10 Healthy Alternatives to Help Beat That Halloween Candy Urge

Halloween is the perfect time of year to let loose and live. From dressing up as whoever you want to be, to letting loose at those banging Halloween parties, it’s a great time to just have fun. Though with a lot of fun comes a lot of indulging, and you’re probably wondering what kind of overindulging Halloween can cause? Well, it’s simple really, … CANDY! This is the one “holiday” where it’s totally acceptable to eat candy for breakfast, lunch and dinner and no one looks at you sideways, and even though it seems cool to do and easy to fall victim to, we know for certain that it’s super unhealthy to consume candy in excessive quantities.

So the question is how? How do we find ways to enjoy the freedom Halloween brings without having to feel the regret the day after? Well, let’s talk about it.

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How to Avoid Overindulging on Unhealthy Sweets?

Unless you simply despise candy, it’s safe to say that at some point we have all fallen victim to eating two pieces too many. With the temptation every time you walk in a grocery store, the bowls of candy sitting at the office receptionist desk taunting you all day long, it’s hard to avoid the temptation of leaving the last piece as the last piece, but hard doesn’t mean it isn’t doable.

There are many ways to avoid the temptation of overindulging. One way is to first allow yourself a piece of candy. Many times we tend to overindulge because we are suppressing the urge of enjoying something altogether. It’s completely fine to have one or two pieces of chocolate. The issue arises when you beat yourself up over it. Instead of being disappointed that you had it, accept that you ate the candy and move on.

Another way to avoid overindulging is to say “no”. It’s okay to set boundaries with yourself. It’s also okay to talk yourself out of things that you don’t need. Though you may want to eat more, you know that you don’t need to. When you feel the urge to get another piece of candy, think of something else and keep doing that until you no longer think about it.

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10 Healthy Alternatives to Typical Halloween Candy

It’s easy to talk about avoiding urges but the fact of the matter is, it’s not always that simple. Look there’s no judgment here, and it’s understandable that sometimes, you just can’t fight that urge so here are some healthy alternatives when you feel the need to binge:

• 1. Dark Chocolate– Dark chocolate is a healthier alternative to regular and white chocolate. If you have the need to eat chocolate, look for candies that are made with dark chocolate instead.
• 2. Fruit– Snacking on fruit can fulfill your sweet tooth while also providing nutrients that candy does not.
• 3. Pretzels– Though they contain salt, pretzels can definitely be considered a healthier alternative to something like a Kit Kat.
• 4. Fruit snacks– Fruit snacks are a great, sweet way to indulge when you don’t want to overdo it.
• 5. Popcorn– Low-fat popcorns are great alternatives to sugary sweets.
• 6. Sorbets– Though ice cream isn’t necessarily a Halloween candy, it’s still a great way to help with that persistent sweet tooth.
• 7. Yogurt– Flavored yogurt or even plain yogurt is a great alternative. With this option, you can also add your favorite toppings *wink wink*
• 8. Juice– A nice swig of some good old organic fruit juice can definitely help fight the urge for something sweet.
• 9. Nutrition Bars– Not only do these help with cravings, some taste really good and include chocolate as well so you get the best of both worlds.
• 10. Water– Dehydration makes your glucose levels low, which causes your body to crave sugar. Increasing your water intake will lower your cravings for more candy.

It’s okay to indulge on a fun holiday like Halloween, but be mindful of how much indulging you do. Making healthier alternatives is always a good idea when you feel the need to want more. Not only do they help in the moment but they help over time as well, so go have fun and enjoy the day.

Happy Halloween friends!