Is sugar spooking you this Halloween?
Yes, it’s that time of year - and, particularly if you have a young family at home, this can inevitably mean sweets or chocolates in the house. If the thought of all that sugar around is filling you with absolute dread, this blog is for you. Here’s how not to get spooked…
You could try to turn a blind eye to all the sweets and chocolate - but if you have a sweet tooth, then let’s get real.
Have you ever tried really hard to resist sugar or any other food for that matter, and then found it has more control over you?
Instead, can you try to let go of the rules and - if you have the desire or craving - allow yourself the freedom to enjoy a few Halloween goodies?
I’m not trying to pull a fast one - we all understand that living off sugar-laden ultra processed food is not good for our health, but that does not mean that most people’s bodies can’t handle any sugar. Eating psychology tells us that labelling foods as off-limits or ‘bad’ can be counter-productive, often leading to over-eating the very food we’re trying to avoid.
What’s more, stressing about food can raise stress and cortisol levels. And, if we find ourselves in binge-restrict cycles this may be deeply unhealthy for both our bodies and minds.
Part of developing a sustainable healthy relationship with food is giving yourself permission to have what you crave and enjoy from time to time, even when that food is not physically nourishing, to eat it guilt-free and then move on.
If you have a history of dieting or restrictive eating and are scared you may not be able to stop at one, can you treat this situation as a light experiment to help you get more attuned to eating in a more flexible, intuitive way?
My favourite tips are:
Try to eat satisfying meals during the day so you’re not at the mercy of your hunger. Not eating enough generally is an often overlooked but key piece of the equation when it comes to feeling out of control around food.
Aim to savour the sweet treats you do consume. When we really commit to slowing it down and eating mindfully, our experience of eating is very different and we may mind a small piece can go a long way.
Trust that your body holds the wisdom to know when you’ve eaten enough. Like eating mindfully, there is no doubt this one can take a lot of practice, but when you learn to listen your body, you can rely on it to communicate appropriate amounts of food.
Treat yourself kindly and compassionately whatever this Halloween might bring up for you.
Happy Halloween - I hope you get in the spirit of things and creep it real… enjoy.
Take a nourishing step forward
Are worries about food, weight, or overeating draining your time, energy, and peace of mind? Are you struggling with low mood, food cravings, gut health, or digestion challenges?
Old mindsets and habits can be hard to shift on your own. If you are looking to reset your eating patterns, make peace with your body, and reclaim your energy, I can help you.
Please check out my private programmes here, or book an exploratory chat to find out more.
