I think I've mentioned once or twice that I've been trying to implement some major lifestyle changes -- so over the summer, I signed up with a weight loss clinic. Their program is working (I'll be posting some details about that soon) -- but that's not what this post is about.
This post is about the hyped up holiday that's occurring at the end of the month.
Don't get me wrong; I love Halloween. I love Halloween parties, which give you the opportunity to dress up and assume a character. And I love the scary, funny decorations -- although I still have a hard time getting used to this holiday rivaling Christmas in elaborate light shows. (And even exceeding it in some SoCal neighborhoods.)
I will be savoring our trick or treat excursion this year. After all, at 11 years old, I don't know how much longer I'll be able to do this with Megan. She is already acting like a little teenager, showing little interest in buying or creating a costume. ("I'm going to go as a gymnast," she announced. Of course, that's no costume - she IS a gymnast.)
I don't even mind the candy. Megan is always very good about limiting her intake (and this year, she'll have to do even more of that because of her new braces). I am not tempted by bags full of Three Musketeers and Hershey bars, as I long ago concluded that the only chocolate worth the calories was the deepest, darkest, quality stuff you get from companies like Scharffenberger.
But I can understand how Halloween can derail the most dedicated dieter -- so as a public service, I hereby offer words of advice from the weight loss clinic:
* Set a healthy example for the children, promote healthy habits and remove temptation for yourself by purchasing non-edible items instead ofcandy for the trick or treaters. Such as:
- Pencils
- Sugarless gum
- Party toys (puzzles, small balls, toy jewelry, etc.)
- Stickers
- Coins (nickels, dimes, quarters)
- Erasers
(Hmmm. It's a good idea, but probably more expensive than grabbing a big bag o'candy at Costco. And I'm afraid that if I handed a teenage trick or treater a pretty eraser instead of a Mars bar, I might be on the receiving end of a trick. So I don't think I'll be implementing this advice.)
* Keep candy out of sight, in an inconvenient place and "locked up." (I think most moms do this anyway, to keep it away from the kids. Or the dad.)
* Delegate someone else to purchase and pass out the candy.
* When your children bring their candy home after trick or treating, "trade" or "buy" it from them. Offer them a non-edible treat that they would like such as toys, a trip to Disneyland, a movie, or something else that is meaningful to them. Throw the candy away. (Disposing of something that is unhealthy and potentially harmful is not "wasting.") By doing this, your children will not be eating unhealthy things and the candy will not be around the house to tempt you! It's a win-win solution!
The sheet then goes off on alternate treats for the dieter and a plug for their own product line, which I won't bore you with -- but if you are likely to be tempted by your children's Halloween haul, it's not a bad idea to have some "safe" snacks on hand. I highly recommend Sorbee candy bars (available in most supermarkets) and Amber Lyn (order online here). These chocolates are sweetened with malitol and are marketed to diabetics and folks on low-carb diets; they are way lower in calories and less likely to mess up your diet plan -- and the dark chocolate ones aren't bad.
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