Haunting Halloween Calories

Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet, Give Me Something Good to Eat! Obviously we don’t condone stuffing your face with anything that doesn’t supplement your healthy body, but we understand how difficult it is to pass up treats during the holidays. Let this be your guide to choosing the best of the worst “foods” on this planet. Happy Halloween!

Eat this: Twizzlers Cherry Nibs (22 pieces) 110 cal, 0g fat, 18g sugar
Not that: Candy Corn (22 pieces) 140 cal, 0g fat, 28g sugar
- Although a Halloween classic, candy corn is made mostly of sugar, corn syrup, salt and honey

Eat this: PayDay (fun size) 90 cal, 0.5g sat fat, 10g sugar
Not that: Almond Joy (fun size) 100 cal, 3.5g sat fat, 10g sugar
- PayDay has the lowest level of saturated fat in the candy bar aisle

Eat this: Whoppers (6 pieces) 60 cal, 2g sat fat, 8g sugar
Not that: Tootsie Roll (6 midgees) 140 cal, 0.5g sat fat, 20g sugar
- Choose the crunchy chocolate flavor of Whoppers with less sugar than Tootsie Rolls

Eat this: Skittles (fun size) 80 cal, 1g sat fat, 15g sugar
Not that: Starburst fruit chews (fun size) 170 cal, 3.5g sat fat, 24g sugar
- Skittles aren’t perfect, but they have a fraction of the sugar and fat found in Starburst

Eat this: 3 Musketeers bar (fun size) 60 cal, 2g sat fat, 8g sugar
Not that: Brach’s Milk Maid Caramels (4 pieces) 160 cal, 3.5g sat fat, 16g sugar
- The gooey consistency of Brach's caramels is achieved with partially hydrogenated oils (THOSE ARE BAD)

Eat this: Red Hots (40 pieces) 120 cal, 0g fat, 26g sugar
Not that: Hot Tamales (20 pieces) 150 cal, 0g fat, 23g sugar
- It takes 6 different artificial colors to make the perfect Hot Tamale shade of red

Eat this: Jujubes (52 pieces) 110 cal, 0g fat, 18g sugar
Not that: Airheads (2 bars) 120 cal, 1g sat fat, 17g sugar
- At just over 2 calories apiece, you can afford to indulge in Jujubes

Eat this: Nestle Raisinets (1/4 cup) 190 cal, 5g sat fat, 27g sugar
Not that: M&M’s Peanut (1/4 cup) 220 cal, 4.5g sat fat, 22g sugar
- Unlike Raisinets, M&M’s can’t claim that any of its sugar is natural

Eat this: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (2) 230 cal, 4.5g sat fat, 20g sugar
Not that: Twix Peanut Butter (2) 280 cal, 8g sat fat, 19g sugar
- Twix Peanut Butter is one of the fattiest, oil-saturated candy bars on the market

*In no way are we saying these candies are healthy! Ultimately, the best alternative to candy is fruit, with natural sugar and vitamins :)

Information provided by David Zinczenko’s Eat This, Not That!

Oh, the joys of Fall: leaves changing color, wearing jackets every day, and perfect football weather. Pretty soon it will be time for you to have an excuse to drink hot chocolate every night! Comfort foods, especially around Thanksgiving, are only an arm’s length away. Beware before you pick up that warm apple pie or big bowl of chili. Researchers at WebMD are telling us to stay away from these top fattening fall foods, but they left us with delicious alternatives.

1. Pot Pie
Store bought and homemade pot pie can have more than 1,000 calories in one pie. Not to mention a ton of salt. Instead try a roast chicken breast and a warm whole-wheat roll.
2. Tailgate foods
You’ve got to have a burger, a brat, queso dip and some spiked cider; how else will you stay warm during the game? Eat from a plate instead of grazing the entire menu. Also, if you’re throwing the tailgate bash, serve veggies and low-fat dip as part of your buffet.
3. Oktoberfest = Calorie fest
Bratwurst has about 95 calories per ounce. To put that in perspective, one ounce is of meat the size of 1 tablespoon of peanut butter. When it comes down to it eat smaller portions, choose light beer over regular, and limit yourself on how many “Das Boot” challenges you do.
4. Chubby Chili
The most important thing to remember is that chili can be an incredibly healthy meal... when prepared correctly. Instead of beef or sausage stews smothered with cheese, try chili’s with plenty of beans, veggies, spices, lean meat and a sprinkle of cheese.
5. Cream soups and Hearty Stews
Baked potato soup from Panera has 22g of fat and 1210mg of sodium. If you’ve been paying attention, that’s not exactly an ideal meal. Most restaurant soups and stew are loaded with cream, cheese and/or meat. If you choose a bread bowl or add noodles, you add extra calories. Choose broth-based and vegetable-based soups to fill you up for fewer calories.
6. Seasonal Beverages
If you wait every fall for Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte, maybe you should reconsider. From lattes to hot chocolate to eggnog, seasonal drinks can carry up to 350 calories. Try hot green tea, which is calorie free and full of antioxidants.
7. Carmel Apples
Creations like these make nutritionists all over the world just cringe. A beautifully healthy apple turns into a body wrecking machine. Instead of the thick layer of caramel and nuts, try apple slices with a small portion of low-fat caramel dip.
8. Trick-or-Treat?
Unfortunately Halloween candy comes out way before the big day and extends its stay past the 31st. Stash sweets out of sight until Halloween night when the kids come by. When your sweet tooth comes creeping along, try fruit or sugarless gum.
9. Mac & Cheese
Kraft has nothing on your Aunt’s homemade macaroni and cheese. When the casserole dish comes your way, remember small portions. If you make it yourself, modify the recipe using low-fat cheese and milk, and even throw some veggies in!
10. Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Whether the gravy comes from a package or straight from the turkey drippings, it’s not all gravy with gravy. Try mashed potatoes without gravy.
11. Candied Yams
Sweet potato casserole with cream, butter and marshmallows can reach 500 calories per serving. Try oven-roasted or grilled sweet potatoes to get your healthy dose of vitamins A & C without the extra fat.
12. Stuffing
A must-have on the Thanksgiving table is turkey with stuffing, so don’t skip it. If it’s grandma’s recipe, keep the portion small, chew it slowly and enjoy each mouthful, and resist smothering it in gravy. If it’s your turn to make the stuffing this year try using fruits, vegetables, and low-fat stock.
13. Pies
The idea begins right, using fresh fruits or nuts, but buttery crusts and ice cream on the side adds too many calories. Minimize calories by skipping the crust, using light whipped topping, and keep the portions small.

Article was provided by WebMD Healthy Eating & Diet

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Did your mother ever tell you warm milk could help you fall sleep at night? It turns out, she was right. There are quite a few foods that can help you fall asleep faster, but there are others that can keep you up all night. So the next time you fall asleep in class or at work, consider these tips to make your next sleep a great one.

What foods will help me sleep?
Everyone says you fall asleep after Thanksgiving dinner because of the tryptophan in turkey. Though the amount of tryptophan in a turkey drumstick won’t make you pass out, eating a serving or two of poultry, dairy, bananas, oats or honey will help you drift off if you’re having troubles.
Carbs are not the enemy! Carbohydrate-rich food combinations such as cereal and milk, yogurt and crackers, or bread and cheese will help increase the level of sleep-inducing tryptophan in your blood.

When should I eat my night time snack?
If you struggle with insomnia, a little food in your stomach may help you sleep. Before you start shoving that foot-long sandwich down your throat, remember to keep your snacks small. A heavy meal means a lot of work for your digestive system, making you uncomfortable and unable to sleep.

What foods should I avoid before bed?
High-fat foods! These foods should only be a minimal part of your diet anyhow. Research shows that people who eat high-fat foods versus low-fat foods experience more disruption in their sleep cycles. Also, spicy foods can cause heartburn or an upset stomach, so enjoy your jalapenos at least four hours before bedtime.

As an athlete, you constantly need protein to help your muscles repair, but most protein-rich foods are harder to digest than carbohydrates (which is why you feel fuller longer). You can enjoy protein anytime, but your bedtime snack should contain low to no protein. Stick to easily digested carbohydrates like milk and crackers.

Coffee contains caffeine which is a stimulant, and obviously something you should not have before bed. What about that hot chocolate mix you were going to add to your warm milk? Chocolate, colas and tea are less known foods that contain caffeine. In addition, certain medications such as pain relievers, diuretics and cold medicines also may contain caffeine, so check the label before consuming. For better sleep, cut all caffeine from your diet by noon each day.

Do you choose a glass of wine to help your eyes get droopy? Alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, but you may not be able to sleep through the night. Booze can lead to frequent awakenings, less restful sleep, headaches, night sweats and nightmares. If you decide to have that adult beverage before bed, balance it with a glass of water to dilute the alcohol’s effects. And though it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day, but don’t chug a glass of water right before bed. Slow down to sips before bed so you won’t have to make a midnight trip to the bathroom.


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Article from WebMD's Sleep Disorders Health Center