A Halloween Sugar High and Holiday Sweets

Halloween seems to be the time of year that gets us started with sweet treats and it goes on right into the New Year, when we all get on the scale and make resolutions to lose ten pounds.

No matter how many people may succumb to this temptation, it is still an unhealthy choice to avoid.

The refined sugar found in Halloween candy and pre-packaged holiday treats offers no nutritional value and contributes to serious conditions such as obesity, diabetes and severe dental decay.

Consider these tips to steer clear of those tempting treats so you feel and look fantastic through the holidays:

• Keep in mind the U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines for people on a 2,000 calorie diet diet are 10 teaspoons of added sugar (80 grams), which is the approximate amount of sugar in one glass of soda;
• With the amount of sugar in soda in mind, drink water rather than sweetened beverages;
• Buy Halloween candy you don't like so you won't be tempted to pick;
• Keep candy and sweets out of sight rather than displayed in irresistible bowls or on the counter;
• Make sure you fill up on healthy snacks so you won't be hungry for all the sweet snacks; and
• Avoid total self-deprivation during the holidays by allowing yourself just one of your favorite treats - but if you can't have just one - you need to stay away from the temptation altogether.

By keeping these few simple tips in mind from October through December, you can face the New Year without worrying about unwanted weight gain.