5 Healthy Halloween Swaps for Every Kind of Candy Craving

We don’t mean to frighten you, but we’re closing in on one of the most unhealthy holidays of the year. And though you may head into Halloween armed with the best intentions, if you aren’t prepared, one whiff of all those sweet treats could be all it takes to send you spiraling into a dark hole of diet destruction.

Never fear! We’ve got you covered with simple snacking swaps sure to scare off even the worst candy craving. Stock up on these slim-down staples now, and enjoy a happy and healthy Halloween!

14 Reasons to Have (A Little!) Chocolate Today

Treat: Milk Chocolate Bar
Trim-Down Trick: Chocolate Milk

We’re sweet on this swap for a few reasons: With this decadent drink, you’ll not only calm chocolate cravings, but your body will also get a boost from nutrients like calcium and vitamin D found in milk. Try making your own chocolate milk by blending one cup of nonfat milk with one tablespoon of dark chocolate syrup.

Craving something cozier? Mix one tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder with your favorite zero-calorie natural sweetener (think stevia or monk fruit) and one cup of nonfat milk for a healthier hot chocolate that won’t wreck your waistline.

One cup of nonfat milk counts as one PowerFuel on Nutrisystem. One tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder is a Free Food on Nutrisystem; one tablespoon of dark chocolate syrup counts as about two Extras. Healthy hint: check your Nutrisystem Grocery Guide for more guidance!

Make sure to also check out this recipe for healthy 3-Ingredient Salted Orange Bark Bars! >

Treat: Peanut Butter Cups
Trim-Down Trick: 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups

This recipe for Peanut Butter Cups tastes just like the real thing, but without all the guilt. All you need is chocolate, peanut butter and some coconut oil and voila! PB cups you’ll love.

Just as tasty? Chocolate PB melts. Just bring a small pot to medium heat on the stovetop, then add an ounce of dark chocolate, two tablespoons of peanut butter and two to three tablespoons of unsweetened almond milk. Stir until the chocolate and peanut butter are melted and the mixture is blended. Let cool then pour quarter-sized droplets onto a greased pan and place the pan in the freezer. Once the melts are solid enough to pick up, dive right in! This recipe makes two servings; on Nutrisystem, one serving counts as one PowerFuel and two Extras.

Another diet-friendly way to enjoy everyone’s favorite flavor combo? This 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Candy Bites recipe! >

5 Ways to Lose Belly Fat

Treat: Gummy Bears (or any gummy candy!)
Trim-Down Trick: Dried Fruit

Noshing on dried fruit is a great way to satisfy cravings for something chewy and sweet without all the calories and added sugar in traditional gummy candies. Try dried apricots, apples, pineapples, figs or raisins. Just be sure to read the ingredients and skip the fruits with added sugars.

You can also make your own dried berries. Just spread your favorites on a baking sheet and bake for six to eight hours at 200 degrees. Just be sure to check on your fruit every hour or so to prevent burning. On Nutrisystem, a quarter cup of most dried fruits counts as one SmartCarb.

You can also turn dried fruit into another sweet snack: Try this recipe for Frozen Yogurt Bark! >

Treat: Skittles
Trim-Down Trick: Frozen Red Grapes

We know, we know. It’s easy to be skeptical of any suggestion that involves replacing candy with fruit. But frozen grapes are the perfect combo―sweet and crunchy. Mix in some frozen blueberries and green grapes as well, and you’ll literally be tasting the rainbow! On Nutrisystem, one cup of these fruits counts as one SmartCarb.

Make a chewy sweet treat with a handful of wholesome ingredients. Try this Strawberry Kiwi Fruit Leather! >

6 Easy Ways to Lose Weight This Fall

Treat: Peppermint Patty
Trim-Down Trick: Chocolate Mint Tea

If chocolate and mint is your flavor of choice, brew a large cup of mint tea, then stir in two tablespoons of sweetened cocoa powder and two tablespoons of non-fat milk. You’ll get all the taste of your favorite treat―without any of the guilt! On Nutrisystem, this cozy combo counts as three Extras.

Craving something sweeter? Try this delicious recipe for Halloween Chocolate Peppermint Gems! >

The post 5 Healthy Halloween Swaps for Every Kind of Candy Craving appeared first on The Leaf.

How to Make Your Own (Delicious!) Salsa

Olé! Today we’re celebrating salsa—because there’s no better way to incorporate some of summer’s best flavors, and enjoy a guilt-free, flavor-packed snack—a cup of the homemade versions (like the one below) will count as one Vegetable on your Nutrisystem plan. So let’s get this salsa party started! NUTRITION SPOTLIGHT: TOMATOES One of our favorite stars of summer produce is the humble tomato. In addition to being downright delicious, these ruby red beauties pack a nutritional punch, dishing out heart-healthy potassium and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. How to Slice A Handful of Cherry Tomatoes in Seconds Read More RECIPE: FRESH TOMATO SALSA Here’s our go-to recipe for basic fresh tomato salsa. Prep takes less than 10 minutes and you can enjoy it right away or let it chill in the fridge for an hour to allow the flavors to combine. Count one cup (about a quarter of the recipe) as one Vegetable. Ingredients: 4 vine-ripened tomatoes, rough chopped 1/4 red onion, rough chopped 1/4...

How to Save 600 Calories a Day

By now you know: Losing weight boils down to using up more calories than you consume. It seems simple enough. The hard part is actually making it happen. But cutting calories and dieting doesn’t have to mean cutting out all your favorite foods. Don’t believe us? Check out these four simple swaps guaranteed to save you over 600 calories a day without putting the kibosh on your favorite flavors: Drink fat-free milk instead of whole Replace your whole milk habit with a fat-free fix, and for every 16 ounces you trade, you’ll save over 130 calories. Feeling adventurous? Opt for unsweetened almond milk instead of your whole milk, and you’ll save even more—over 230 calories per 16 ounces. 6 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Snacking Swap regular soda for seltzer water One 20 ounce regular Pepsi clocks in at 250 calories*. Substitute just one regular soft drink a day with a seltzer or sparkling water, and you won’t just save yourself 250 calories, you’ll also spare your...

Monday Motivation: 10 Workday Habits of Healthy People

Spending a good chunk of your day inside an office, plopped and stressed in front of a computer, can take a toll on your health, frame of mind and diet. You’re likely not moving your body enough and perhaps sticking your hand in the communal candy bowl a little too much. Making a few small changes to your workday routine or office space can help you stick to your diet plan, shed unwanted pounds and even sneak in a little exercise and added weight loss motivation! 9 Sneaky Fat Traps at the Office You Need to Avoid Read More Here are 10 simple strategies to help you stay healthy at work: 1. Fill up before work. Eating a nutritious breakfast not only helps provide the fuel you need to begin your workday but can also help you lose weight and keep it off. A survey from The National Weight Control Registry showed that the majority of people who maintained a 30-pound weight loss for one year or more ate a breakfast. Plus, according to Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, studies ...

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