The US Census actually compiles statistics on our Halloween celebrations. Did you know that? According to their latest survey, the average American ate almost 25 pounds of candy last year! Halloween ranks as the highest sales month for candy, so I can only imagine what portion of that amount is eaten around this time of the year alone! Jeez!

Enjoying candy in moderation isn’t a bad thing, and in fact having some, instead of vowing not to touch anyof it, might actually help you keep your sanity this season! Go ahead and enjoy a serving or two of the stuff you like. Abstaining completely is unrealistic, unless you just don’t like candy.

Now, I don’t have kids, and I work in a relatively healthy environment that doesn’t keep candy bowls around. It isn’t likely that I’ll have obscene amounts of candy around all day every day, or that I’ll have to buy candy, or sort through trick-or-treat loot next month. But for those of you who do, here are a few tips to help you stay healthy through the madness!

At home:

• If you tend to eat “whatever’s around” and have to buy candy for a party or for the trick-or-treaters, wait until the last possible minute, OR buy them and store them unopened where you can’t see them all the time. Out of sight, out of mouth, in this case!

• On that note, if you are buying candy for trick-or-treaters, get stuff you don’t like. I guarantee you, there are few sweets I don’t like, and at Halloween, the siren song of the candy corn calls me. I won’t buy those to keep around the house. But there’s always that one or two I can’t stand – Red Hots, Mike & Ike, … Someone is bound to like them. Whatever your unfavorites are, get those.

• Don’t keep any leftovers after the last trick-or-treater has come and gone. Throw it out, and don’t feel guilty about it. And do the kids a favor and don’t start handing out double and triple handfuls just to get rid of it. They surely don’t need the extra.

• Or skip candy altogether. You can get some cool toys for party grab bags at the dollar store or even in the “dollar” section at Target (right by the entrance, usually). Or cool, colored gel pens, hair accessories for the girls, puzzle books… you never know what you’re going to find in this category. And it’s a nice change that most parents will probably appreciate anyway!

• If you have kids, go through their goodie bags and only keep a part of it. Maybe their favorites, and only a few pieces of each… Don’t use phrases like, “this will make you fat” or “this is bad for you” and emphasize that they are “treats” they will enjoy on occasion over the next few weeks.

At the office:

• There’s always someone at the office that loves to bake, or loves to bring in treats. If you find that the Halloween celebration seems to be going on 24×7 at your job, think about what you’ll do so you don’t end up eating a bunch of junk for a whole month. For me, if someone brings in candy I can get any old time, I’ll just skip it. But if they bring in a home-made goodie, I will definitely sample some! For the most part, though, I’ll stick to my usual meals and snacks that I prepare at home.

• If you find that it’s out of control with all the extra goodies around the office this month, just bring in your own healthier alternative to share with everyone! Others may appreciate your taste for healthful living, too!
  

I also really like Hungry Girl’s suggestion on her “Halloween Survival Guide” – she has some suggestions along the lines of what I just wrote, as well as information about specific candies and treats. She also offers this fun tidbit:

“Door-to-Door Workout - Take advantage of the celebration by squeezing in some exercise! Join your kids, siblings, nieces, nephews, or neighbors on a lengthy trick-or-treat walk around the neighborhood. Set up a friendly calorie-burning challenge by splitting up into groups (with at least 1 adult per group) and having a contest to see who can hit up the most houses in the shortest amount of time. That’ll up the intensity of your trick-or-treat-athon. “

Her whole guide is here:
http://food.yahoo.com/blog/hungrygirl/13697/hungry-girl-s-halloween-survival-guide/

If you’re a mom, here’s some good information to help you with your kids’ trick-or-treat loots, from the Children With Diabetes website:

http://childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_0n_c00.htm

http://www.diabetic-lifestyle.com/articles/oct00_fkids_1.htm

Whatever you do, have fun! Fun is an integral part of healthy living!