Tricks and Treats!

Vanessa here, wishing you a Happy Spooky Season!

Just to get this out of the way and up front: I am unashamedly Team Candy Corn, i.e. "The Most Hated Candy in America" according to an MSN poll and many, many, many food writers on the Internet. 

Halloween seems like the beginning of the holiday roller coaster, doesn’t it? As the season approaches, we start seeing Halloween candy and holiday recipes everywhere, along with a megaton of articles about how to control your eating. Here are three common TRICKS perpetuated by these articles, as well as three TREATS to remember during the season:

TRICK: You can “save up” for special holiday meals by restricting your eating at other times. (That just leaves you feeling deprived and overly hungry – a set-up for overeating!)

TRICK: You can make substitutions for your favorite holiday ingredients and feel just as satisfied. (How about you simply enjoy mashed cauliflower in its own right – not as a substitute for mashed potatoes?)

TRICK: You should exercise to burn off the extra calories. (This just turns exercise into punishment, making it less likely you’ll make it a long-term practice which is what really matters for your health.)

Now for the TREATS!

TREAT: Embrace the candy as part of the holiday celebration. Every holiday has activities and foods surrounding it. One doesn't have a bigger seat at the table than the other. By giving the candy a role as part of the fun, you are teaching your children (and yourself) that it doesn't have any special power that has to enjoyed immediately and in stomach-upsetting quantities. And if there is a particular candy that you enjoy the most, EAT IT. Don't eat something lower-fat or sugar-free or that box of raisins from that one house that insists on giving those out instead of candy. As we know, that behavior will likely result in mindlessly eating a lot more than just the one thing you were wanting.

TREAT: Plan trick-or-treating after a big snack or dinner. Especially if you or your family has difficulty with hunger or fullness signals, try having dinner before putting on those costumes. If a meal isn’t possible, have a snack like fruit and nut butter or a cheese stick. These nutrient-dense snacks will help stabilize energy levels and pair the candy with some protein and fat to avoid a sugar high (and the following crash).

TREAT: Stay mindful of the holiday experiences! It’s tempting to just “get through” this time of year on autopilot. Instead, do your best to notice all the sights, smells, tastes and feelings around the holidays. What is different about this year? What is the same? Grounding yourself and increasing situational awareness will help you tune into your inner needs and your surroundings. Take a few minutes to evaluate your thoughts and feelings about the season.

And by the way, candy corn was first marketed as "Chicken Corn" in the 1880s. So it's a protein, right?

Seasons’ Eatings!