As the seasons change so does our need for comfort food. Perhaps it first starts with that wonderful autumn ritual of Halloween and the first “right” to feed our cravings in unabashed ways. We know there’s no longer worry for “swim suit season” unless we have a Christmas cruise already booked, so we can let our proverbial hair down — if even for a moment. But what happens with that moment is that it turns to two, three, or more moments and by the time spring rolls her sleepy eyes around we’ve packed on some poundage that we may not be most proud of.So, how do we counter such a Halloween-induced horror from occurring? Well, you can start by tapping into the ten healthy food chains mentioned in a previous post, and then you can move on to some healthier at-home eating habits as well. I know, sounds kinda boring and still horrifying, doesn’t it? Fear not, it’s not going to be as tough as it sounds and there will still be a lot of the comforts that we associate with winter eating to be had.One wonderful thing about eating healthy in winter is the increased need for carbohydrates due to serotonin levels being decreased as sunny days become diminished. What that means is that if you do have a serving of mashed potatoes with your meals once or twice a week you’re actually helping to combat the serotonin deficiencies. Just remember the watchword: moderation. You can only use the serotonin excuse a few times before you start to sound like a junkie trying to qualify their next “fix.”Another plus to winter eating is the changing landscape of the produce department. Sure, you may miss your summer berries but learn to look to other healthy options like cranberries and pomegranates as well as the huge array of root vegetables you’ll not only be adding some color and texture to your plate but some incredible nutrition, as well.And if you still find yourself craving some wonderful winter comfort foods like broccoli cheese soup or meat-dense stews and casseroles, go ahead and allow yourself the privilege of the delights they bring just remember that you’re going to have to put in a little extra time at the gym or on your nightly walk (hey, it’s not that cold to skip those) to counter the increased calorie count.And last, the passing of summer and the closing of the door on evening ice cream treats does not mean you can open the door to warm pies or fruit crisps it just means that you must continue to balance what goes in with the energy that goes out; and if you’re not expending the same levels of energy as you did in June, July, and August you best not keep the same caloric intake in November, December, and January.Yep, Halloween is just around the corner and the candy will be out. Just remember that the first piece you unwrap will “unleash the hounds” so to speak, so make sure you’re fully prepared for that onslaught.