Halloween can be down right SCARY when it comes to all of the sugary treats and candy flying around! However, this doesn't have to be an excuse to ditch your healthy lifestyle all together. Here are some tips to staying healthy this halloween!

1. Don't be Fooled: Just because a label says 'fun size' on it, doesn't mean that it comes with a miniature amount of calories and sugar! For example, just one 'fun size' Butterfingers bar has 100 calories and 10 grams of sugar! Almost all of the most popular 'fun size' candy bars have between 80-110 calories and 8-15 grams of sugar each!

2. Get Rid of Temptation: If temptation comes at you in the form of a little orange, brown, or yellow packet, (yeah...you know what I'm talking about), there is one simple way to put an end to the 'drawing in' of a sweet little treat. How do we get rid of temptation once and for all? Get it out of the house, off of your desk at work, or wherever candy may haunting you. If your kids just went trick or treating, you can allow them to choose a few of their favorites, then get rid of the rest. You could either donate it, give it away, or simply toss it! It's simple: If you don't have it around then you (and your kids...who also don't need the sugar) won't be tempted by it!

3. Swap Out Your Favorites: If you simply must have a Peanut Butter Cup, then simply swap it out for a healthier alternative! That is truly what Dashing Dish is all about...Not giving up your favorite foods and treats, but rather swapping them out for alternatives that are just as tasty (and don't send you into a sugar slump!) Speaking of... I have a healthy PB cup recipe coming next week!

4. Don't Buy Candy to Give Away: Going back to point #2, if you have candy in the house to 'give away' you most likely will be tempted by it. In addition, do you really want to add to the bag of 'junk' that those cute little kids are carting around!?! Instead, get creative, give non-edible 'treats' such as pencils or erasers (hey, it may sound lame to you, but my sister who is a 3rd grade teachers says those things go like hot cakes in her goody bin!) Or you could give away a healthier treat, such as 100% fruit leathers.

5. Bring Treats to Pass at Parties: It's that time of year...From now until January 1st there will be holiday party galore!!! Parties are comprised of three main things: fun, socializing, and FOOD! There is no way around it, holiday parties often bombard you with all sorts of treats that look oh so tasty! The best way to deal with the ever present temptation from Trick or Treat to Happy New Year!?! Bring your own dish to pass! It really is that simple. I bring a dish, a dessert, or sometimes both to every party I go to, so that way I know there is going to be a healthy option for myself and friends to enjoy! This is one of the most simple ways to combat the all too common holiday weight gain. (With that, I must say, I personally always enjoy a few of my very favorite (full fat-full sugar) treats during the holidays, but I keep it to a reasonable portion, and when I do, I make sure I truly enjoy every bite!)