Halloween used to be a tricky time for me, because of all the candy. I was always afraid I would overeat, gain weight and hate myself for it.

The aisles of colorful candy were hard for me to ignore, and my strategies for “managing” my candy intake became more elaborate each year.

If you’ve ever struggled with balancing holiday treats and Halloween candy, my story might sound familiar.

I transformed my mindset around candy—and you can too.

For years, I cycled through various strategies to avoid Halloween candy temptations:

• I bought candy and tried not to eat it!!!

The tactic of not buying candy never worked as planned! I’d buy a stash and vow to leave it alone until Halloween. Inevitably, I’d sneak a piece here and there until I had to replenish it. I would constantly think about the candy and feel compelled to eat it.

• I tried not buying candy at all.

My next strategy was to avoid buying it altogether. This strategy worked, because it was not in my house. I felt uncomfortable because I was avoiding dealing with candy. I wanted to feel comfortable with candy around AND not eat it all.

• Avoiding Trick-or-Treaters was one of my interesting plans.

For years I would go to the gym on Halloween night to avoid being home when trick-or-treaters came by. If I got home while they were still out, I would hide in my bedroom and keep all the lights off. I feared Halloween for all of the wrong reasons.

• Escaping to a Friend’s House

Some years. I would go to my friend’s house for the night to skip the candy stress. I thought if I just avoided the candy, I would be ok.

My husband LOVES to give out Halloween Candy.

I realized while I was dating my husband that he loves giving out Halloween candy to neighborhood kids.

Since he gave out candy and it was in the house, I realized I needed to come up with a different plan.

Next, when my daughter arrived, I knew it was time for a real change.

I found Intuitive Eating is the key component to heal my relationship with Halloween Candy.

Intuitive Eating showed me that food doesn’t have to be the enemy. I didn’t have to “manage” or “control” candy or any other foods. This idea was incredibly freeing, though it took some time to fully embrace.

Key Lessons in My Food Freedom Journey

There some components to help you understand how to use Intuitive Eating.

First, candy isn’t the enemy.

Realizing that there are no “bad” foods—even candy—was huge for me. Halloween candy wasn’t going to harm me, and I didn’t need to label it as something forbidden. When I take candy off of the “bad” list, it does not have power over me.

Second, fear and candy don’t have to go together.

Candy used to scare me because I feared losing control, gaining weight, or somehow “failing” my health goals. By letting go of these fears, I allowed myself to see candy as just candy. If I feel the fear, I focus on dealing with the fear NOT the candy.

Third, allowing myself to enjoy Halloween Candy.

Since I give myself permission to eat candy whenever I felt like it, removed its power over me. It was no longer a “special” or “forbidden” treat. It was just a choice, like any other. I have allowed myself to have candy throughout the year and it is not something special to be binged on at Halloween.

How you can begin your Own Journey Toward Candy Freedom???

If you’re working to make peace with candy (or any food), try these steps:

1. Challenge your thoughts about Halloween candy.

You can reflect on why candy feels scary.

• Are you worried about weight gain?
• Concerned about feeling out of control?
• Do you fear “unhealthy” eating?

I like to notice the emotions and thoughts that come up and journal about them. Through the journalling process, I can determine what the feels really mean to me. Once I can see/feel the feelings and determine what I need, then candy is not all powerful.

2. Explore your beliefs around candy

• What messages have you received about candy?
• Do you associate it with guilt?
• Question where these ideas came from and whether they still serve you.

As you explore your beliefs about candy you can see if they are true or not.

3. Bring in Self-Compassion

If you were approaching candy with kindness rather than fear, what would that look like? Remember, self-restriction doesn’t work in the long term. True balance means allowing yourself to have candy without guilt.

4. Practice Mindfulness to be present with the candy.

When you choose to eat candy, do it mindfully.

• Savor the taste of the candy.
• Enjoy the experience of the Halloween candy.
• Do you like the taste?
• Is there a point where it does not taste good anymore?

You might find that, over time, candy becomes far less of a big deal.

Now, I happily give out candy to our neighborhood kids. When my daughter returns with her Halloween haul, I can share a piece without the slightest worry.

Candy is just another food, and Halloween is just one day.

If you’re tired of feeling out of control around candy, know that there’s hope. You, too, can find food freedom. By rethinking your relationship with candy, you can make Halloween (and every day) a little sweeter. ??

Kim McLaughlin, MA is a Psychotherapist, Speaker, Author, and Coach who specializes in working with people who suffer from binge eating and emotional eating. She is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. She is the author of the best-selling book Feed Your Soul Nourish Your Life! A Six Step System to Peace with Food and the Amazon #1 Best Selling book Discovery Your Inspiration.

You can find Kim on her podcast Feed Your Soul with Kim and you can find it on all podcast platforms.

Wondering if you are an emotional eater? Sign up for the free Am I an Emotional Eater Quiz.