By now you know from reading our blog that although we’re registered dietitians and personal trainers who love our veggies, we also have a nasty sweet tooth that we work hard to keep in check! We’ve experimented to learn all of the secrets and what we know what works for us and our clients.  So here you have it– tried and true tips to keep candy from getting the best of you!

Trick 1: Keep your taste buds busy
The candy dish that has secured a permanent spot on your coworker’s desk is a lot less tempting when you’re already enjoying the flavor of sugar-free gum (there are several that use all-natural, sugar-free sweeteners). Stock up on your favorite flavors and keep it with you at all times, and before heading into any tempting situation, take a moment to remind yourself that you’re going to chew the gum and not the sugary sweets. And for extra protection against a sugar binge, don’t hesitate to politely ask your candy-carrying colleagues to store the goodies in a drawer. Out of sight, out of mouth!

Trick 2: Sneak in smart snacks

Toting satisfying snacks with you wherever you go can stop candy cravings before they start. Focus on fiber and protein options to help you stay energized and satisfied between meals. Our pick for a quick bite: pistachios. They’re perfect for tossing into purses and gym bags, and of all the nuts in the tree, they’re one of the highest in protein and fiber, and among the lowest in fat and calories. We like Wonderful Pistachios, which makes pre-portioned 100-calorie packs, perfect for on-the-go noshing.

Trick 3: Rework your leftovers
Try making your own 100-calorie packs with your favorite indulgences that would typically get out of hand. Pre-portioned treats will keep you satisfied and prevent overboard eating.  A smart move: commit to having just one bag on days when a candy craving hits. To make your 100-calorie packs, try any of these (these are typical Halloween faves, but let’s face it, you can find them all year round! 🙂 )  4 Hershey Kisses, 2 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups miniatures, 2 mini Nestle Crunch bars, 4 Tootsie Roll midges, 4 rolls of Smarties, 3 Laffy Taffy candies, 2 fun-size Milk Duds, 2 mini York Peppermint Patties, or 4 Jolly Rancher hard candies.

Trick 4: Don’t toss your trash
Save your wrappers and keep them with you. They’re a visual reminder of exactly how much you’ve eaten. There’s no forgetting that you scarfed an entire bag of Snickers minis last night if you’re faced with the proof.

Trick 5: Do your research
Learn how many runs and reps you’ll have to do in order to burn off your indulgence. Knowing you have to jog for an hour just to burn off a few measly candy bars may be enough motivation to keep your hand out of the bag.

Tammy Lakatos Shames and Elysse “Lyssie” Lakatos—otherwise known as the Nutrition Twins—are registered dietitians, certified personal trainers, and authors of The Nutrition Twins’ Veggie Cure: Expert Advice and Tantalizing Recipes for Health, Energy and Beauty