3 steps to prevent a Halloween candy binge

What’s wrong with eating too much candy?  Absolutely nothing. Candy is delicious and should be enjoyed. This article is written strictly for individuals who binge on candy. Meaning that they lose control when eating candy, eat so quickly that they don’t taste the candy and continue eating even after they are physically ill.  

The issue with food binges is never about the calories.  The downside of a binge is that it causes acute self-loathing. You wake up the morning after a binge and rip yourself to shreds for the lack of control, the calories consumed and the disgust with yourself. Acute self loathing obliterates your self esteem and pummels your mood. In other words, bingeing creates and then sustains self hatred and depression. For that reason, I’m offering advice on how to prevent a binge on Halloween candy.

There are 3 steps to avoiding a Halloween candy binge.  The first step is creating a plan for managing the large quantity of candy that your kids will bring home on Halloween. Part two involves selecting the candy that you offer to trick or treaters. Part three is the execution of your plan.  

Step one 

Google ‘“locations for donating Halloween candy for the troops near me.” Find out the hours of drop-off for November 1st.  Talk to your kids about donating the majority of their candy the day after Halloween. Most kids lose interest in their candy shortly after Halloween.  

Step two

When selecting candy to give to your neighborhood trick or treaters with candy, do not purchase anything that you like.  In fact, you should purchase candy that repulses you.  If you like chocolate, buy sour gummies.  If you like gummy candy, buy chocolate.  If you like all kinds of candy, buy lollipops.  It would be really hard to binge on lollipops. 

Step three 

When your kids return home from trick or treating with huge bags of candy, let your kids eat some candy.  They will likely lose interest in it quickly. Once your kids are done eating, triple bag the remaining candy (you want to make it cumbersome to get into the stash) and put it in the trunk of your car.  Do not set yourself up for temptation by leaving it in the kitchen.  The morning of November 1st, drop off the bagged candy at the donation site.  Out of sight, out of mind!

Feeling like a selfish parent?

Are you feeling like you are making your “problems with food” into a punishment for your kids?  While this sentiment is understandable, you need to remember that engaging in behavior that increases acute depression is not good for your kids.  We don’t ask alcoholics to keep cocktails in their fridge and it’s ok for you not to keep candy in your cupboard if you think that it will cause you to binge.  

Planning for Halloween is key!  Halloween is not all about candy.  The fun is in the decorating, the costumes, the pumpkins and the time with friends and family.