It’s fall! The leaves are turning, the air is brisk, and the evenings are getting longer. This time of year is beautiful, but it also reminds us that Holidays are coming. While I love the Holidays, they do bring many temptations. Halloween brings candy temptations, Thanksgiving brings the temptation to overeat on unhealthy meal options, and Christmas brings both overeating and sweets.    All of these holidays can be fun, memorable, and guilt-free, but should also be thought through and managed so that one can stay healthy. While this being the first of three food-enticing months, here are some helpful tips to keep you on track this Halloween.

12 Steps to Avoid Halloween Temptations

1. Buy candy you don’t like.
2. Hand out healthy alternatives such as individual snack bags of Skinny Pop Popcorn, Yum Earth Fruit snacks, or raisins.
3. For the days leading up to Halloween, hide the candy or treats you plan to hand out. (Out of sight, out of mind.)
4. Offer creative alternatives to candy such as crayons, glow in the dark necklaces, tattoos, or stickers (all available in bulk from the Oriental Trading Company or Amazon)
5. Avoid walking down the Halloween candy isle during regular shopping trips to prevent buying candy you don’t need.
6. Prepare a filling healthy meal before you head out for trick or treating so you aren’t tempted to indulge due to hunger pains.
7. Read labels of candy so you know why you shouldn’t eat them.
8. If you can’t stop at just one piece, don’t start eating candy.
9. Set limits on the amount of time you are out trick or treating so you don’t come home with excessive amounts of candy.
10. Look online for activities using candy (experiments and crafts) so that candy can be used for fun holiday memories vs. consumption.
11. After a couple weeks, toss out or donate the extra candy.
12. If you mess up, start over fresh the next day—don’t throw in the towel.