The Ultimate Bariatric Halloween Resource Guide

Tiny Tummy Tips, Issue #69: Surviving Halloween After Weight Loss Surgery

Don’t fret…

Whether you’re throwing a party, attending a party, handing out candy or simply trying to avoid the candy that seems to be EVERYWHERE…

I’ve got you covered with the right resources to keep you having fun without all the regret.

Did you know…

…among those who celebrate Halloween, 95% will purchase candy…

…and Halloween candy and sugar are basically synonymous…

…but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the fun.

In the last newsletter,

I talked about calorie awareness.

So at least be mindful of what (and how much) candy you eat, if it’s difficult to avoid the candy all together…which it IS!

Candy Calorie Roundup

Looking for a Specific Candy?

Calculation Tool

While you can't out train a bad diet, you can certainly expend a little more energy when you know you're eating a bit more.

Use this free calculation tool

to estimate how many calories you burn in dozens of different exercises.

Simply enter your weight and how long (in minutes) you plan to exercise.

A Note About Sugar

So, keep those sugar grams on your radar too.

Here’s a handy rule of thumb to remember: 4 grams of sugar is roughly the equivalent of 1 teaspoon.

Picture eating a sugar cube from the sugar bowl for every 4 grams of sugar on the label.

Say you're eyeing those tempting, bite-sized Reese's peanut butter cups. A handful of 5 of them will set you back about 220 calories and a whopping 23 grams of sugars. That's roughly 6 teaspoons of sugar (equivalent to 2 tablespoons). Now imagine going to the sugar bowl and gobbling down 6 sugar cubes.

Now you know.

Throwing a Party?

Protein is your bestie after surgery, so why not weave it into your Halloween snack lineup?

• Deviled Egg Monsters: Whip up deviled eggs with a spooky twist—add black olive “eyes” and a sprinkle of paprika for some flair. High-protein and hauntingly good!

• Cheese Stick Mummies: Wrap low-fat string cheese with a tiny strip of turkey or chicken deli meat. They’re high-protein, fun to make, and look totally “wrapped up” for Halloween.

• Stuffed Pepper Jack-O'-Lanterns: Hollow out mini orange bell peppers and carve little faces. Fill them with ground turkey and cauliflower rice for a festive and filling snack.

• Spooky Veggie Platters: Arrange cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and carrots in fun, Halloween shapes like ghosts and pumpkins. Add a Greek yogurt-based dip and watch the goblins gather!

• Pumpkin Protein Shake: Blend a scoop of your favorite protein powder with unsweetened almond milk, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spices. Voila! It’s like a pumpkin pie without the guilt.

• See more fun and easy ideas on my Halloween Pinterest Board

Handing Out Candy?

Buy candy YOU don’t like.

FUN Candy Facts

And notice the most popular candy in YOUR state!

For all you subscribers in my home state of Arizona, the top 3 most popular Halloween candies, in order, are:

1. Hershey Kisses
2. Sour Patch Kids (!)
3. M&Ms

Who knew?! Thanks Candystore.com!

Now knowing this, MY PERSONAL strategy is to get Sour Patch Kids…because I don’t like them!

Attending a Party?

• Bring Something You KNOW You Can Eat. Use any of the fun ideas/recipes previously mentioned above. Everyone will benefit!

• Stay Ahead of the Spooky Urge. Eat before you go. If you're hitting a party, have a bariatric-friendly meal before you leave. This way, you're less tempted by the candy bowls and sweet tables. A hungry person makes emotional decisions, not rational ones!

• Focus on the Fun: Halloween isn't just about the food. Focus on the costumes, decorations, and spending time with friends. Plan a spooky movie marathon or a pumpkin-carving contest. Make new traditions that don’t involve candy.

• Limit Your Treats: Decide ahead of time how many treats you’ll have. Tell someone else to elevate your accountability. Choose your treats wisely and the ENJOY them slowly.

Final Thought: You've Got This!

So put on that costume, grab a healthy snack, and enjoy this spooky season with confidence. Happy Halloween.

Stay Healthy, Stay Spooky!

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See you in the next issue!

In Health,