It can be sheer torture facing the overwhelming displays of treats.

This is especially the case for those of us struggling with food, weight, and body image issues and disorders.

It’s that time of year again—the “candy holidays,” are well underway and have been since they kicked off at Halloween.

Indeed, for a lot of us out there, the holiday can trigger disordered eating patterns.

We can’t stop the “candy holidays” from coming. So, what do we do? It’s not an easy situation, but we can look for perspective and help.

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:23

Candy, by itself, is neither evil nor good. It’s inanimate. It has no nutritional value, and yes, it’s loaded with sugar, other preservatives, and colors. The “moderation” issue, therefore, comes into play. You and I will probably not die or experience the worst-case scenario (whatever we define that to be for our lives—such as the notoriously dreaded “getting fat”) if we eat some candy from time to time in our lives. And I say that as a current survivor of both eating disorders and breast cancer.

We would probably benefit from looking at eating candy as a choice; thus, it is “lawful,” or permissible, but does it “edify?” In other words, what’s the benefit, both physically and emotionally? Are we made truly happy—is our soul “nourished” from the dense “goodness” of a Snickers, or do we feel as empty as the airiness of a Three Musketeers bar after eating it?

The constant staples in our lives need to be healthy choices: nutritious food, balanced exercise, sleep, quality relationships, nurturing support, and numerous daily spiritual, emotional, and physiological practices. That applies to each of us; it doesn’t require an eating disorder or cancer diagnosis to make that point relevant. It is about an overall healthy lifestyle, not if we ate a piece of candy corn today.

Yes, it’s challenging facing the overwhelming flavors, colors, choices, and emotional ties that Halloween candy can represent to us. But remember, there is credence to a life that includes enjoyment.

Are we taking time to enjoy the sweetness of our lives?

For some of us out there, doing the former may mean eating some candy today; for others, it may mean choosing another option.

Regardless of what we choose—to candy or not to candy—it would probably do some good to look at these treats with new eyes today.

Candy is not our best friend or our worst enemy. And we—our lives, our health—are so much more valuable than its existence.

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