Having a Healthy Halloween

Here we are again…Halloween. Another holiday that revolves around eating. What makes Halloween extra spooky, when it comes to nutrition, is that the eating mainly involves sugary, processed treats. So, here’s your yearly reminder on how to stay mindful this week.

Eat a balanced meal: Before trick-or-treating or parties, consume a meal rich in lean proteins, whole grains, and vegetables to stay full and reduce the temptation for sweets. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help your body stay hydrated and flush out some sugar. Offer healthy alternatives: Provide healthier options such as fruits, vegetables with hummus, or small granola bars as alternatives to candy. (This also has the added bonus of ensuring you have less trick-or-treaters at your house next year😂).

Practice portion control: Give out fun-size or small portions of treats, rather than full-size ones. Be selective with treats: Choose treats that you truly enjoy rather than eating them out of obligation. Pay attention to the taste and decide if they provide real satisfaction. Avoid distractions: Turn off screens while eating to be more aware of what and how much you are consuming. Focus on movement: Incorporate physical activity to help burn energy and promote well-being.  Set limits on candy: Make a conscious decision ahead of time as to how many pieces of candy you’ll have per day and store it out of sight the rest of the time. Enjoy with healthy accompaniments: When eating candy, pair it with a healthy snack or a glass of milk or water to make it more balanced. 

It’s also important not to get trapped in that all-or-nothing mindset. Sugary treats are often labeled as “bad” so when we succumb, and perhaps overindulge a bit, this leads us to think that we also are flawed in some way. Halloween should be fun! Yes, you might end up eating more sugar than usual, but this won’t define your health in the long run as long as you stay mindful and remember that it’s about balance. 

And if you need guidance on where to start with your nutrition, or need some extra accountability through the holidays, be sure to reach out to a DeNovo nutrition coach or set up a member check-in! We are here to help!