How to Keep From Eating All the Halloween Candy

Tricks for Keeping the Treats Intact Before Halloween

Oct 19, 2009

Many people buy Halloween candy and end up eating it all before the holiday. Try these ideas for curbing cravings before the trick-or-treaters arrive.

The stores begin stocking bags of Halloween candy long before October 31. Many people purchase their treats before the holiday but begin to snack on them only to buy more candy for the holiday. Below are some ideas for helping to make Halloween less expensive, less fattening, and to encourage healthier habits.

Consider Buying Halloween Treats as Late as Possible or Foregoing Candy

People who wait to purchase Halloween candy on Halloween are more likely to get the treats in the trick-or-treaters bags than in the hands…and stomachs of the purchasers. Waiting until that evening to purchase candy may prove quite helpful. This might also prove helpful if the weather turns frightful on Halloween, which could drastically decrease the number of expected trick-or-treaters and resulting candy purchase.

Many kids cannot eat Halloween candy, so another option would be to buy another type treat for Halloween. Stickers, hand stamps, small books, school supplies, art supplies, toys, handmade cards or gifts, and many other options are out there. Readers who would like to learn more may wish to read the article about safe Halloween Treats for Children With Special Needs. Another idea would be to purchase Halloween treats that do not appeal to one's own tastes.

Find a Halloween Accountability Partner

People who are trying to lose weight or resist cravings may find it helpful to find someone who will hold them accountable. Having a Halloween “Jiminy Cricket” – someone who can remind a friend of their goals – may provide the help they need during times of weakness. The partnership can be a reciprocal relationship if both people struggle with an issue. Both people may find that they wish to continue the relationship for future goals such as during Thanksgiving or Christmas or other times when cravings arise.

If treats must be purchased before the end of October, consider a Halloween treat swap in which two or more people trade their candy to hold for the other(s). An accountability partner who lives nearby might be a natural choice. People who might eat their own stash of Halloween treats might be much less likely to dive into someone else’s Halloween goodies. Then the people participating in the swap can arrange a meeting on Halloween to get those sweets back intact and ready for a fun evening of treating the neighborhood kids.

Write About Halloween Eating Goals and Sign a Contract

When people write down goals and sign them, they are more likely to follow through with their plans. Write down a clear and specific goal of not eating the Halloween candy and sign it. Staple it to the candy bag or place it in some other prominent place.

Journaling may also help with cravings as well as many other mental health issues. By taking the time to write down thoughts when experiencing a craving, the body can begin to process these ideas differently. Rather than thinking about how many pieces of candy to eat, a person can begin to think about his or her feelings related to food, unmet needs, yo-yo dieting, and many other thoughts. By looking back at journal entries, the person might notice a pattern – a time of day or a particular trigger, for example, and begin to make positive changes to help prevent unhealthy patterns in the future.

Consider the Cost of Eating Halloween Candy Early

Sometimes the bottom line helps to stop behaviors. People who purchase Halloween candy early and then eat it may suffer many negative consequences, such as:

With each of those potential costs, a person could enjoy benefits of overcoming the candy cravings, such as:

These might be incorporated into the contract above as incentives to check off and enjoy throughout the Halloween season and then beginning again with other holiday seasons. This might be a great time to make healthy food choices, begin an exercise program or to learn more about yoga and other relaxation techniques. One success can lead to another.

Develop a Plan for Leftover Halloween Candy

Some people shut their doors and turn off the lights on Halloween evening because they simply run out of treats. This could be a good thing for people who tend to eat the leftover candy. However, if extra candy is left over, develop a plan for what to do with the treats, such as donating it to a group or organization with a set date to do so. Most people will find it most helpful to follow through with candy donations as soon after Halloween as possible.

Plan Ahead to Curb Halloween Candy Cravings Before They Start

Those who find candy in the house to be too much of a temptation may find these simple tricks helpful in achieving a candy-free pre-Halloween goal. People who ensure that their Halloween candy is not available until the holiday, hold themselves accountable, find an accountability partner, and consider negative effects of giving in to cravings may be more likely to follow through with a resolution to stay out of the Halloween treat bag and may find that benefits of healthy habits will continue to develop over time.

Readers are welcome to post their own experiences with Halloween candy cravings in the comment section below.

The copyright of the article How to Keep From Eating All the Halloween Candy in Weight Loss is owned by Katrena Wells. Permission to republish How to Keep From Eating All the Halloween Candy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.