Friday Fit Tips: Trick or Treat!

Some tips that I shared with my moms and babies class today:

Baby (Kid) Tip: Let your kids eat Halloween candy! In fact, let your kids eat candy throughout the year. Yep, you read correctly. A new study shows that kids who are allowed to eat candy are 22% less likely to be overweight. Why is this? Researchers are not completely sure, but I think it has to do something with the
"forbidden fruit" being a little less attractive when it is something that is allowed in moderation. It still might be wise to look for some candy options that have redeeming value, like healthy fats from nuts or sweetened with dried fruit like raisins.

Some more tips on choosing a candy bar can be found here.

Mom Tip: Whether or not you ate candy as a kid, indulge in some dark chocolate once in a while (or even every day). Dark chocolate has antioxidants and helps lower blood pressure. The higher the percentage of cocoa, the better. I find that if I have really dark chocolate (70-80%), then I want less of it because it is not as sweet. Somehow, it still satisfies my chocolate craving even though I am having less. Hershey's Dark Chocolate Squares are the perfect size for an after-meal sweet treat.

My latest healthy indulgence:

Emily's Mocha

Cup of Coffee

Unsweetened Baker's Chocolate

Organic Half and Half

Stevia in the Raw

Put a small chunk of the baker's chocolate in the bottom of your mug. Pour hot coffee on top. Add cream and as much stevia as you need to enjoy. Stir and sip:-)