Filed Under: Holiday Eating
30 October 2024 | Written by Xenia Ayiotis
Halloween is the start of a “holiday eating” season that continues until the New Year. If you have a challenging relationship with food, Halloween can be a difficult time to navigate, the treats come with a side of fear and anxiety. It may seem that the best way to manage this time is to set limits on how much candy you eat, however overly restricting sweets often backfires.
Why?
When we decide to limit sweets or cut them out entirely, sugar takes on a “forbidden fruit” status. We’re often drawn to things we can’t have, which creates a strong charge around Halloween treats. This is partly psychological; the more we tell ourselves we “shouldn’t” eat something, the more likely we are to fixate on it. When we deny ourselves sweets (or any of our favourite foods), it can lead to “all or nothing” thinking: if we break the restriction and have one piece of candy, we might feel like we’ve already “gone off track”, so we may as well keep eating. Overly restricting candy can lead to a cycle of craving and overeating, followed by guilt.
How can you enjoy Halloween treats with no guilt?
Halloween is a time for fun so embracing treats can make it more enjoyable. Treats aren’t just about taste; they’re also tied to memories, traditions, and nostalgia. Allowing yourself to fully embrace the season without guilt can make Halloween feel like a true celebration. How about seeing sweets as part of the celebration instead of a “deviation” or doing something “bad”?
Give yourself unconditional permission to enjoy Halloween candy without judgment. Allow yourself to enjoy candy as a normal part of the Halloween experience by asking yourself how much candy would actually satisfy you right now? Before eating, pause and consider what you really want. Are you craving something chocolatey, chewy, or maybe sour or fruity? Take a moment to notice if any particular candy is calling you, and trust yourself to make a choice based on genuine desire. This approach lets you honour your taste buds and cravings, which often leads to a more satisfying experience overall. Being curious about your preferences can help guide you in a way that feels less pressured and more relaxed.
A great mindful eating tool is to pick out your top three favourite treats from the bowl. Spend time enjoying them one by one, noticing their unique qualities. Tune in to how the food feels in your body. Are you enjoying the taste and experience? Ask yourself: am I still enjoying this as much as when I started? Have I had enough? This helps you be in tune with your body’s cues and respects both your desire for sweets and your physical well-being.
Halloween offers so many opportunities for enjoyment beyond the candy — dressing up, decorating, watching scary movies, or hosting gatherings. Focusing on these activities can take some of the pressure off the candy itself, making it a treat rather than the main event. Give the fun activities as much attention as the food!
Halloween doesn’t have to be a battle between enjoyment and restriction. Embracing the principles of intuitive eating allows you to make space for candy without fear or guilt. This Halloween, I hope you let yourself truly savour your treats, enjoy the festivities, and know that candy is a sweet part of this day.
Wishing you a fun Halloween and peace with treats.
Xen
🎃 Do you want to be able to eat all foods with no guilt? Tired of feeling stressed about sugar? Book a free 30-minute mini session and let’s chat about how my coaching can help you.
🎃 Halloween gift for you: Feeling Guilty Around Food Meditation
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