5 healthy tricks for enjoying Halloween treats

Go Natural

Opt for natural or artisanal treats instead of mass marketed candy brands that are loaded with sugar, preservatives, artificial flavors and coloring, and hydrogenated oils that may contain unhealthy trans-fats. All-natural treats such as Justin’s Organic Nut Butter Cups and Cocomels Organic Caramels taste indulgent, but they are much kinder to your health.

Curb Sugar Cravings

Chase a serving of candy with a serving of a vegetable to keep sugar consumption in check. Added bonus: The fiber in vegetables helps soak up and eliminate some excess calories before the body can store them as fat.

Drink More Water

Many symptoms of dehydration are the same for hunger. Fill up on zero-calorie water throughout the day and you won’t be as tempted to overindulge on sugary treats.  Also, water helps flush out lingering toxins from a Halloween cocktail party.

Sugar Detox

Munching on fruits and vegetables will help cleanse your system after a candy binge.  Fresh, high-fiber produce such as apples, pears, and squash, are rich in antioxidants that help prevent inflammation caused by excessive sugar consumption.

Take a Walk

Eating a sugary treat causes blood sugar levels to quickly spike and crash, which can leave you feeling tired and cranky. Follow your Halloween indulgence with exercise like a brisk 15-minute walk, which helps stabilize sugar levels and re-balance energy-regulating hormones.

Tanya Zuckerbrot MS, RD, is a Registered Dietitian in New York City and the author of two bestselling diet books:   The F-Factor Diet and The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear – with Fiber.

Subscribe to Tanya’s FREE Weekly Newsletter and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. To learn more about Tanya’s private nutrition counseling services visit www.ffactor.com