Have you ever wondered if there's a benefit to Halloween candy? | Blogs

Nov 07

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Have you ever wondered if there's a benefit to Halloween candy?

Sun 07 Nov 2010 13:20:29 | 0 comments

It may seem too good to be true, but I think there is a benefit to Halloween candy. That benefit is called portion-control! The great thing about Halloween candy is that it is prepackaged into manageable portions.

Instead of eating more than 40 grams of sugar in a regular-sized bar of your favorite candy, you will find that these small packages usually have less than 10 grams of sugar. Not ideal, to be sure, but if you're going for moderation - and not elimination - to handle the holiday stress, then consider raiding your child's Halloween candy stash instead of working your way through a king-size candy bar.

Before you mindlessly choose a few “fun sized” candy bars for yourself, consider giving yourself the best. The best chocolate, that is.

Dark chocolate is the best chocolate for your body – it’s loaded with antioxidants! Look for candy bars with 72% or higher cacao content. And when unwrap that piece of dark chocolate, savor it. Take a moment to breathe in the rich scent and enjoy the sensation of the chocolate on your tongue. If you remember to be in the moment while you’re indulging, you’re less likely to overeat.

For many of us, Halloween marks the beginning of a holiday season filled with tempting foods that are not always good for our bodies. Keep these small tips in mind so you can enjoy the tastes of the season while maintaining your health.

Dr. Elizabeth Ricanati is the mother of three children and founding medical director of The Cleveland Clinic's LifeStyle 180 program. She is a regular columnist for ShareWIK.com

More Dr. Elizabeth Ricanati articles, click here.

©ShareWIK Media Group, LLC 2010

©2011 ShareWIK Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved. ShareWIK does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For more information, please read our Additional Information, Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

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