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Halloween Candy vs. Preconception
Author: Melanie Denney
Halloween: the most anticipated holiday of all lovers of candy. Chocolate covered peanut butter cups, taffies, hard tack candies, licorice, and candy bars; we’ve all been at the mercy of one of these little temptations, knowing they offered no nutritional favors, only to indulge in the yum. Nutrition, and its importance, has never been more prevalently on your mind, now that you’re trying to grow a little marvel; so this Halloween, as you’re going to costume parties with tables of not-so-good-for-you temptations, and being ambushed by well stocked isles of candy, you’re making an all-star effort to resist them.
Junk food overload, as research has shown, can lead to very scary outcomes. Having one fun-sized candy bar, once in a while, may not damage your overall heath; but, consuming too many treats containing too much sugar, fat, sodium, and calories can lead to high blood pressure, unhealthy gain in weight, and an eventual probability of gestational diabetes – to name a few. Not to mention, eating overly processed foods have similar, and then some, consequences on our little ones. Spooky, yes, but that doesn’t mean you’ve got to deprive yourself this Halloween. Treat yourself to some of these sweet ideas to satiate your sweet tooth.
Have a Date with a Pecan
Nuts are a great source of protein, good fats, vitamins, minerals, and healthy acids. Satisfy your craving for a sweet treat with this too easy, so delicious, you-wont-believe-it-isn‘t pecan pie. Stuff a pitted date with a whole pecan, and drizzle with a little agave nectar if desired. Eat it and believe it. Make some more, put them in a zip-lock bag, and toss them in your purse. You’ll grin when you pass the candy display without feeling the need to grab a bag for the road.
Chocolate: A Treat for the Soul and Your Health
What is packed with flavonoids, vitamins, antioxidants, and has the ability to lower blood pressure and stress? All of those so-good-for-you nutrients are found in dark chocolate. For a healthy, chocolate fix, melt two ounces of chocolate (with a 70 percent cocoa content), and drizzle it over some pomegranate seeds, raw almond butter, plain air-popped popcorn, some chopped nuts, and maybe that little pecan pie, too.
Pumpkin Parfait
No orange vegetable is more prevalent during Halloween than the pumpkin. The pumpkin is packed with a whole lot of immune-boosting goodness. Its heartiness satisfies hunger, and paired with something sweet, it turns into a guilt-free indulgence – which is why Joy Bauer, certified nutritionist, loves to use plain, canned pumpkin in a lot of her recipes. Make yourself a pumpkin parfait by mixing Greek yogurt with a generous dollop of pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and a dash of vanilla. Top it off with chopped nuts, oats, and a little maple syrup. Eat it in a small bowl, or spoon some in a muffin tin with nonstick liners, poke a stick in, and place it in the freezer.
With treats so good they’re scary, you might just keep them around even after you’ve found out you have a baby on the way! Happy Halloween!
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