The Three T’s of Halloween: Tricking, Treating, & Transforming
October 9, 2012Halloween can be full of scary things such as ghosts, goblins, and CANDY! The temptation of candy lurking in kids' trick-or-treat bags or dreading leftover candy is especially scary to anyone trying to lose or maintain weight loss. While Halloween temptations might be around every corner, don't forget this time of year is also supposed to be about fun! Here are some Tricks and Treats to help get you through the season.
Tricking your temptations:
One way to avoid the temptation of candy is to pass out novelty toys, $1 certificates from local stores and restaurants, or school supplies for trick-or-treaters instead of candy. The trick here is that you don't have food items available.
Out of sight, out of mind. Try waiting until the last minute to purchase candy or buy candy that you don't like to pass out at the door. Then be sure to keep it put away and unopened until it has to go to school or for trick-or-treat. Additionally, if there are leftover treats hanging around past a designated period of time, then make a commitment to donate the remaining candy to a local charity, school, business, pediatric unit, or shelter.
Replace the candy with healthy choices. Set out a bowl with healthy WLS-friendly snacks or enjoy the colors of the season with colorful fruit or vegetables in place of the candy.
If you have children with candy, one way to get it out of your house quick is to offer money or a wish list toy in exchange for their candy.
Treating your commitment:
Fall just does not feel like fall without some delicious seasonal flavors. No need to deprive ourselves. Sliced apple with low fat caramel dip makes a great snack. Also, check out the Pumpkin Protein Fluff recipe in this newsletter.
Nutrition Bite: 1 medium apple is 101 calories, low fat caramel sauce is 66 calories
You can prepare roasted seeds from your carved Halloween pumpkin as a nutritious snack. They are sweet and nutty in flavor and rich in magnesium. You can also make this a fun activity by going to a pumpkin patch instead of the supermarket to get your pumpkin. No pumpkin patches around? Check to see if there are any pseudo patches set up in your city.
Nutrition Bite: 1/4 cup of roasted & salted pumpkin seeds is 71 calories
Going to a party? It's easier to resist temptation if you know there will be food you can enjoy. Take your favorite healthy dishes such as a veggie tray, fruit salad or make this fun appetizer by OH Member Eggface appropriately named Spider Deviled Eggs.
Nutrition Bite: 1 cup of water-packed fruit salad is 74 calories
To get your pumpkin fix without the pie, with the additional benefit of flax seed and Omega 3's, try Kashi Granola Pumpkin Spice Flax bar.
Nutrition Bite: Kashi Granola Pumpkin Spice Flax bar (1 bar) is 90 calories.
Transforming your traditions:
Focus on fun activities that don't involve food temptations. Go on a hayride, visit a corn maze or haunted house. You can even go bowling, to a movie, or to your favorite Fall festival.
Costumes are NOT just for kids, be creative and have fun. There are lots of plus size costume options for both men and women. Check out PlusOneStop.com. Or create a costume at home. It would be a fun activity and save money. The Halloween Costume winners at the 2006 Lexington OH event were The 3 Blind Mice and their costumes were made of gray sweat suits, sunglasses, ears, nose and tail!
Enjoy the Fall scenery, take a drive or walk and admire the colors of the changing leaves. You may want to stop at a scenic spot to collect a few leaves. Even if you live in a part of the country where the leaves do not change, get out and enjoy the cooler weather before it gets cold.
Skip the car and walk if you can! If you have the opportunity to walk with trick-or-treating kids this is a fun way to get in some exercise and burn calories.
Activity Tip: A 275 pound person walking for one hour can burn 437 calories
Please share your favorite tricks, treats and traditions with us in the Comment section below. Have a Happy and Healthy Halloween!
The Nutrition Bites and Activity Tips were gathered from ObesityHelp.com Health Tracker
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sarah (aka Sarahlicious) has been an active member of ObesityHelp since 2003. Her specific areas of interests are Lipedema, Lymphedema, Obesity, and Health Insurance advocacy. Sarah writes about her life experiences at Born2lbFat. She is a member of the Board of Directors of both the Obesity Action Coalition and the Lymphedema Advocacy Group. Sarah has a Masters in Health Law.Read more articles by Sarah Bramblette! |
