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Janet Starr Hull PhD, CN

Alternative Health and Holistic Nutrition

How To Avoid A Halloween Hangover

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Close up image of toasted, salted pumpkin seeds spilling from a wooden bowl, accented with nuts and a small pumpkin
Make pumpkin treats for Halloween instead of candy.

It’s Halloween season, and I have good news for you – you can indulge in candies and treats and still stay mindful of your health.

By incorporating these simple tips into your celebrations, you and the kids can have a fantastic holiday without compromising your health goals.

Celebrate

Halloween originated as a “chemical free” time to celebrate the change of seasons with carnivals, apple-bobs, spooks, barn dances, and costume balls.

Halloween was never intended to be a marketing plethora of junk food and super-sized bags of candy and sweets that overload you and the kids with sugar and sugar-free chemicals.

This is Halloween today in the USA.

a man dressed like a vampire
Halloween is fun for all ages.

The stores up-sell candies, your neighbors could be handing out sugar-free candy and gum, thinking sugar-free is a better choice, and adult costume parties offer lots of adult beverages.

Whew – the day after all that sugar and alcohol leaves both you and the kids with a Halloween hangover. 

Healthy Options

Here are some ways to restore healthy Halloween fun:

  1. swap out traditional Halloween sweets with healthier alternatives like dark chocolate or fruit-based snacks.;
  2. close off your street and have a “street party” instead of trick or treating door to door or going to a late-night party;
  3. remember that moderation is important – after Halloween is over, limit your sweets to a couple of small pieces of candy per day;
  4. celebrate Halloween at the pumpkin patch;
  5. replace candy and party treats with baked goods, fresh veggies, and healthy snacks;
  6. switch the emphasis from candy and sugar to the Foods for Fall – nuts, berries, pumpkins, pumpkin pies, muffins, and pumpkin breads, cranberries (muffins and breads), non-GMO corn on the cob, and apples;
  7. drink plenty of water throughout the day and during your party – stay hydrated;
  8. prevent overeating by eating slowly and intentionally.
a cute little boy sitting in a pumplin patch holding a pumpkin and laughing
Go to the pumpkin patch instead of trick or treating.

Look how easy it is to spin this into a healthy celebration!

The Morning After

I always recommend detoxing before and after a holiday celebration. Check out my 10-Steps To Detoxification detox program that you can download for free off my website.

Make sure you’re getting enough sleep each night before and after parties, and stay physically active to help balance those extra calories from the sweet treats and alcohol.

Peanut Butter & Green Apple Donuts

Peanut butter and green apple donuts.

This is a recipe that I have enjoyed over the years from the Carlson Company.  It serves 10, and believe me, those will be gone quickly, so make 20.

440 mg of Omega-3s per Serving

Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of smooth peanut butter
  • 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. of Carlson Cod Liver Oil, green apple (adults and kids)
  • 2 Tbsp. of honey
  • 2 large green apples
  • Assorted toppings: chopped nuts, shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, or sprinkles

Directions

  1. Combine peanut butter, Carlson Cod Liver Oil, green apple; and honey in a small bowl. Stir until completely blended.
  2. Core apples, then cut them crosswise into donut-size rings about 1/3 thick.
  3. Spread a heaping tablespoon of peanut butter mixture on each apple ring.
  4. Sprinkle apple rings with assorted toppings.

Happy Halloween and have a fun-old-fashioned celebration like it used to be … 

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If you want to learn more about healthy living and disease prevention, contact me at janethull.com. Remember that you are never alone when you are looking for good health!

I look forward to supporting you on your journey to alternative health and wellness.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, and is educational in nature. The FDA may not have evaluated some of the statements.  This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please discuss with your own, qualified health care provider before adding supplements or making any changes to your dietary program.

Before taking vitamins, consult your doctor; pre-existing medical conditions or medications you are taking can affect how your body responds to multivitamins.

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