At Schultz Financial Group (SFG), we view wealth differently through our Four Capital approach. Our team works with you to build your wealth across Four Capitals – Financial Matters, Physical Well-being, Intellectual Engagement, and Psychological Space. Fall has arrived, the leaves are changing color and cooler weather is here to stay. We’ve entered the season of family, celebrations and… food! First up is Halloween. Whether you are buying candy for your grandchildren, children or yourself (or trying to practice willpower), here are a few tricks and treats to support your physical well-being this Halloween.
TRICKS
Make Dinner Count. Before you reach for the candy, make yourself a healthy meal. Fill your plate with colorful vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats. Here is an example:
- Colorful Vegetables: Salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, garbanzo beans, walnuts or avocado, and dried cranberries
- Whole Grains: Quinoa (you can make this ahead of time and add it to your salad cold, or serve it warm alongside your salmon)
- Lean Protein: Grilled salmon
- Healthy Fat: The walnuts or avocado on your salad are full of healthy fat, and so is your salmon.
Moderation: This is a word you’ve likely heard on repeat, but there is a reason it hasn’t gone away. The impact that our food choices have on our health is cumulative. In other words, a sweet treat as part of a well-balanced dietary pattern won’t hurt.
Take a Budgetary Approach: And I don’t mean financial. There are foods that are more nutrient-dense, or health-promoting, than others (i.e. carrots vs. carrot cake). If you know Halloween candy is on the menu, perhaps skip the glass of wine with dinner. “Budget” your less healthy foods to ensure your daily menu is mostly nutrient-dense, health-promoting foods.
TREATS
Avoid Artificial. Quality matters. Rather than reaching for the candy that has a list of ingredients you can’t pronounce and a handful of artificial colors (synthetic dyes made from petroleum or coal), choose the candy with the shortest ingredient list, or at least the one with recognizable ingredients and the absence of color additives.*
Here are some of our favorites:
- Little Secrets: Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Pieces. Like peanut butter M&Ms, but without the synthetic dyes.
- Unreal Chocolates: Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars. A better alternative to an Almond Joy. Not only do these Unreal Coconut Bars have just 3 ingredients (compared to the 18 in the traditional Almond Joy, which includes a preservative and artificial flavor), but they also have about half of the amount of added sugar.
- Justin’s: Mini Peanut Butter Cups. Available in milk or dark chocolate, these are your mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with less sugar and no preservatives. If you want the full size, Justin’s makes those too!
Get Creative. If you have a little extra time on your hands, how about making your own Halloween treats? A quick Google Search of “Healthy Halloween Snacks” will provide enough ideas to keep you busy for many Halloweens to come. Here are a few simple, yet creative, ideas:
- Orange Jack O’Lanterns: Make a jack o’lantern out of an orange and fill it with your favorite fruit. Simply cut off the top, scoop out the inside, cut out the face, and fill with fruit of your choice!
- Ghost Bananas: Use chocolate chips (and nut butter to get them to stick) to convert your bananas to ghosts.
- Pumpkin Clementines: Stick a short piece of celery in the top of a peeled clementine to create little pumpkins.
Remember, Halloween only happens once a year. Try something new, have a little fun and don’t stress about indulging – the stress is likely more harmful than that extra piece of chocolate!
*Note: Color additives in food have been approved by the FDA, which labels them as ‘a reasonable certainty of no harm.’ However, studies suggest that some dyes are linked to cancer and hypersensitivity or behavioral problems in children. Furthermore, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) reports that some of the research used to determine dye safety is inadequate, or poorly designed.
References:
Forks over Knives Recipe Box. Haunting but Healthy Halloween Treats. Available at: https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/vegan-desserts/haunting-but-healthy-halloween-treats/
Potera C. The artificial food dye blues. Environ Health Perspect. 2010;118(10):A428. doi:10.1289/ehp.118-a428U.S. Food and Drug Administration. How Safe are Color Additives? Available at: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/how-safe-are-color-additives
Nicole Schultz Ninteau is the Physical Capital Resources Manager with Schultz Financial Group Inc.
Schultz Financial Group Inc. (SFG) is a wealth management firm located in Reno, NV. Our approach to wealth management is different from many other wealth managers, financial advisors, and financial planners. Our team of fee-only fiduciaries strives to help our clients build their wealth across four capitals: Financial Matters, Physical Well-being, Psychological Space, and Intellectual Engagement. We provide family office and wealth management services to clients located in Nevada, California, and other states. If you’d like more information, please check out our website or reach out to us via our contact page.