15 Oct Don’t Get Spooked By Halloween Treats!
Halloween is drawing near and candy is starting to appear everywhere!
Should we run back to our desk cubicle, hide, and hope the candy doesn’t find us, even though that’s probably what we will be thinking about for the rest of the day? Or should we eat it all really fast so then it is “gone quicker”? Whew! Dealing with the candy monster sounds exhausting! Don’t let the fear of treats be the scariest part about Halloween.
If you’ve ever experienced stress or anxiety around sweets, here are my tricks to enjoying treats on Halloween:
Enjoy Without Distractions: It’s not uncommon to eat in front of a screen, whether it is a T.V., computer, or smartphone. Eating while distracted can lead to over consumption of candy and can leave you feeling unsatisfied. Try silencing your phone and shutting down screens next time you want to enjoy a piece of candy to fully enjoy the moment.
Lose the Rules: Have you ever had a parent tell you that you can’t have something or that you can only have “x” amount? Chances are after they told you that, you wanted it even more! Well the same goes for Halloween treats. For me, when I told myself I couldn’t have more than one or two pieces of candy, all I could think about was candy and how much I wanted it. So, even when I ate those one or two pieces I didn’t enjoy them because all I could think about was how I wanted more.
Savor It: Pause for a minute or two before you begin eating to observe the color, texture, aroma, and even sounds of the foods you are eating. As you chew your food, savor the flavor and see if you can identify the individual ingredients and spices. This practice helps to increase satisfaction and to help you eat slower so that you truly enjoy the candy rather than just scarfing it down.
Donate the Extra: While it might be hard for kids to let the candy go, getting in the habit of giving back lets them enjoy a truly special treat: the feeling of helping others. Have your kids put their favorite candy in one pile to keep and the rest in another pile to donate. Here are some organizations that will gladly accept your unwanted candy:
| Maryann Walsh, MFN, RD, CDE Registered Dietitian/ Nutrition Communications Specialist |