Welcome to “sugar season”!!
Sugar is everywhere year round; but between Halloween and New Year’s, avoiding the sweet stuff is nearly impossible.
If you have a well-developed sweet tooth like me, it’s time to prepare yourself for the temptations of the season…without going so far that you can’t have a little fun.
Here are some of my personal secret weapons for indulging in my favorite holiday treats without ending up in a sugar coma.
- Stock up on naturally sweet treats at home. If you work these snacks into your day, you may find that your hankering for sugar at that party later are a little more manageable. My favorites are dates with almond butter (the protein will stabilize your blood sugar), honey or maple syrup mixed with almond or cashew butter and smeared on a rice cake, dark chocolate (70% cocoa content or above), and herbal tea with honey (especially for after dinner sweet cravings).
- Eat lots of sweet fall veggies. Sugar season is a challenge; but it’s also a great time for eating naturally sweet foods. Winter squash like acorn, delicata, and butternut are at their peak and are super sweet on their own. Naturally sweet root veggies like beets and carrots are also plentiful…not to mention one of my favorites, sweet potatoes. Just like the naturally sweet snacks, eating more of these vegetables will reduce your cravings for the more damaging – and addictive – refined sweet stuff like candy.
- Get some sleep. It’s tough at this busy time of year, I know…but I’m more convinced than ever that sleep is the key to ditching most of our self-destructive health habits, especially sugar addiction. Lack of it makes us hungrier than usual, weakens our resolve, and causes us to crave high sugar, high fat goodies. (For more on the science behind the effects of sleep deprivation, check out Why sleep may be the missing piece to your weight loss puzzle.) Just get some sleep…please? 🙂
- Make nourishing meals a priority. When sugary temptations are all around you, it’s more important than ever to plan your meals and make sure you’re managing your blood sugar throughout the day. Eat breakfast. Get enough protein. Don’t skip lunch. Have little snacks like nuts and whole fruit if you need them. If sugar cravings are your downfall, now is NOT the time to skimp on nutrition!
Do these four things and you’ll be in better shape the next time someone shoves a candy bowl in your face.
Grab your favorite piece of candy. Enjoy…and celebrate your ability to walk away from the rest. (Maybe not EVERY time…but more often than you might think.)
Because a little indulgence never hurt anyone. 🙂
Happy, Happy Halloween!
P.S. Keep your eyes on your email this Friday for a special post-Halloween offer, just for sugar junkies. 🙂
Sweetly,
