Halloween revolves around eating copious amounts of sugar, so it’s no surprise people who join Code Red are often uneasy about it their first Halloween as a Code Red Rebel.
Personally, I cannot stand Halloween. I don’t like the monsters or anything it stands for, and of course I don’t like that it’s just another excuse to gorge on sugar.
If you wanna celebrate it, that’s your call, but understand that if you’re a Code Red Rebel, I expect you to stay on plan.
I also know you may not trust your willpower yet. I get that. So to help you set yourself up for success, I’ve got a few tips for you.
First, when it comes to handing out candy to trick or treaters, who says you have to? There’s TONS of other stuff you can give out, including: Play-Dough, stickers, toys from a dollar store (there’s a huge variety of inexpensive, fun toys you can over).
Seriously, go to the toys section and look at what’s available. A little imagination and you’ll find something fun that’s not food.
If you choose food, go with something like jerky. Small bags of nuts are a good option, except for the fact more and more people are allergic to peanuts. So have an option like jerky for the kids who are allergic.
When it comes to your own kids and their candy, remember, you’re the parent! If you don’t want all that candy tempting you, offer to buy it from them for cash, then get rid of it. Let them pick out a few pieces to eat, buy the rest, and throw it out.
They get the Trick or Treat experience, and you get the junk food out of your house (which is one of the top rules for getting and keeping your weight off).
If you end up at a Halloween party (nothing says you “have” to go!), use my party survival tips to stay on track. Eat before you go, stay away from the food table, use a small plate if you do eat, drink water, chew gum, wear something tight.
Since it’s a Halloween party, dress up as a vampire and wear vampire fangs. Those will make it difficult to eat!
If you host a Halloween party, serve Code Red-approved foods, or at least make healthier alternatives.
If you absolutely insist on baking, wear teeth whitening products or chew gum.
If you end up hosting some kind of gathering where sugary foods and baked goods will be present, then when the party’s over, get the junk food out of the house. Send it home with your guests or throw it out. Offer it to your neighbors.
Just get it out of the house. You don’t need it floating around tempting you.
Halloween comes once a year. You can and will come out the other side without getting off track, if you DECIDE that’s the way it’s gonna be.
Put some other measures in place, like what I’ve outlined here, to set yourself up for success. It’s totally fine to do that vs. rely solely on willpower.
The more times you successfully stay on track, the more confident you become in your ability to do so. You can do it!