What does a nutritionist and naturopath do for Halloween?

So here it is - my daughter’s second biggest event of the year after Christmas - Halloween! The dark nights, the dressing up, the trick-or-treating around the neighbourhood and of course, the sweets are all the flavour of the occasion!

So you might think, what on earth does a nutritionist and naturopath do for Halloween?!?!

Well, if it wasn’t for my children who are growing up in a society that is driven by refined sugar and nutritionally empty, yet highly addictive ‘treats’, I would honestly just keep doing what I am doing and make my own nutritious & healthy sweet treats shared with the family simply by adjusting the colouring of my nutritious and refined sugar-free biscuits or cupcakes or spreading some scrumptious orange & black coconut icing over it. I also love bringing in seasonal veg and fruits and ‘dressing’ them for the occasion. For example, pumpkin seeds dried and spiced with autumnal flavours such as cinnamon and clove are a wonderful way to bring the occasion together with the seasonal produce. Or mandarin oranges peeled and a little piece of celery stuck into the top of them, makes them look like miniature pumpkins. All that is great to make at home for the table, and for a little family party I would definitely do that.

However, when it comes to trick-or-treating that doesn’t really work. Because all my efforts, blood, sweat and tears will not be appreciated by a single one of the little monsters and witches that may be knocking on my door at night. Their taste buds are accustomed to refined sugars and not even Dracula himself would be able to convert them overnight to the ‘other side’. ;-)

So here is what I do: I generally live by the motto 80-20. 80% (or more) nutritious, alive and delicious and mainly plant-based foods that are alkalising for our body. 20% (or less) can be of the not so nutritious or healthy choices that are more acidic to the body, which in my case would include alcohol, meat, the occasional Starbucks, shop-bought gluten free breads and the rare pizza. We are all human and not super-human.

As long as we aim to achieve this 80-20 ratio, we can rest assured that we are doing well in creating a strong and resilient internal environment inside of our bodies that will either withstand dis-ease or move through it quickly and with ease. The problems arise when our internal environment inside of our bodies has become highly acidic which creates the breeding ground for an unbalanced overgrowth of bacteria, viruses and general pathogens. We have to remember that bacteria, viruses and pathogens are ALWAYS part of our lives AND part of our bodies. We in fact live in symbiotic relationship with them, but it is the PH level of our internal environment, our so called internal soil, that determines the unwanted overgrowth of bacteria, viruses and pathogens which in large numbers would become harmful to us. Whereas, in small numbers they are harmless and often go unnoticed in our system.

Overall, I make sure to raise my children along the 80-20 ratio, so the odd refined-sugar-sweet is allowed whilst 80% of their diet is rich in fibrous and colourful vegetables, nutritious plant proteins, whole grains, organic fruit and the odd piece of meat or fish. Given how well they eat and how we continuously share the concept of healthy eating at home to ensure they learn the basic principles of it at a young age, I rest in peace that the Halloween sweetie frenzy is a rare occasion. It gives them a wonderful social experience with their peers and our friends and neighbours that would be more upsetting for them to miss than it would be for their bodies to clean up internally after a handful of sweets (or two ;).

However, I always teach my kids and my clients to not eat refined sugary sweets on an empty stomach. Firstly it calls for that sickly feeling to rise quicker, spike blood sugar levels immediately after eating (and cause behaviour changes in kids - just watch), but long term is also damaging to your stomach walls and can cause ulcers later on in life.

So have a protein snack like hummus and veg sticks to line your stomach before you dig into your bag of treats this Halloween! I will be eating cayenne-peppered pumpkin seeds instead! :-)

Did you find this blog post helpful? I'd love you hear how you celebrate Halloween in your family. Let me know in the comment below.

Love Kristin xx