3 simple tips for walking right by the Halloween candy

This coming Wednesday is Halloween.

When the kids were younger, I loved getting them dressed up and walking door-to-door, seeing all the neighbors out and about.

And of course, I loved those mini chocolate bars… especially the O-Henry’s.

But I didn’t have to wait for Halloween night to enjoy them.

Because Halloween starts around the beginning of September, just as the kids are getting back to school and summer is fading.

That’s when boxes and bags of mini chocolate bars, lollipops, caramels, chips, and chewy become prominently displayed in the local Walmart, Cosco, and grocery stores.

Because the candy makers know, and the stores know, that you and me, we don’t just buy this stuff for the kids.

We buy it for ourselves.

(And maybe you’ve noticed too, that these mini treats are actually being sold more discreetly all year long.)

Personally, I would buy a box containing all my favorite chocolate bars well in advance of Halloween and hide them (from my kids), knowing full well I’d have to buy another (and maybe another) before the big day.

Mini candy is big business.

So,  how can you resist these displays of boxes of tempting chocolate, chips, and candy?

Here are 3 simple ideas I use to help me walk right on by:

1. Expect it before you walk in

Before you even head out to the store, and especially before setting foot inside, take a moment to pause and know that there will be candy staring you in the face when you walk in.

Try imagining yourself feeling strong and confident as you stroll right past the displays with your shopping cart.

You’re not a woman who will fall for colorful packaging and the all-too-easy sugar hit that’s sure to derail your plans for getting healthier.

Right?

2. Make a list, and stick to it

If you’re not in the habit of making a shopping list, I strongly suggest starting one.

Making a list can help you avoid so many pitfalls when you get to the store, especially this one.

And if you think that passing up the candy will make you feel deprived, then plan on picking up a 75% cocoa chocolate bar, or the simple ingredients to make an easy (and relatively healthy) berry crumble using a bag of frozen berries.

Choose your treat before it chooses you.

3. Don’t buy candy until Halloween day… or at all

Your argument for this one may be “But there won’t be any left!”

And I may have gone along with that one once upon a time, but I know from experience that there’s always some sort of candy left on Halloween day.

It may not be the candy you wanted – not your favorite candy – but that’s even better!

Now, if you’re truly worried there won’t be any left, then have a friend buy some in advance and keep it at her house until the day of.

If none of this works for you, then there’s one more thing I want you to contemplate:

You’re being being taken advantage of.

It sounds kind of political, and I guess it is.

But I really hate knowing that my primitive brain is knowingly being taken advantage of by flashy advertising and ingredients that are purposely addictive.

It gets me fired up enough not to want to contribute my good money towards supporting them.

I feel that if I don’t buy candy before Halloween, at least I’m taking a stand for myself and my family.

And maybe if I don’t buy the candy at all, I’m taking a stand for my community.

So, I’ve decided I’m going to try giving out something besides candy this year.

Maybe some fun pencils or crayons, super balls, stickers, small flash lights…  I found some great ideas on the Wellness Mama website.

I think it’s time for a change.

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Finally, if you’ve got kids and there’s candy from trick-or-treating hanging around then I’ve got a suggestion.

Throw out any candy that no one likes right away.   Then separate and count with the kids all the chocolate bars, chips, lollipops and other candy.

If there are 20 chocolate bars, for example, write “20” on a piece of paper, and place that paper in the bag with the chocolate bars.

Each time your child has one, they’ve got to count what’s left.

This serves a dual purpose:  It helps them with math, but it also helps ensure that you’re not sneaking candy when they’re not looking.

And of course, you can place a limit of how many they can have each day (great for teaching subtraction).

The ideas are out there, just pick what works for you.

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So, what are your thoughts about Halloween candy?  Do you have any creative ideas on how to limit or avoid it altogether?

Leave your ideas in the comments, I’d love to hear them!

Keep moving forward my friend,

Debbie