Halloween is the start of the difficult diet season for me. Not only are the holidays filled with yummy fattening treats, but its cold which leads me to want to eat comfort food and move less. However, you can allow yourself a few treats as long as you do so in moderation. If Halloween is a challenge to you, check out the resent issue of Women’s Health Magazine that lists a variety of candy in 100 calorie equivalents. The list includes:

• 13 1/3 Candy Corn
• 28 M&M’s
• 60 Smarties
• 2 Twix Minis
• 1 1/4 Snickers Fun Size
• 4 1/2 Tootsie Roll Midges

Nothing does a diet in faster than the monthly cravings that come with PMS. For many women the need for chocolate and simple carbs (sugar and refined foods) are too much to withstand. But by giving in a woman can undo all the work she’s done to lose weight.

However there may be a cure. Health experts suggest that the cravings are due in part to changes in hormones and its impact on insulin. In essence, the body craves fuel. The treatment is to have more complex carbs and fiber. This involves switching out the white breads and pastas with whole grains. Fruits and veggies are also high in fiber and offer some sweetness to help curb the sweet tooth.

I know this is easier said than done. But the goal is to not worry about losing weight during the menstrual cycle, but instead to try not to gain weight. So you can indulge a little bit. In may case, I’m trying the complex carb option, but I still have my daily dose of dark chocolate. Some things I just can’t give up.