Happy Halloween!

With Halloween right around the corner, I’m sure everyone has stocked up on treats to give out the little ghosts and goblins that will come trick-or-treating. Happy Halloween … or is it? We’ve ALL been there. Feeling great about staying away from the Halloween candy or other treats. You’ve made a plan and then something happens. You get into a fight with your partner, something goes wrong at work, or you get upsetting news. The next thing you know, you’re digging into the Halloween candy stash or other treats.

Treat? or Trick?

While there’s nothing wrong with a treat here and there (as long as it doesn’t trigger you into a binge and drag you off plan for days and weeks), the excess sugar can lead to sudden spikes and subsequent drops in blood sugar levels (not to mention, the inflammation and achy joints and general overall). These swings in blood sugar can cause mood swings, fatigue, and even more cravings for more sugar – it’s a spooky cycle!

Halloween is just one of the many holidays, “weekends” and special occasions we have each year (not even counting Fridays or vacations!!). When every weekend, holiday or special occasion feels like a reason to say “I’ll have just one” or you go into “screw it” mode, you’re giving up on approximately a third of your year by doing this. Shocking, isn’t it?

I don’t believe in classifying foods as “good” or “bad”, rather I classify them as foods that either support my health goals or cause me to feel ill, cause inflammation in my body and don’t support me on my health journey. I don’t feel highly processed foods serve anyone except to promote ill-health. They can be highly addictive, causing you to continue to crave them.

Emotional Eating anyone???

So, here’s some good news: It’s NOT your fault. Really, it’s not. You, (as a human being) are hardwired to look for and eat high quantities of calorie dense foods. That’s to make sure you have enough fuel to make it through the lean times when food is scarce.

The problem? Now-a-days, there are no lean times!

Doesn’t matter what you call it…

• Comfort Food
• Stress Eating
• Food Addiction
• Emotional Eating
• Overeating
• Cravings…

It all ends the same way. Standing there with the fridge door open or looking through the pantry for something that “sounds good” even though you aren’t truly hungry. If carrot sticks or an apple sounds good, then you are hungry.

But… What you are looking for is not in the fridge!

Halloween is tough for emotional eaters…and I want to help. No need to get spooked by all that candy around you. You don’t need to fall into a pity party of self-hatred by “blowing it” again. Be proactive, plan and ahead. I’ve got a few tips for you!

1. Put the candy out of sight and don’t buy it early.
2. Don’t buy candy you like.
3. Give something other than candy – like small toys, glow sticks, etc.
4. Have someone else give out the treats if you’re tempted.
5. When trick-or-treaters slow down, pick a time and that last kid get the remainder of what’s in the bowl so all the candy is gone. Turn out your lights.

Halloween can be the beginning of the end for so many people when the holiday season starts. It’s one thing after another from Thanksgiving in mid-October (here in Canada) and continues right into the new year with resolutions driven by guilt and regret. But… It doesn’t have to be that way!

Happy Halloween Treats

There are lots of low carb, sugar free treats that are easy to make if you don’t want to miss out over the holidays. By making your own treats, you are in control of what they are made of, and you can enjoy them without guilt. Remember though, treats should be occasional, not daily. Save them for the special occasion so you can truly enjoy them.

Make a plan, one you can stick to and be prepared! It does get easier with each occasion that comes along. Remember, you are choosing foods that make you feel good and nourish your body. Even if the food initially makes you feel good, but later makes you feel guilty, ashamed or has you not feeling well, you need to shift your mindset around why you wanted it and feel those emotions instead of stuffing them down and numbing out with food.

Let me know in the comments if you have a great non-candy idea for the kids – I need a new plan for next year as I’ve done glow sticks for a few years now.