For many of us, Halloween is the unofficial start of the holiday season – two months of bite-size candy, homemade treats, rich desserts, and family dinners. Here are our top-ten strategies to avoid tasty temptations.
- Buy candy you don’t love. If your kids enjoy it – that’s all that matters. And it’s always easier to avoid the candy dish if it’s filled with sweets that aren’t your favorites.
- Out of sight, out of mind. Ask your coworkers for a little help and slip their candy into a drawer instead of on their desk.
- Savor one piece of your favorite candy a day. A taste of candy each day will not derail even the most strict of diet plans. Commit to enjoying only one piece and treat yourself responsibly.
- Chew gum. Sugarless gum gives your mouth a burst of sweet sensation for very few calories.
- Replace the candy with better choices. Make the see-food diet work in your favor by putting out a bowl of colorful fruit or veggies in place of the candy.
- Move the candy jar. Studies show that we’re less likely to reach for the candy dish if it’s even a little out of reach.
- Count the empty wrappers. Don’t throw away your bite-size candy wrappers immediately. Keep them in sight so you can track how many you’ve eaten. It’s about accountability.
- Take a walking break. Fill your lungs with fresh air instead of filling your belly with candy.
- Manage your hunger. Make time to eat a healthy breakfast and keep fruit, low-fat yogurt and granola at your desk or in your fridge.
- Sip on a low-calorie beverage. Staying hydrated is an easy way to curb hunger. Satisfy your sweet tooth with apple juice or hot cocoa.