Halloween’s a-coming and, let’s face it, many of us are more frightened of what’ll come home in the goodie bag (or beckon from the basket long after the last trick-or-treater has come calling) than even the scariest ghoul. The good news is; practicing mindfulness now can help ward off those wicked pounds that often appear between now and the new year. Here are three questions to ask yourself before delving into any kind of sweet:

• Is there a lighter option that would still satisfy me? And by lighter, I don’t mean Snackwells or low fat. I mean angel food versus pound cake, poached pear versus triple chocolate torte. Desserts that get their fluff from egg whites and sweetness from fruit or fruit purees tend to be lighter on the whole.
• How badly do I really want this? If you’ve been craving chocolate gelato from that little Italian place on the corner all week (am I giving away too much?), a frozen yogurt probably isn’t going to cut it. But if you’ve simply got a generic sweet tooth, then it might just do you fine. Save the decadent splurges for when the urge hits hard.
• Can I eat just a few bites? Cheryl’s piece from last Friday, Making Sense of Moderation, touched on this point. If you’re opting for opulence, think about serving yourself a miniature portion; our sense of flavor wanes with each bite, so even if you just have a taste you’re still getting the very best.

This week, as you’re tempted to nibble, be mindful and pick your treats wisely.