Apart from the fun costumes, haunted houses, and scary movies, there’s no doubt that Halloween candy is a key component of the festivities this time of year, but we all need to avoid overdoing it on the candy and sugary treats. Whether you’re watching your waistline, cutting back on sugar consumption, or simply trying to be more mindful about your health and wellness, it’s easy to go overboard on the Halloween sweets and get off track.

Just because you’re trying to eat healthy doesn’t mean you need to give up Halloween candy completely. Instead, opt for healthier alternatives, and keep your portion sizes in check to enjoy the occasional indulgence without sacrificing your health.

One study found that consuming 25 grams of dark chocolate was effective at lowering blood pressure in those with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Not only that, but it was also able to significantly decrease fasting blood sugar levels compared to a control group.

• Dark chocolate, for instance, is a good alternative to milk chocolate because it’s higher in heart-healthy antioxidants and polyphenols that can help fight free radical damage and protect against disease — and those are just some of the benefits of dark chocolate. Several studies show that adding dark chocolate to your diet can reduce blood pressure levels, which could help protect against conditions, such as heart disease and stroke.
• Other Halloween candy, such as Tootsie Pops, Dum Dums, and Jolly Ranchers, are relatively low in fat and calories and take longer to eat than other candies, which can help slow you down and prevent a binge.
• Smarties, Twizzlers, and Mike & Ikes are options that are lower in calories compared with other types of candy and are typically pre-packaged in smaller servings to keep your candy consumption in check.

Pinnacle Health Management has an array of curriculum-based educational health management programs, including Diabetes, Hypertension, and Weight Management. We work with employers to create customized programs that are effective and easily adopted by their unique employee population. If you’d like to find out more about our programs, please visit our programs page or email us today!