Tips and Tricks to Avoid Overeating on Halloween

By Mike O.

Halloween is approaching, and it is bringing temptation around every corner of the supermarket. Halloween candy, in my opinion, is dangerously delicious, but with a few easy tips, we can stop ourselves from wanting to eat all of the Halloween treats and candy in the bowl.

It is okay, once in a while, to allow yourself to have a treat here or there, and thereby, avoid complete deprivation. If you can, save up your “cheat meal” or “cheat day” for Halloween in the days or weeks prior.

Tip #1

Grocery shopping can be hard enough with all the temptation jumping out at you. During the months leading up to Halloween, do yourself a favor and avoid buying the candy, until a couple of days before Halloween night. “Out of sight; out of mind” is my favorite saying when I am trying to stay consistent on my diet. This is why it is so important for you to wait to buy the candy until you absolutely need it.

Tip #2

If tip number one is a little difficult for you to follow, try buying candy you don’t like or can pass up easily. This is a simple tip, because you will be much less likely to want to eat candy that you are not really fond of.

Tip #3

When allowing yourself to eat candy, try to utilize portion control. Do not purchase an entire bag of candy corn, for instance, (unless you don’t like candy corn) because you might be tempted to eat more than one serving, and end up finishing the whole bag. Try to opt for individual packages, and always get the “fun size” versus the large or full size. This will minimize the damage if and when you decide to indulge in a piece or two.

Tip #4

If you indulge, slow down. Each piece of candy is a delicious treat that you should really savor; therefore, make sure you slow down and focus on the taste and the mouthfeel, so you do not need more than one piece. Enjoying one piece of candy instead of thinking about what your next piece will be, will help slow you down, and you will end up consuming much less candy in the long run.

Tip #5

Halloween parties are a ton of fun, and usually provide a wide variety of fun and spooky Halloween treats. If you are attending a Halloween party, make sure that you are still eating three to five smaller, healthy meals throughout the day. This is important to control your blood sugar levels. Also, ensure you have had plenty of water to drink throughout the day and prior to the party.

When it’s finally time to dive head first into the dessert table, allow yourself one trip only and choose only one or two items that you really enjoy.  Remember that you don’t have to eat the whole dessert. For example, if your favorite part of the cupcake is the top half, just enjoy the top half, and discard the rest. There are no rules to follow, really, when it comes to dessert. You are still consuming calories, by discarding some of the dessert, but a smaller amount, so that you are not completely depriving yourself.

Tip #6

Once your sweet tooth has been turned on, it is important to consume lots of water. Thirst can disguise itself as hunger. If you feel like you need another piece of candy or a treat off the dessert table, instead, try drinking some water, and allow yourself to wait about 20 minutes.

Remember, it is ok to allow yourself to consume one or two snack sized portions of candy, or a treat off the dessert table.

Tip #7

If you do not have the control to stop eating the candy once the holiday is over, give it away. If there is a community break room at your place of work, leave a bowl with all your leftover candy. By doing this, you will keep yourself accountable while still allowing yourself to enjoy the holiday.

As always, continue to keep your goals in mind during the month of October and be very conscious of what you are putting into your body!

Mike earned his personal trainer certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and has been a personal trainer since 2015, training youth athletes in both baseball and hockey, as well as training runners in strength training, specifically for half and full marathons. He has also trained and helped a wide variety of the senior population, focusing on better balance and strengthening the core. In addition to his NASM Personal Training certification, Mike is also a TRX-certified trainer, and working towards completing his NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist certification.
“I believe that having a positive mental attitude will help anyone overcome any obstacle in their way.”