Let’s Try Not to Trick Ourselves This Halloween!
Hey Boo! Let’s be real… we cannot have candy around the house that we enjoy having and tell ourselves that it’s going to last and not be touched until we need to hand it out to the trick-or-treaters. That’s where we’re gonna start. Radical honesty with ourselves instead of playing a little trick-or-treat with ourselves and tricking ourselves into getting the treat that we don’t necessarily want… okay okay, maybe we do in the moment but not in the long term view of it all.
Procrastinate, Avoid or Choose Different
Procrastinate
Delay buying Halloween candy until the last minute. This helps minimize the temptation of having candy lying around before the big night. And I know a lot of people like to buy it ahead of time because things go on sale, but let’s be honest about this. If you do not want to consume candy right now and you find yourself to have issues having it around without partaking, don’t put it around yourself. You’re going to have it around for a very long time after.
Avoid Your Favorites
Consider buying candy that isn’t your favorite to reduce temptation. If you decide to eat candy, take out only what you plan to enjoy and stick to that amount. this is something that I do all the time. I will buy the candy that doesn’t actually matter as much to me. In fact, I actually went through an entire rating system of candy and decided that because I can buy any candy bar I want at any given time…. there was only one that was a mini snickers. Otherwise, forget Halloween. I’ll go buy my candy when I want it over at the gas station.
Choose Different
Think about offering non-traditional treats to trick-or-treaters. Options include mini granola bars, small packs of goldfish crackers or pretzels, fruit snacks, or trail mix. You can also give out toys like bouncy balls, mini puzzles, bubbles, chalk, or jump ropes.
Celebrate Mindfully
My favorite candy is Snickers—there’s something about that combination of chocolate, caramel and peanuts —that’s hard to beat! Avoiding candy altogether can sometimes make cravings stronger and lead to feeling out of control when you do eat it.
Here are some tips to help make peace with candy and enjoy it without guilt:
- Unconditional Permission: Allow yourself to enjoy candy all year round, not just on special occasions. This helps reduce the feeling that you need to eat as much as possible when it’s available. If the idea of giving yourself unconditional permission to eat all foods feels overwhelming, that’s completely normal. It takes time and practice to build a healthy relationship with food.
- Pair with Protein: Candy alone might not be filling, so try pairing it with a protein-rich snack to help satisfy your hunger more effectively.
- Be Selective: Only eat candy that you truly enjoy. If you don’t like it, don’t feel obligated to eat it just because it’s there.
- Mindful Eating: Pay attention to the taste, texture, and aroma of the candy. Is it meeting your expectations? This can help you savor the experience and feel satisfied with smaller amounts.
- Plan It In: Consider packing a few pieces of Halloween candy in your lunch. This makes it part of your regular eating plan and reduces the feeling of indulgence.
- Minimize Distractions: Try to enjoy your candy without distractions, so you can fully experience and appreciate the treat.
- Set a Deadline: Seasonal treats are special and can be enjoyed in moderation. Set a deadline for when the celebration ends, then return to your regular routine.
- A Guide for Mindful Eating
- The “BASICS” of Mindful Eating
- An Exercise For Mindful Eating
- A 7-Day Mindful Eating Challenge
- Mindful Eating: Choices & Celebrating Our Decisions
Get Creative
Like I said… Get creative! You can have candy. Get creative with how you do it. You could enjoy some candy with actual fruit and feel a little bit better about the choices that you’re making. Plus, it’ll help fill you up so you won’t grab as many pieces of candy overall.
Apple and “Reese’s” Dip
- 1 Apple, small
- 2 Reese’s Cups
- Add Reese’s cups to a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave for 15-30 seconds, until you can blend
- Slice the apple
- Dip the apple in peanut butter chocolate mix
Apple “Samoas”
- 1 Apple, small
- 1 Mini Hershey’s Bars
- 1 Tbsp Coconut flakes
- 1 oz Caramel or 3 Rolos
- Core & slice apples
- Melt caramel in the microwave for ~60 seconds.
- Drizzle caramel on top of apple slices.
- Break up the Hershey’s bars into pieces and sprinkle on top.
- Top with coconut flakes.
Banana “Snickers”
- ½ Banana
- 2 Mini Hershey’s Bars
- ⅛ cup Peanuts
- 1 Salt, dash
- Slice the banana in half, lengthwise
- Place nuts in a plastic bag and crush them
- Place Hershey bars in a small container, and microwave for 15-30 seconds until melted
- Top banana slices with chocolate and nuts
- Either eat as they are now or freeze for a few hours
What to Do with Leftover Candy
If you’re left with too much candy, keep a few pieces around (let kids choose 2 per week for a couple of weeks) and donate the rest. Many dental offices offer candy trade-ins or buy-backs. You can also save leftover candy for holiday treats like gingerbread houses, donate to a local homeless shelter or children’s hospital, or send as a care package to troops overseas.
Treats for Troops: This program, run by Soldier’s Angels, lets you send candy to military service members. Kids can even earn buyback prizes, and you can get a tax-deductible receipt.
Halloween Candy Buy Back: This group partners with businesses like dentists’ offices to collect excess candy in exchange for items like toothbrushes and hygiene kits. Use their zip code search to find a buyback location near you.
Operation Shoebox: They distribute candy to troops on Halloween, Christmas, and Easter.
Ronald McDonald House Charities: Contact your local chapter to see if they accept unopened Halloween candy for children and families staying at their facilities. https://rmhc.org
Other Donation Ideas: Consider donating to local food pantries, homeless shelters, or nursing homes if they accept Halloween candy.
