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Tips for a Healthy Halloween

By Melinda Maryniuk, MEd, RD, CDCES

Halloween has turned into a whole season of temptations, not just a single night, and it can be really hard for anyone who’s trying to eat healthier. Here are a few tips and tricks to help manage the treats.

Wait to buy candy. Plan to buy the treats you want to give out just a day or two before Halloween so you’re not tempted by candy in the house for weeks before the 31st.

Offer healthier treats. Mini-bags of nuts, granola bars, snack chips, raisins or popcorn might end up being the treats that kids can actually keep and eat! In an effort to reduce the junk food, many parents are now limiting the amount of candy they allow their kids to eat.

Buy your least favorite candies. There is no rule that says you have to give out your personal favorites. Reduce the risks to snack by purchasing the treats you could care less about.

Sugar-free? Pros and cons. You may think you’re doing yourself a favor by buying candies labeled “sugar-free”. Not necessarily. These products use an artificial sweetener or sugar alcohol, such as maltitol or xylitol. While this type of sugar does have less of an effect on blood glucose (and contributes to only about half of the carb calories), eating a few too many can make your tummy rumble and lead to diarrhea. Sugar-free candies may also contain many more processed ingredients. Example of the calorie comparison? 3 mini sugar-free peanut butter cups = 90 calories and 6.6 grams fat. 3 mini regular peanut butter cups = 84 calories and 6 grams fat. Which do you choose? (I’ll have the regular!)

Plan a give-away. You’ll likely have leftovers, so instead of keeping a candy bowl filled “just in case the grandkids drop by” plan where you can bring the candy. Bring it to the office break room, to a local shelter, soup kitchen, or a retirement home. Some dental offices participate in candy buy-back programs, and there are also websites where you can learn how to send candy to those in the armed services. Check out www.operationgratitude.com & www.halloweencandybuyback.com.

Enjoy. If you’re going to eat some Halloween candy, then plan for it and enjoy it. Ideally, pick your favorite, savor it slowly and don’t feel guilty. Since the “fun size” and “mini” (even smaller versions) sold at Halloween don’t have label information on the wrappers, here’s a guide to some of the favorites:

Bring a Halloween-themed treat. The best way to avoid the many temptations at the neighborhood party is to bring something you know is tasty, and something that fits your eating plan. Stuff a hollowed out mini-pumpkin with guacamole or a yogurt dip and serve with baby carrots. Make a batch of the pumpkin spice muffins below. Your friends will appreciate that you’re thinking about their health, too!

Recipe for Pumpkin Spice Muffins:

Makes: 16 mini-muffins. Serving Size: 2.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 3 tsp. baking powder
  • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar stevia (Truvia)
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • ½ cup nonfat milk (or non-dairy milk of choice)
  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • ¼ cup raisins (or can use chopped nuts)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line 16 mini-muffin-pan cups with paper liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and spices. In a medium bowl, stir together the beaten egg, Truvia, pumpkin, milk, and applesauce; stir until well blended. Stir the raisins or chopped nuts into the flour mixture until just blended. Fill the muffin-pan cups 2/3 full. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the muffins from the pans. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Information:

Per 2 muffins: 95 calories, 20 grams carb, 3 grams fiber

(Recipe adapted from Diabetes Forecast)

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While this article provides guidance about healthy eating, it’s important to stress that for many people, diet and exercise alone aren’t enough to reach a healthier weight. The good news is that there are safe and effective medical treatments available that can address the biological issues that make sustained weight loss difficult. To find a physician near you who specializes in weight management, click here.

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This article was sponsored by Novo Nordisk Canada. All content is created independently by My Weight – What To Know with no influence from Novo Nordisk.

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