Healthier Halloween

Hello!

Halloween forces the question: Is the occasional sugar indulgence a harmless tradition or a foolish assault on your health?

That may sound overly dramatic–and goodness knows many of us have survived our share of sugar binges–but the latest research on sugar is pretty damning. So here are some ways to minimize sugar’s effects:

1. If you’re gonna have sugar

   • favor long-lasting hard candies over soft ones that are gone in seconds
   • favor dark chocolate
   • enjoy it earlier in the day, when your blood sugar may be less likely to spike
   • enjoy some veggies and protein beforehand, to blunt the spike in blood sugar
   • enjoy it at a time of day when you are physically active
   • decrease the amount of starch or alcohol you eat that day
   • eat extra-nutritious foods the rest of the day, to help offset the empty calories
   • get rid of leftovers once you’ve had your fill

OR, better yet,

1. Replace candy with healthier edible treats, such as

   • toasted pumpkin seeds from carved pumpkins
   • pumpkin, fresh baked, with cinnamon
   • bobbing for apples

2. Consider replacing trick-or-treat candy with

   • stickers
   • coins
   • glow bracelets
   • small toys

Or, just fill your day with the non-edible delights of Halloween, such as costumes, pumpkin carving, decorating, scary movies and such. No need to have sugar-induced health problems on your list of scary, spooky frights.

Have a good week!

Jill