Newswise — MAYWOOD, Ill. - Watch out for that post-Halloween sugar crash on Thursday, as well-meaning co-workers bring in buckets and bowls of leftover candy.

You should be aware that dipping into the Halloween candy bowl can expand your waistline and decrease your productivity, said registered dietitian Gina Neill of Loyola University Health System.

A sugar high can lead to a few minutes of initial alertness and provide a short burst of energy. But beware of the scary sugar crash. When the sugar high wears off, you'll feel tired, fatigued and hungry.

Neill offers these tips for coping with the coming abundance of office candy:

-Make a pact with your co-workers to not bring in leftover candy.

-Eat breakfast, so you don't come to work hungry.

-Bring in alternative healthy snacks, such as low-fat yogurt, small low-fat cheese sticks, carrot sticks or cucumber slices. "Vegetables are a great healthy snack. You can’t overdose on vegetables," Neill said.

-Be festive without being unhealthy. Blackberries and cantaloupe are a fun way to celebrate with traditional orange and black fare without packing on the holiday pounds. Bring this to the office instead of candy as a creative and candy-free way to participate in the holiday fun.

-If you must bring in candy, put it in an out-of-the-way location. "Don't put it in people's faces so they mindlessly eat it," Neill said. She cited one study that found that office workers ate an average of nine Hershey's Kisses per week when the candy was conveniently placed on top of the desk, but only six Kisses when placed in a desk drawer and three Kisses when placed two feet from the desk. (The study was conducted by James Painter of Eastern Illinois University.)

-If you have to have a treat, try to limit yourself to a small, bite-size piece. Moderation is key.

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