A Scaled-Down Halloween

Fall feels like an obstacle course for those watching their weight. First hurdle:  Halloween! Did you know that Americans purchase an estimated 600 million pounds of candy a year for Halloween???

So, whether you're still buying treats to hand out or sneaking a piece from your child's stash, here are some potential damage control tips.

Test your knowledge with Delish's Halloween Candy Calorie Quiz or Real Simple's Which Halloween Candy is Healthier? to compare different candies. Or, check out Yahoo! Shine's The 10 Worst Halloween Candies for Kids.


Looking for some healthier alternatives that won't get your house egged?
Try TLC's 5 Halloween Candy Alternatives or WebMD's Halloween Candy: Lower-Calorie Treats Make the Holiday Less Scary (which also offers tips to help balance the extra calories).


Wondering why you feel so weak & tortured around sweets?
US News & Report's How to Handle Halloween Candy Cravings to understand why we crave sugar & strategies to get through it.


Quick Reference Tips
- Only eat the candy that you really enjoy.
- Pay attention to portion control. Even small pieces can quickly add calories when eaten throughout the day.
- To help balance the extra calories, add in some extra physical activity or trim other calories from your diet.
- Out of sight, out of mind. Put the candy away or somewhere difficult to get to.