The weather is turning cooler and the holidays are quickly approaching. This can be a challenging time of year to stick to your diet and exercise goals. Whether you’ll be out with the kids, handing candy out at home, or simply browsing the candy-filled aisle of the grocery store, we’ve compiled some helpful tips to help you celebrate a healthier Halloween.

1. Shop Smart - If you typically hand out candy, be intentional in your choices. Avoid temptation by purchasing candy on Halloween day or by picking your least favorite treats. Purchase only what you need and supplement with healthier options or non-food items. 
    
2. Enjoy a Healthy Meal - Halloween night can be hectic – rushing home from work, assembling costumes, finding batteries for the flashlight – plan ahead and eat a healthy meal. A full stomach will make you less likely to indulge and help avoid the sugar roller coaster.
    
3. Count your Steps - Trick or treating is first and foremost an activity. Enjoy the evening, take in the decorations and get your step count up! Make it a challenge to see how many steps you can take. 
    
4. Get Creative - Get creative with the leftovers – mix candy into a healthy protein balls snack, send a candy care package to soldiers, use it for arts and crafts or save it to decorate a holiday gingerbread house. 
    
5. Be Safe - Make safety fun – wear glow sticks, bring a flashlight and invite your neighbors to walk as a group.  Have a conversation with your kids before you leave the house. Talk about staying on sidewalks and in well-lit areas and about not going inside homes of those they do not know. Use Halloween as a reason to make sure your kids know your address and phone number. 
    
6. Attend a Healthy Halloween event - Join the Y for an upcoming Halloween event where the focus is on the fun!