Will you be tempted this Halloween?

Whether you have kids or not, celebrating or not, giving out candy or not, you may be tempted this year at a party, night out or by your kids’ leftover treats. 

So I’m asking you…

What’s your game plan to avoid eating all the candy you don’t give out? How will you curb your temptation to grab one of the kids’ candies whenever you walk past their stash?

Will you be tempted to go for any leftover office goodies? This is the time of year that unhealthy snacks are around every corner… what will you do?

For me, I know if it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind. 

Set yourself AND your kids a limit. If your waistline isn’t enough motivation, maybe some of these *interesting* facts about sugar will help you out:

• Adults should have no more than 30g of sugar a DAY (equal to 7 sugar cubes).

• Kids aged 7-10 should have no more than 24g of sugar a day (6 sugar cubes).

• Children aged 4-6 should have no more than 19g of sugar a day (5 sugar cubes).

• There’s no guideline limit for children under the age of 4, but it’s recommended that they AVOID sugar-sweetened drinks and food with sugar added to it together. (No-brainer?!)

• Sugar is calorie-dense and can lead to WEIGHT GAIN and obesity when consumed in excess. (Yes, you can overeat fruit too.)

• Increases the risk of Type 2 Diabetes!

• Too much sugar is linked to an increased risk of heart disease – it can raise blood pressure, increase triglyceride levels, and promote inflammation. (aka belly fat) 

• When consumed in large amounts, fructose (a type of sugar) can overload the liver and lead to the accumulation of fat. This can contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

• Increased Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess belly fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels. 

• Sugar feeds harmful bacteria in the mouth, leading to tooth decay and cavities. Sugary beverages and foods are particularly damaging to dental health.

• Consuming a lot of sugar can lead to hormonal imbalances, including insulin spikes and crashes, which can affect energy levels and mood.

• Sugar can be addicting, leading to cravings and overconsumption, similar to the way some addictive substances affect the brain.

It’s important to note that not all sugars are the same. 

Natural sugars found in fruits and veggies come with fibre, vitamins, and minerals that have a different impact on the body compared to added sugars found in processed and sugary foods and drinks.

Do your best to limit the CANDY, CHOCOLATE, CHIPS, SWEET DRINKS this Halloween (no matter how good and addictive they can be).

Enjoy it in moderation and set yourself a limit if you tend to overdo it!

Happy Halloween 👻