saying you can’t eat the candy but you do need a plan. Halloween is really the kick off to the holiday season and the holidays are the perfect excuse to blow your diet. A little indulgence can be a good thing but too much indulgence can keep you from meeting your healthy eating goal.
The key is to have a plan before the candy comes. Saying to yourself that you will rely on willpower is simply setting yourself up for failure. If you spend 10 minutes creating a plan you will greatly increase the chances of limiting your candy eating. So here’s how to be SMARTTM about your Halloween candy.
Be SMARTTM About Halloween Candy
1. Set a candy goal and write it down. "I’m going to limit my candy eating to Halloween night and two days after Halloween." "I will eat no more than 5 candies a day." (or whatever you want- the key is to be specific). "I will stick with my diet and exercise program through this holiday period."
2. Monitor your candy intake. Be aware of what you are eating. Get a piece of paper and write down the name of each piece of candy and when you ate it.
3. Arrange your world for success. Help your kids divide the candy into a keep pile for them, a give-away pile, and mommy and daddy pile. Don’t leave extra candy sitting around.
4. Recruit a support team. Tell your kids, spouse, or whoever is at home with you what your plan is. Let them know so they can be supportive of you.
5. Treat your actions. Set a reward for sticking with your goal ("If I reach my goal I will treat myself to 3 additional candies.")
This simple system will let you enjoy your candy while staying in control. This may sound like overkill for one holiday, but the Trick is not going overboard on the Treat.
Happy Halloween!
*The information contained in these articles is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always ask your physician or other qualified health professional about any matter concerning your individual health. Always seek the advice of your physician prior to starting or changing any medical treatment. Nothing contained in these answers is intended for medical diagnoses or treatment purposes.