[thinthinker]

With Halloween just a couple of weeks away, I thought it would be a good idea to start posting some helpful hints on how to stay out of the candy bowl during this holiday where so much is available to us.

If you have a helpful hint, please post it here so that all can share in the good ideas.

I'll start this off by putting some nutrition information up on some of our favorites. This should be a rude awakening!!!

The following is for the "snack" size bars:
3 Musketeers, (2 bars) [140 cal/4.5 g fat/0 g fiber/26 g carbs]
1000 Grand, (2 bars) [190 cal/8 g fat/<1 g fiber/30 g carbs]
Atomic Fireballs, (1 piece) [40 cal/0 g fat/0 g fiber/9 g carbs]
Blow Pops, (1 piece) [70 cal/0 g fat/0 g fiber/17 g carbs]
Dum Dum Lollipops, (3 pops) [59 cal/0 g fat/0 g fiber]
Jolly Rancher Mini Stix, (1 stick) [35 cal/0 g fat/0 g fiber/9 g carbs]
Kit Kat, (one 2-piece bar) [80 cal/4 g fat/0 g fiber/10 g carbs]
Life Saver Five Flavor Candy, (4 pieces) [60 cal/0 g fat/0 g fiber/16 g carbs]
Life Saver Gummi Savers, (2 rolls) [110 cal/0 g fat/0 g fiber/27 g carbs]
Life Saver Pops, (1 pop) [40 cal/0 g fat/0 g fiber/10 g carbs]
Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses, (6 pieces) [150 cal/3 g fat/0 g fiber/33 g carbs]
Milk Duds, (4 boxes) [160 cal/6 g fat/0 g fiber/26 g carbs]
Necco Wafers, (1 roll) [50 cal/0 g fat/0 g fiber/13 g carbs]
Nerds, (1 box) [35 cal/0 g fat/0 g fiber/9 g carbs]
Nestle Crunch Fun Size, (4 bars) [200 cal/10 g fat/<1 g fiber/26 g carbs]
Now & Later, (3 mini bars) [140 cal/1.5 g fat/0 g fiber/34 g carbs]
Reese's Peanut Butter Bites, (3 pkgs) [230 cal/13 g fat/1 g fiber/24 g carbs]
Skittles, (3 pkgs) [170 cal/2.5 g fat/0 g fiber/36 g carbs]
Spree Twist, (2 rolls) [60 cal/0 g fat/0 g fiber/14 g carbs]
Starburst, (3 funsize pkgs) [170 cal/2.5 g fat/0 g fiber/36 g carbs]
Starburst Fruit Chews, (8 chews) [160 cal/3.5 g fat/0 g fiber/33 g carbs]
Sugar Babies, (2 pouches) [210 cal/2 g fat/0 g fiber/47 g carbs]
Sugar Daddy Pops, (3 pops) [160 cal/2 g fat/0 g fiber/34 g carbs]
Sweet Tarts, (2 rolls) [50 cal/0 g fat/0 g fiber/12 g carbs]
Tootsie Roll Midgees, (6 pieces) [160 cal/3 g fat/<1 g fiber/33 g carbs]
Twix, Regular Size, (1 2-pack) [280 cal/14 g fat/1 g fiber/37 g carbs]
Twizzlers Pull-n-Peel Cherry Candy, (3 pieces) [120 cal/.5 g fat/0 g fiber/28 g carbs]
Twizzlers Strawberry Twists, 4 twists [120 cal/.5 g fat/0 g fiber/29 g carbs]
Wrigley's Chewing Gum, (5 pieces) [50 cal/0 g fat/0 g fiber/10 g carbs]

[voodoo1]

Hello, in the UK ;where I live; it's not so big or celebrated so much BUT we do buy treats for children who call. I try to buy things I DON'T LIKE, jelly spiders etc. Failing that get a family member to hide them, maybe out in the garage or garden shed if you have them, and in a sealed box; mice love chocolate & sweets! OR buy or borrow a lockable box and give the key to a family member, neighbour or friend to save until the treats are needed. An unopened packet is easier to resist than an open one, so delay opening packets til the first 'visitors' arrive, then put them in a bowl AWAY from your sight & reach!! These work for me, hope they help you resist temptation!
xxxsharon

[kayleystar]

Thankfully, I don't have a sweet tooth (somehow!), so this isn't a problem with me...whew!

[VioletSwerve]

I suggest not buying the candy until the DAY of, if possible. I know Halloween candy can be expensive so it IS better to buy it when it is on sale, but sometimes of you wait until the day of it will be on sale anyway because stores want to get rid of it. Just my idea!!

Or you could always give out apples or oranges to the kids!! The kids might not like it but thier parents will!

[Lilion]

Love the fruit idea, but around here I know none would be eaten, parents would throw it out like any unwrapped or homemade treats. Too many weirdo's out there. Sad, huh?

You can, however, give some other types of things. The stores sell noisemakers and necklaces and stuff like that. If you don't have too many trick-or-treaters that is an option.

What I try to do though is buy stuff I don't like. Really, to me candy isn't worth eating unless it's chocolate - so kiddies get jolly rancher's and suckers at our house usually.

[skibbles]

I buy candy the day of Halloween and whatever is left over on Nov. 1st I put it in a ziploc bag and send it to work with my husband-his co-workers need it more than I do!

[Misti in Seattle]

The best solution is to just keep your hands out of it. And remember... don't eat it unless you want to wear it.

[Nightkatt]

Fortunately in NZ we dont really celebrate it .. not in a big way .. some of the cities do have events for them. But I always have something in case they do come by .. when we had the shop there was a bowl of wrapped sweets (not ones I liked fortunately lol) on the counter .. but for the trick or treaters I would get treat bags made up and SEALED lol .. that way when they came to the door I would give them a bag each and I made sure to make up the bags with someone else round so I wouldnt nick off with any (everyone around me nicked them instead rofl).

Good luck for halloween everyone

[Vilandra485]

This may sound silly...but for those of you who buy early and might even have a family member open a bag early to munch on, what about writing yourself a note and leaving it with the candy. Knowing that deep down you don't want to eat it will give you time to reflect and resist instead of just grabbing the bag and going to town on it! Since chocolate bars are something I've 100% banned from the start seeing all those mini bags (on sale to boot!) down multiple aisles in the store is driving me -y!! LOL!! But it was a choice I made and I will not give in!

Melissa

[thinthinker]

Lots of GREAT ideas, ladies!

How about committing to doing 10 or 15 minutes of some exercise for each piece you might snitch?
That way at least you're working it off.

[toofatforu]

i buy candy i dont really like... no candy bars for me this year lol!

[Misti in Seattle]

Originally Posted by thinthinker

How about committing to doing 10 or 15 minutes of some exercise for each piece you might snitch?
That way at least you're working it off.

Now THERE you go! Great idea.

[lilybelle]

The kids that come to my house all get a new "happy halloween logo" toothbrush. I order them ahead of time through my dentists office. The kids probably aren't that fond of it, but the parents love it and I see the same kids back each yr.

[thinthinker]

Keep yourself busy getting your house ready for the trick or treaters; they will love it and you'll have fun doing it plus you are 'moving.'

Make sure you get your sleep and keep your stress level low; exhaustion and being stressed are sure ways to overeat.

If you are going to be giving out candy, buy it on Halloween day if possible.

Keep a bowl of popcorn and platter of veggies within reach when handing out candy.

Buy Halloween candy that you don't like.

Take leftover candy to a shelter.

Drink lots of water; in fact, always have water close by.

Eat before your Halloween party; that puts you in control of your food.

Volunteer at Halloween parties to greet guests and make them feel welcome; keeps you busy so eating is not your #1 priority.

Take a veggie plate so you'll have some healthy munchies.

Don't be afraid to say 'no' when offered treats; grab your water and remember how good it feels to be in control.

Make your own costume if you are going to a costume party.

Anyone else have something to add?