Planning ahead circumvents and prevents a lot of problems. By anticipating issues of the past, one can begin now to change those mental hangups and sabotaging efforts that tend to start to ruin a healthy way of eating in the fall because of temptations from Mars candy company.
1) Take the kids and go do something fun instead of centering the holiday around candy. Holidays are about people and not food. Likewise, taking the kids (in costume if they wish) bowling or playing laser tag is not only healthy, but it’s also a fun memory they’ll remember, even long after the candy is gone.
2) Buy the kids’ candy from them. Offer $.50 for the candy bars and $.25 for everything else. Then toss the candy out or donate it to the food bank.
3) Give out slim jims for Halloween instead of candy. It’s slightly healthier. You could also substitute with fruit snacks, fruit leather, bagged peanuts, or other healthier options.
4) Give out toys or other non-edible items. Keeping the temptation out of the house is a great way to start fighting the temptation! We’ve been creating a major stir in the neighborhood with small packs of PlayDough. Target and Wal-Mart both sell these party-sized containers. Even the teenagers love them.
5) Buy candy only on the day of Halloween. If you really want to give out the candy, buy it the day of Halloween (preferably on your way home from work). This way the family won’t eat it before that date.
6) Buy candy no one likes in your family. This way, no one is tempted to eat it.
7) When the kids bring their candy home, let them each keep the candy bars and toss everything else. Corn syrup isn’t healthy for anyone; still, why not keep the good stuff and toss the filler? A candy bar per day (or week) when coupled with a healthy eating plan won’t cause immense damage to their health.
8) Buy each child their own ‘treat’ or a comparable toy instead of trick or treating, and spend the evening playing cards instead. If cheesecake is their favorite, make them that treat instead (low-carb, of course). Stay home and watch a Charlie Brown cartoon, or turn up the Monster Mash and dance with your ghould and goblins.
9) Take the Trick-Or-Treating time to talk with kids and enjoy the night air. Find leaves. What phase is the moon in? How are they doing with their new teacher? Times like these are as fleeting as autumn air. Enjoy those moments.
10) Have a bonfire for Halloween. Tell scary stories and spend the evening together, huddled under blankets, being thankful for togetherness. (Make sure there are no flammable Halloween costumes near the fire).
How does your family celebrate a healthy Halloween?