The first of our Holidays will be here next Monday as the ghosts and goblins will be ringing our doorbells. I hate to keep repeating myself, but it’s the start of the typical 7 to 9 pound weight gain many of us experience at the end of the year. Doesn’t have to be though. Here are some tips from several Dietitians to help you have a healthier Halloween.
Halloween Candy Tips
- Always choose “fun size” candy bars based on the least amount of fat and calories per serving. Better choices are, 3 Musketeers, 100 Grand Bar, Butterfinger bar, Milky Way bar, Raisinets, Starburst and York Peppermint Patties.
- Choose healthier dark chocolate versions.
- Practice portion control!
- Be aware of calories (is your favorite listed?):
Miniature Bars (Milky Way, Snickers, Twix, 3 Muskateers) – average 38 calories each bar
M&Ms, plain, Fun size (18 g) – 88 calories
M&Ms, peanut Fun size (18 g) – 93 calories
Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars – Fun size (14 g) – 67 calories
Mr. Goodbar Snack size (17 g) – 90 calories
Nestle’s Crunch Bars Fun size (10 g) 50 calories
Three Musketeers Bar Fun size (15g) – 64 calories
Pay Day – Snack size (19 g) – 90 calories
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Snack size (17 g) – 88 calories
Almond Joy Snack size (15 g) – 80 calories and 10g carb
Baby Ruth Bar, Fun size (18 g each) – 85 calories
Butterfinger Bar, Fun size (18 g each) – 85 calories
Heath Bar, Snack size (13 g) – 74 calories
Kit Kat, Fun size (14 g) – 73 calories
Milky Way bar, Fun size (17 g) – 75 calories
Mounds bars, Snack size (17 g) – 83 calories
Snickers Bars, Fun size (17 g) – 80 calories
Milk Duds Snack size (12 g) – 54 calories
Charleston Chew bar, Fun size (10 g) – 45 calories
Lifesavers Gummies (2 rolls per ounce) – 52 calories
Starburst, Fun size (2 pieces per stick) – 40 calories
Blow Pop, Junior – 50 calories
Tootsie Pops – 60 calories
Skittles Original Fruit, Fun size (20 g) – 80 calories
Candy Corn, Brach’s – 11 pieces – 70 calories
Raisinettes, Fun size (16 g – about 16 pieces) – 56 calories
York Peppermint Patties Regular small patty (14 g) – 53 calories
Jr. Mints, Fun size (10 g) – 50 calories
Smarties Candy, Roll – 25 calories
Twix, Snack size (10 g) – 50 calories
Here are some ideas for Halloween candy leftovers:
- Take the leftover candy to your work to share in the break room.
- Most candy has a long shelf-life. Put the “stash” out of reach and limit candy to two pieces per day.
- Larger treats, such as full chocolate bars, can be cut into smaller pieces and frozen.
- Use the candy at Christmas time for a gingerbread house.
- Donate it to a local shelter.
- Send it to the troops.
- Donate it to the school for an arts and crafts project.
- Throw it away.
- Skip the Halloween candy sale on November 1st. Cheap bags of candy may seem like a good buy, but you don’t need the extra sugar and calories.
Make Halloween A Time To Be Active
Halloween is not just about the treats! Halloween is a great time to enjoy being active. The cool weather that comes along with the fall season is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors as a family.
- Take advantage of the beautiful foliage and collect orange, red and yellow leaves. Make a decorate wreath or paste leaves on construction paper to decorate the house.
- During October visit a local pumpkin patch and pick your own pumpkins and gourds. Many pumpkin patch locations have other activities such as corn mazes, haunted houses, and hay rides. Pack up some sandwiches and spend the day!
- Enjoy walking instead of driving to nearby stores to shop for Halloween costumes.
- Join your kids/grandkids and enjoy walking through the neighborhood or malls to look at Halloween decorations
FREE Healthy Cooking Workshop – Friday, November 18th @ 12 noon. Keep the date. Details next week
Tags: activity, body weight, calories, candy, exercise, High Point, holiday, Holiday tips, weight loss
