Surviving the Halloween Candy Bowl
Halloween is right around the corner and inevitably there is a plethora of candy at your house, work place, and/or school. Many of my patients find candy challenging for many different reasons. Below are my 5 pointers for surviving the Halloween candy bowl.
5 Pointers for Surviving the Halloween Candy Bowl
1. Give yourself permission to eat the Halloween candy
Eating candy is not a moral dilemma, you are not good or bad for eating candy. Allow yourself to enjoy a couple pieces here and there. When we place foods off limits we are more likely to grave those foods and then over eat those foods.
2. Eat a couple pieces as a part of your meal, for example packing a couple pieces with your lunch
Since a lot of candy is mainly carbohydrate (think quick energy), eating it with your meal will create more satisfaction. Your meal includes protein and dietary fat, which will allow the carbohydrate to absorb more slowly in your system. This also helps with #1, permission to eat candy.
3. Combine sweet candy (Starbursts, Skittles, Laffy Taffy, etc.) with chocolate and/or nut filled candy (Snickers, Reeses, Peanut M&Ms, etc.)
Since the sweet candy is mainly carbohydrate, combining it with chocolate or nut filled candy that has more protein or dietary fat will create a more satisfying combination of macronutrients. This will allow for a more satisfying snack.
4. Ask yourself, "Am I Hungry?" before deciding to grab a piece
Candy can definitely be a part of your meal or eaten as a snack. Issues arise when we eating ANYTHING when we are not hungry. Check in with yourself each time you go to eat anything.
5. Eat mindfully
Instead of popping piece after piece, try to pick a couple pieces, sit down at the table, and savor what you are eating. This will increase your satisfaction with less quantity.
Surviving The Halloween Candy Bowl
I hope these pointers help with surviving the Halloween candy bowl. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with a Registered Dietitian to discuss emotional, compulsive, and/or binge eating, please visit my contact page or email me directly at caseybonano@gmail.com. #dallasnutritionalcounseling
Surviving The Halloween Candy Bowl - Food For Thought - Dallas Nutritional Counseling #caseybonanoRD #dallasnutritionalcounseling #dallasdietitian #DFWRD #halloween #survivingthecandybowl #intuitiveeating #nondietnutrition #carbfatpro
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