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Nutrition Articles  ›  Seasonal & Holiday Tips

10 Tricks to Avoid the Halloween Treats

How to Enjoy the Holiday without Overindulging in Sweets

-- By Sarah Haan, Registered Dietitian
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Children aren't the only ones getting all dressed up for Halloween. Your favorite candies and cookies are also donning orange and black wrappers and jack-o-lantern frosted faces. And they don’t wait for you to find them! These seasonal favors hit the shelves just weeks after Labor Day and will stick around well after October 31.

Sometimes it seems like every store and desktop candy dish is taunting you to take a bite or buy a whole package of sugary snacks! What's a healthy eater to do? Use these tricks to help you make it through several weeks' worth of taunts without guilt.  Continued ›
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About The Author

Sarah Haan Sarah Haan
Sarah is a registered dietitian with a bachelor's degree in dietetics. She helps individuals adopt healthy lifestyles and manage their weight. An avid exerciser and cook, Sarah likes to run, lift weights and eat good food. See all of Sarah's articles.

Member Comments

  • LIVE2EAT2LIVE
    Thank you so much for this article!!!!! I read it yesterday (Halloween) and actually went trick or treating with friends and their little ones without eating or taking home any candy! I was so proud of how I got through the day, and it was thanks to the ideas in my head from this article. - 11/1/2012 5:36:34 PM
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  • LADYCJM
    OMG I just went in and added up the weight of the bags....18.5#s!!!
    !!!!!!!!!!!!!
    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 10/31/2012 10:15:18 PM
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  • LADYCJM
    Good tips, should have had my skinny hubby read the article before he went out today and bought one of every kind of 3 pound assorted bags of candy that he could find! And we will probably only have 50 or so trick or treaters.

    Oh, and he doesn't eat sweets.
    4 tootsie rolls and counting...300 cals left for the day, sigh - 10/31/2012 9:55:46 PM
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  • MSMOSTIMPROVED
    I've eaten my 2 packs of Smarties-- off to brush my teeth and go to bed before I do any real damage. - 10/31/2012 8:36:17 PM
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  • AUGGIE1DOGGIE
    I'm proud of myself this year. I bought one bag and I didn't buy a bunch to take into work. I hope to have a few ghosts and goblins but sadly I rarely have any. - 10/31/2012 3:59:36 PM
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  • TUPPERMOM1
    I live on a street popular for trick or treaters... I follow rule 3, buying lots of candy I don't like! - 10/31/2012 10:21:00 AM
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  • 1LADYMYSTIC
    Love the tips, especially #9, which I can apply to any situation all yea round! - 10/31/2012 9:18:27 AM
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  • SMALLERPORTION
    I love the list of tricks to avoid.... I really like the one about staying focused on your goals and that is what I am trying to do. Happy Halloween Everyone!!! - 10/31/2012 8:44:57 AM
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  • H20-LADY
    As long as the candy or cookie bag is sealed I wont open it. I wont give in, however once I open it, all goo willpower is shot. This year, the last tricker will receive all the candy that remians in the bowl.. MY Treat to myself - 10/28/2012 12:26:55 PM
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  • ELAINEROSE5
    I ask my daughter to hide the candy from me. Out of sight, out of mind. That's my best defense! - 10/25/2011 10:10:05 AM
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  • CIRANDELLA
    The knotted-bag and "unfavorite" candy hints are as foolproof as they are clever! Thanks, Sarah :) - 10/25/2011 8:49:17 AM
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  • KATHIE_B
    Excellent advice. We live way out in the country so we don't get to see the little trick or treaters but there's candy dishes in the stores, at work, etc. so I will use a lot of these tips. - 10/25/2011 7:55:11 AM
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  • KATHYMCW1
    Tough, Tough time of year - with no children at home now, I usually buy what I don't like and that's the best way for me to avoid the temptation. - 10/25/2011 7:38:57 AM
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  • SM-ARTGIRL
    Excellent list- especially "you can get this candy anytime!" reminder! - 10/25/2011 1:01:57 AM
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  • TIMOTHYNOHE
    Last year I got Sacagewea Dollar coins to hand out. This year microwave popcorn ... when Trick or Treat is over I can use it "guilt-free." No candy at my house. - 10/10/2011 9:43:18 PM
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