Three Halloween Belly Fat Burning "Tricks"

Halloween is fast approaching.

Which means: Halloween candy is EVERYWHERE you look!

And all that candy may cause you to throw caution to the wind and enjoy one (or many!) of those bite-sized candy pieces.

The only problem: It may make you crave MORE sugary foods and load up on excess sugar, which could potentially cause you to pack on the pounds this holiday season.

But what’s the harm in a little bit of candy?

Candy and Your Health

The problem with candy is that it wreaks havoc in your mouth and other cells in your body.

All that sugar found in candy has been shown to promote tooth decay, cavities, and create poor oral health.

Plus, the sugar in candy may eventually lead you to become overweight or obese!

And this could lead to the development of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and diabetes.

Some dietitians propose “healthier” alternatives to the high-calorie candies on the market today.

They recommend sticking with lower-calorie, less fat alternatives, such as Tootsie Rolls and Peppermint Patties.

However, there are others things that you should consider when buying and enjoying your Halloween candy.

The “Tricks” of Halloween Candy

Hidden inside most Halloween candy are sugars, fats, carbohydrates, and even some trans-fats.

However, some Halloween candy goes a step further and they include artificial preservatives, artificial colors, and allergens that may ignite a mild to severe allergy attack.

Other ingredients that you need to watch out for are things like high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, or modified food sources, that may not have nutritional value at all.

These ingredients may give you very little in the way of nutrition and could increase your intake of added sugar, trans-fats, and artificial chemicals, all which may be detrimental to your health.

So what should you give out instead?

Healthier Candy Solutions

The best advice this Halloween is to hand out healthier snack options such as apples, oranges, pears, and other fruit options.

But if you don’t want to be the house on the street NO ONE comes to, then here are some better candy options for you to hand out to all your little trick-or-treaters.

1. Peanuts

These snack alternatives are a great option for Halloween treats.

They are packed full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, plenty of vitamins and minerals, and protein, with far fewer calories coming from saturated fats.

Plus, these snacks do not need to be refrigerated, which makes them even more attractive options.

Peanuts in the raw contain no preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, and provide a growing child with the right type of fats for brain development – peanuts are just a smarter option!

2. Pumpkin or Sunflower Seeds

Talk about two nutritional favorites!

Pumpkin seeds, which are low in calories, pack a full day’s supply of zinc and magnesium, which are needed to maintain the health of the cells in your body.

Plus, some studies have shown that pumpkin seeds may help your body absorb nutrients from the foods you eat.

Sunflower seeds, on the other hand, are chock full of nutrition as well.

They are full of copper, which is a much needed mineral when it comes to the metabolism of other minerals in your diet.

These snack alternatives can be found in single serving packets at most of your local grocery stores.

3. Trail Mix

One of the easiest ways to pack in a bunch of nutrition is with trail mix.

Most varieties contain a wide range of nuts, including peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, and cashews.

These nuts not only supply a TON of vitamins and minerals, they may even include heart- and brain-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Plus, they are low in carbs and high in protein, which is perfect for growing boys, girls, and adults.

This is another option that you can find in your local grocery store or shopping center!

Enjoy Your “Healthy” Halloween

Halloween is a great time of year for kids and adults alike.

However, it can be a holiday that can ruin your weight loss, or start your children in the wrong direction.

Granted a piece or two of candy is not that bad for you, but having plenty of candy around may lead to overeating high-sugar, high-calorie, and high-fat snacks, which could increase your risk for developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome, or becoming overweight.

These three snack alternatives will provide the right nutrition that you and your growing children need.