In our house, we’ve pretty much nixed buying Easter, Halloween and Christmas candy for each other.
When we do, it’s in small amounts and very good quality. Life is too short to eat candy when I could be eating dark chocolate!
So what are some ideas for getting rid of excess Easter, Halloween, or Christmas candy if you’re an athlete and looking for big gains this season? I found two opposing ideas: give it away so you’re not tempted by unnecessary calories at the wrong times or eat it but in a way that it fits into your training plan.
Give it Away
- Take it to work. Before long, somebody on your floor will have to work late and it will disappear!
- Donate it to homeless shelters, first responders, or dentists. I don’t live where you live, but I’m sure you can find places that take unopened candy with a few quick internet searches. One option is Halloween Candy Buy Back.
- Operation Shoe Box provides care packages for our deployed armed forces. Check out the first option on their FAQs page for sending candy! They recommend heat-proof candy that won’t melt in warm climates that is individually wrapped. The chocolate Easter bunnies aren’t a good option for Operation Shoe Box, but hard candies work fine.
- Treats for Troops accepts candy from kids in exchange for non-candy goodies after Halloween.
Eat It
- Have a piece or two after a long exercise session with a protein source. A good example would be a Peep s’more with peanut butter or milk.
- Use chopped candy in breakfast cookies or energy bites. To make these nutritionally sound, the base of the cookie or bit needs to have healthy fats and some fiber, such as from a nut butter, ground flax seeds, chia seeds, oats, nuts, or dried fruit.
- Layer small bits of chocolate on a peanut butter (or other nut butter) sandwich. Easily transportable and will last a while in your bag!
- Peeps can be melted down to use like any other marshmallow fluff, usually as an edible glue. Puffed rice cereal treats are the classic, but it also works for popcorn and other cereals. Add in some dried fruit and nuts or any other fuels you like!
- Have your friends over for a fondue party! Melt the chocolate and dip in Peeps and fresh fruit.
- Freeze it for later, after you finish a tough workout week or a big race. A frozen cream egg after a hot practice in July is a sensory gift!
- Make up your own trail mix. Add a few of the solid pieces like jelly beans or M&Ms to salty trail mix with some dried fruit.
Enjoy your resourcefulness in disposing of your Easter basket, Halloween pumpkin or Christmas stocking candy without eating everything yourself! Take a moment and post below to let me know what works best for you!
For more ideas that apply directly to your situation, contact Dr. Schubert here.
For healthy food options, consider your overall holiday meal strategy, then learn more about leafy greens and whole grains. Or find out more about the Mediterranean Diet and how to best use a Vegetarian Diet when training for your chosen sport.