Halloween is the holiday children love and adults dread. It’s like a tidal wave of candy descends upon your house and there is no stopping it. It is possible to survive Halloween without feeling guilty about your overindulgences and choices, and it is possible to stay on that therapeutic diet of yours even though your home and your children may be drowning in sugar. Here are some tips to help you keep your sanity and health goals in check during this time:
Tip #1: Be a Mindful Eater
Candy in your home may be a trigger for you. It may be really hard to eat just one piece and walk away. If this is you, now may be the time to work on some mindful eating. Before reaching for that piece of candy, stop and ask yourself the following, “Am I hungry? Do I really need to eat that piece of candy? What am I feeling right now?”. If you are truly hungry, eat the candy, but do so in a mindful way and really take the time to taste it. Savor the candy in your mouth and notice what senses come to life. After you finish the piece of candy, think about if you really need another piece and if the next piece will taste as good as the first. If not, feel good about your choice to eat the candy and walk away.
Tip #2: Make Treats You Can Enjoy
If you are following an anti-inflammatory diet or protocol, sugar is likely not on your allowed list. So instead of sulking in the corner about not being able to partake in any candy, go make your own! There are dozens of recipes for anti-inflammatory, paleo or autoimmune protocol (AIP) treats. Some of my favorites are these Vegan Paleo No Bake Cookie Dough Cups and these Salted Caramel Pumpkin Spice Bites.
Tip #3: Celebrate the Creativity of the Holiday
Partaking in creative activities can actually help reduce inflammation! Halloween is full of creative activities including pumpkin carving, lawn and house decorating, costume making and putting on scary or silly make-up. Come up with creative costumes and have your family or friends guess what you are. Host a zoom costume party and give away prizes for different costume categories. Do a pumpkin carving contest with friends or neighbors. Embracing the holiday by celebrating the non-candy aspect of Halloween can be just as fun (if not more) as trick or treating.
Tip #4: Create New Traditions That Don’t Include Eating
Trick or treating may be off the table this year, but you can create other traditions to help celebrate Halloween. One that my family did this year was “Boo-ing” our friends. We created Halloween baskets full of candy, stickers and toys and left them on our friends’ doorsteps anonymously. We included a note in the basket to pay it forward, (and this may also be a good way to get rid of your candy after Halloween is over).
Tip #5: Practice Self Love
Lastly, if you do eat more candy than you would have liked, remember that your worth is more than a piece of candy. Try to not beat yourself up about it. We are human and no one is perfect. Accept your decision, do not judge your actions, and move on. Remember, your health journey is a journey and it takes time. One little bump in the road will by no means derail you.
If you are on or would like to start a journey to better health, click here to book a free call with me to learn how we can work together to achieve your goals. Happy Halloween!!
