Halloween is fun, but we know it’s also anxiety-producing for some of our weight-conscious and health-conscious clients. Changing eating habits is hard work, and if you’re working on your trigger foods, we know that Halloween can be a particularly triggering night… or couple of nights with all that candy in the house! Get ahead of the game with these tips for a mindful Halloween.
#1- Decide ahead of time what your mental framework is going to be.
Are you the kind of person who needs to avoid candy altogether? Are you okay with letting yourself have a little? Or will you indulge just for one day and then get back to healthy eating the very next day? Ultimately, it’s your decision, but it’s important to set yourself up for success instead of falling to passive, unintentional behaviors. Be realistic with yourself. If you need advice about how to prepare your mind for Halloween, ask us! We’ll talk with you about your goals and help you set a game plan that you feel good about.
#2- Buy candy for Trick-or-Treaters at the last minute possible.
The less time it spends in the house, the less tempted you and your family will be to break open the bag early.
#3- Take the focus off of yourself and food by standing up for a good cause, like the Teal Pumpkin Project.
#4- After Trick-or-Treating, keep candy out of sight to avoid mindless eating.
Can you store it in a high cupboard or in the pantry instead of out on the kitchen island?
#5- Keep candy in a public location if you’re prone to sneaking sweets.
Not because you’re committing a crime by eating candy (we don’t believe in guilt) but because eating in secret indicates that you do associate sweets as “bad”. And if that’s the case, you need to become aware of when those feelings are happening and learn how to overcome them. (Ask us about Intuitive Eating for achieving victory over sneaking food).
#6- Focus on the festivities, like lights, decorations, costumes, and Halloween movies instead of food.
#7- Turn Trick-or-Treating into a life lesson for you and the kids by donating extra candy to a charity.
#8- If you’re ready for it, decide how many pieces of candy you’ll portion out for yourself per day.
When you eat them, really savor them. Food is meant to be enjoyed mindfully, not eaten in a hurry.
#9- Respect your body’s hunger and fullness cues. (Ask us about using the Hunger Scale if you are not already familiar with this concept)
#10- Eat sweets with meals instead of on their own so that you fill up on nutritious choices
Remember that there is no “right” or “wrong” with the way you decide to tackle Halloween. The important thing is that you take control of the night rather than letting your environment and emotions control you and your food choices. Be mindful, have fun, and if you need support your TNT team is here for you.
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