Holidays can be overwhelming for many reasons, including the food, drinks, friends, and family. Halloween is no exception, especially for people who have undergone bariatric surgery. Halloween is a time for fun and celebration, but it can also be a challenge. With all the temptation of candy and other unhealthy foods, it's easy to fall off track with your weight loss goals. In this article, we offer some advice in order to avoid the weight roller coaster during the Halloween season. We talk about candy alternatives, parties, beverages, and how to handle the temptation of the Halloween madness. How To Survive Halloween After Bariatric Surgery The temptation of candy, desserts, sugary beverages, and unlimited food choices, can be difficult for anyone. However, these options are definitely not going to fit well into a new bariatric diet. In order to be prepared for the Halloween season, it's going to take a lot of planning, alternative options, support, and self control. Candy Alternatives You can come up with a million and one excuses to justify eating that piece of candy, but what happens when Halloween is over, and you're still making those excuses to finish the candy that's left behind in the house. We all know, sugary foods are addictive. The bite-size chocolate tastes great for a few seconds. However, the lasting cravings and mental battle to find self-control is difficult. You may also find yourself in a physical battle with dumping syndrome after gastric bypass surgery when consuming sugar. Everything in moderation works when self-control is paired with it. If you are not comfortable with making that decision, look for some healthy alternatives. This is where the preparation and planning come into play. Some alternatives to handing out candy at Halloween include: Halloween themed toys, like vampire teeth Temporary tattoos Glow sticks Raisins Trail mix Don't make excuses. There are plenty of ways to get creative! Trick Or Treating What happens when the kids bring home bags of sugary treats? Always have a plan so that you are not caught off guard. Practicing a healthy environment in the household can benefit everyone. Some advice would be to only allow the kids to keep their top 10 favorite treats and get rid of the rest. You can take extra candy to a buyback program. Yes, this is a thing. Not only are you trying to keep the sweet treats out of the house, but so is your local dentist. Dental practices and some local health food stores will buy back the candy you don't want. Another option may be to find a program that donates candy to the military troops. Do some digging and implement a plan before Halloween night. Halloween Parties You don't have to avoid the Halloween parties because of the food. Instead, offer to bring your own bariatric friendly dish. No one will deny you bringing food that they don't have to make. Have fun with it! Look up different bariatric friendly recipes that others can enjoy as well. Bariatric-Friendly Alcoholic Beverages Unfortunately, alcoholic beverages offer empty calories and can be high in sugar. Alcohol after gastric sleeve and other bariatric procedures is metabolized differently and should not be treated the same as before surgery. Many cocktails are mixed with carbonated beverages. We know that carbonated beverages are not recommended after bariatric surgery considering they cause GI issues. Avoid the alcohol and enjoy a fun mocktail! There are plenty of websites out there that offer fun bariatric friendly non-alcoholic cocktails that can easily fit into your bariatric diet. If you still choose to have an alcoholic drink, make sure you have a discussion with your healthcare provider beforehand to ensure it will not interfere with your recovery. The following tips will help you manage alcohol consumption after bariatric surgery: Set boundaries Limit your intake Hydrate Stay away from syrups and creamy additives Avoid sugary fruit juices and carbonation Support Having a support system is always beneficial, whether it comes from family, friends, or your healthcare team. If you can't seem to fight the overwhelming feeling of the holidays, try tuning in to a support group. You can hear from other bariatric patients and how they manage the holiday season. If a healthcare professional, such as a dietitian, is hosting the support group, you can ask for their advice as well. Don't be afraid to utilize the bariatric resources around you. Conclusion Don't let the holiday season ruin the work you've put in after bariatric surgery. Remember the consequences of straying from your bariatric diet and healthy lifestyle. There are always healthy alternatives and ways to plan ahead in order to be prepared. Take advantage of the bariatric resources available to you for a successful weight loss journey. Consider Reading These Articles: A Bariatric Patients Guide to Surviving the Holiday Season 5 Tips To Healthy Eating After Bariatric Surgery Weight Plateau After Bariatric Surgery Setting Realistic Goals and Staying Motivated After Bariatric Surgery This blog is for information and education purposes only. This information is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your bariatric surgeon or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions in regards to a medical condition. A qualified healthcare professional can best assist you in deciding whether a dietary supplement is suitable based on your individual needs.