Halloween’s creeping up, and with it, some spooky health stats, like the fact that Americans consume 90 billion pounds of chocolate and counting during that week alone. To help you weather the mayhem, we asked four members of Oscar’s Medical Management team for their best health tips.
“Make sure you eat a healthy meal at the start of the night,” says Tina Lesevic, RN. “Ideally, go for something high in protein and fiber. Both will help you feel full for longer.” Also, be realistic about snacking. If you’ve been out a long time, you’ll probably want to eat something at the end of the night, so have some healthy foods you like on hand. Lastly, for any candy you acquire, put it in the freezer. Having to thaw the individual pieces out is a great way to prevent impulse bingeing and mindless snacking in the days to come.
“Turn your fitness tracker on and bring it with you,” say Mary Ellen Connington, RN. “Seeing a record of something good you’re doing for your health can be an incredible motivator to stay on that wagon.” (If you’re an Oscar member, you can even earn cash as you trick-or-treat with your Misfit Flash.)
“Have a strategy before you go out,” says MaryAnn Jonaitis, CDN. “On a night like that, it’s unrealistic to avoid candy altogether, but plan to stick to one or two of the bite-sized pieces. If you’re still hungry, opt for nuts or popcorn. They contain healthy fats and fiber to promote satiety.” If you’re at a party where food is served, choose a small plate and stack it with fruits and vegetables before going for other options. And when you’re out and about, it can help to carry a bottle of water or seltzer. Not only will it help you stay hydrated (studies show it’s easy to confuse hunger and thirst), but if copious cocktails are part of your night, you can use this to water them down.
“If you or your kids are due for a dental cleaning, schedule it soon after Halloween night,” says Audrey Pellicano, RN. “Toothbrushes are no match for candy corn.” Also, late night carousing, cold weather, and more can wear you down and make you more vulnerable to getting sick. If you wake up feeling iffy and that feeling persists through the day, you can speak to a board-certified doctor any time through our Doctor on Call service. He or she can help evaluate your symptoms and walk you through any next steps (including prescriptions, if you’re really sick).