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Halloween Survival Guide: Weed Out Bad Candy

FitSugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:15:00 -0700

When you are going through your child's candy bag tonight looking for the open packages, homemade foods, and razor blades in apples, I suggest also screening for unhealthy ingredients. Look for and toss out candies that contain hydrogenated oils and trans fat!

Unfortunately, many popular candies contain trans fats. Here's a short list:

Skittles
Tootsie Rolls
Three Musketeers
Twix
Snickers
Milky Way

Don't worry that after screening for trans fats that your child will be as completely treat-less as the children in the photo. There are plenty of treats out there that don't contain these fats. For help in this matter check out this candy breakdown.

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Trick or Treat for Your Teeth

FitSugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:30:00 -0700

When it comes to Halloween, almost all of us are going to end up eating candy. That is just how the cookie crumbles. I've tried to let you guys know which candies are loaded with calories, but have you ever thought about which candies are the worst for your teeth? Take this short quiz (one question) to see if you get tricked on which treat does the least amount of damage to your teeth.

Halloween Survival Guide: Fair Trade Chocolate

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:30:00 -0700

My house is a flutter with Halloween only a day a way! We had a costume check (just need to find a tail for my little kitty), and we rehearsed saying "Trick or Treat." Since the big day is tomorrow, I feel I know I can handle the temptation of having little bits of chocolate in my house. It is just one night.

When I told my four year old I wanted to hand out tattoos, she told me that we needed to hand out chocolate. I am thankful that I can find good quality chocolate that is not haunted by unfair trading practices. Three of my favorite fair trade chocolate makers make “fun size” bars - perfect for Halloween treats. Dagoba, Endangered Species Chocolate and Equal Exchange all use ethically traded cocoa to make their delicious chocolate. This Halloween these chocolate makers have small bars to hand out to the small ones in costume.

Look for these chocolates at your local health food store, Whole Foods or alternative pharmacy.

Halloween Survival: Non-Candy Treats

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:15:00 -0700

"What are you going to be for Halloween?" I think my girls have been asked this question at least five times daily for the last two weeks. This question troubles me for two reasons. First, both my daughters answer the question differently each time they are asked – how is a mom supposed to plan? Secondly, I want to ask the inquisitor what they are handing out for Halloween. I always hope it is a non-candy treat since the daily "one treat per day" power struggle with two small girls is quite taxing. Plus, I am seriously tempted to help them eat all those fun sized chocolates!

With this in mind, I have come up with a list of non-candy treats to help us all survive this candy-laden holiday.

Glow stick bracelets: Not just for raves anymore, the under 12 set is hip to joy of glow sticks. Help keep those little trick-or-treaters visible on a dark night and encourage them to add their glow bracelet to their costume right away.
Super balls: Talk about well-rounded fun! Chasing these small bouncy balls around can provide an energy outlet for children on a sugar high.
Temporary Tattoos: Give the treat that keeps on giving. Applying fake tattoos is a fun activity, and the little ones get to show off their ink later.

I have a couple more ideas so just

Halloween Survival Guide: Candy Breakdown

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

I have a love-hate relationship with Halloween. I love going pumpkin picking, making jack-o-lanterns, roasting pumpkin seeds, and creating costumes. Oh, who am I kidding? I also love the candy, the bags of tiny bite-sized servings are my weakness. To keep my candy intake in check, I buy my candy a few days before Halloween and buy the candy I don't like.

How bad are these tasty little morsels, really? A few bites can't hurt, right? To see how many calories haunt your favorite Halloween candy,

Halloween Survival: Hand Out Candy You Don't Like

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Every Halloween of my youth, we handed out the same candy: Smarties and Starbursts. While I have a huge affection for these two types of sweet treats, my mother can't stand them. They created no temptation for her what-so-ever, unlike say her favorite Snickers bar. So follow this age old advice: Hand out candy you don't like. Don't bring the temptations into your home where they can taunt you.

I know it seems sacrilege, but candy that tempts me the least is the Halloween favorite – candy corn. Tell me yours in the comment section below.

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Halloween Survival: Don't Buy Your Candy Yet

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

I did it. I couldn't resist. The bags of candy were two for $5.00, so I thought I'd stock up for Halloween early, you know, for the trick-or-treaters. Bad mistake. I've already opened one bag just to have one taste after dinner, and now they're in the pantry calling my name after every meal. It is a slippery slope.

Seriously ladies, do yourselves a huge favor. I know there are tons of bags of candy at the grocery store and just about everywhere you look are signs of Halloween, but don't fall for it. The candy is for the kids who come a-knockin at your door, so if you buy it and eat it all, your body will feel crappy from downing all that sugar and you'll feel bad that you have none to give away.

So take my advice. Learn from my mistake. Wait to buy your candy until a few days before Halloween. We all know that holidays are the toughest time to stick to our healthy eating plan, so don't start earlier than you need to.

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