Which candies are better for your health. How can you enjoy sweets responsibly. What are the nutritional benefits of certain candies. Which candies should you limit or avoid. How do popular candy choices compare nutritionally.

Understanding the Impact of Candy on Your Health

Candy is often viewed as a guilty pleasure, but not all sweets are created equal when it comes to their impact on your health. While it’s true that most candies are high in sugar and should be consumed in moderation, some options offer surprising nutritional benefits. Let’s explore the world of candy and discover which treats might be better choices for your well-being.

The Role of Moderation in Candy Consumption

How can you enjoy candy without compromising your health? The key lies in moderation and mindful eating. Nutritionists recommend keeping candy out of sight, such as in the back of your pantry or in the freezer, to reduce constant temptation. Enjoying candy as a planned dessert rather than mindlessly snacking can help you savor the experience and prevent overindulgence.

Choosing Quality Over Quantity

When selecting candy, it’s important to prioritize what you truly enjoy rather than being swayed by “fat-free” labels or calorie counts. Mia Syn, RDN, emphasizes that the best candy choice is one you can eat and enjoy in moderation. By focusing on quality and personal preference, you’re more likely to feel satisfied with smaller portions.

The 6 Healthiest Candy Options: A Closer Look

While no candy can be considered a health food, some options offer more nutritional benefits than others. Here are six candies that nutritionists consider to be relatively healthier choices:

1. UnReal Milk Chocolate Gems
2. Endangered Species Dark Chocolate Bites
3. Peanut M&Ms
4. Snickers
5. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
6. Blow Pops

1. UnReal Milk Chocolate Gems: A Natural Alternative

What makes UnReal Milk Chocolate Gems stand out? These candies are free from artificial flavors and colors, using natural sources like hibiscus and turmeric for coloring. While they still contain sugar, the mini 0.42-ounce bags provide a perfect single serving for those watching their intake.

Nutritional information per ounce:

• Calories: 140
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Sugar: 15g
• Protein: 3g

2. Endangered Species Dark Chocolate Bites: Heart-Healthy Indulgence

Why are dark chocolate bites considered a healthier option? With 88% cocoa content, these chocolates are lower in sugar and provide 3 grams of fiber per two squares. Research suggests that regular consumption of small amounts of dark chocolate may support heart health by lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. However, it’s crucial to enjoy these in moderation due to their saturated fat content.

Nutritional information for two pieces:

• Calories: 120
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Sugar: 2g
• Protein: 2g

3. Peanut M&Ms: A Protein-Packed Treat

How do Peanut M&Ms offer nutritional benefits? The inclusion of peanuts provides protein and fiber, which can help prevent blood sugar spikes and reduce the likelihood of overindulging. This combination of nutrients makes Peanut M&Ms a more satisfying option compared to candies that are purely sugar-based.

Nutritional information per “fun-size” pack:

• Calories: 90
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 10.5g
• Sugar: 9g
• Protein: 1.5g

Surprising Health Benefits of Popular Candies

Some well-known candy brands offer unexpected nutritional advantages when consumed in moderation. Let’s examine the potential benefits of Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Blow Pops.

Snickers: More Than Just a Candy Bar

Why do nutritionists recommend Snickers as a relatively healthier option? Despite its higher calorie content, a “fun-size” Snickers bar can be more satisfying due to its protein content. Additionally, it contains less sugar than many pure sugar candies, making it a more balanced choice for those craving a sweet treat.

Nutritional information per “fun-size” bar:

• Calories: 80
• Fat: 3.5g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Carbohydrates: 11g
• Sugar: 9g
• Protein: 1g

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: A Protein and Fiber Combo

What makes Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups a better choice than some other candies? The combination of protein and a small amount of fiber in these treats can help promote satiety. This nutritional profile may help prevent overconsumption, making it easier to enjoy in moderation.

Nutritional information per peanut butter cup:

• Calories: 110
• Fat: 6.5g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Sugar: 11g
• Protein: 2.5g

Blow Pops: A Long-Lasting Treat

How can Blow Pops be a practical candy choice? For those who prefer non-chocolate options, Blow Pops offer a lower sugar content compared to many other candies. The gum center provides extended enjoyment, potentially reducing the likelihood of reaching for additional sweets.

Nutritional information per pop:

• Calories: 70
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 17g
• Sugar: 13g
• Protein: 0g

The 5 Least Healthy Candy Options: What to Limit

While enjoying candy in moderation can be part of a balanced lifestyle, some options are best consumed sparingly due to their nutritional profiles. Here are five candies that nutritionists suggest limiting:

1. Candy Corn
2. Smarties
3. Sour Patch Kids
4. Airheads
5. Skittles

Candy Corn: A Festive but Sugar-Heavy Treat

Why is candy corn considered one of the least healthy candy options? Despite its festive appearance, candy corn contains more than double the sugar of candies like Snickers or Reese’s. Its lack of nutritional value and high sugar content make it a treat to enjoy sparingly, particularly during holiday seasons.

Nutritional information for 15 pieces:

• Calories: 110
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Sugar: 22g

Smarties: Empty Calories with Little Nutritional Value

What makes Smarties a less ideal candy choice? While low in calories, Smarties provide little to no nutritional value. These candies are essentially pure sugar, offering empty calories that provide no substantial benefits to your body.

Balancing Indulgence and Health: Strategies for Mindful Candy Consumption

How can you enjoy candy while maintaining a healthy lifestyle? Implementing mindful eating strategies can help you savor your favorite treats without compromising your well-being. Consider these approaches:

• Practice portion control by opting for fun-size or miniature versions of your favorite candies
• Pair candy with protein-rich foods to help stabilize blood sugar levels
• Choose dark chocolate options with higher cocoa content for potential health benefits
• Limit candy consumption to special occasions or planned dessert times
• Be mindful of sugar-free candies, which may contain artificial sweeteners that can cause digestive issues in large quantities

The Importance of Overall Diet Quality

While focusing on healthier candy options can be beneficial, it’s crucial to remember that candy should be viewed as an occasional treat rather than a dietary staple. Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is key to supporting overall health and well-being.

Navigating Special Dietary Needs: Candy Options for Various Lifestyles

How can individuals with specific dietary requirements enjoy candy? The candy market has evolved to cater to various nutritional needs and preferences. Here are some options for different dietary considerations:

Diabetic-Friendly Candy Choices

What candy options are available for people with diabetes? While individuals with diabetes should always consult their healthcare provider regarding sweets consumption, some candy options are formulated to have a lower impact on blood sugar levels:

• Sugar-free chocolate bars sweetened with stevia or erythritol
• Dark chocolate with high cocoa content (70% or higher)
• Sugar-free hard candies sweetened with sugar alcohols

Vegan and Plant-Based Candy Alternatives

How can those following vegan or plant-based diets satisfy their sweet tooth? Many candy manufacturers now offer vegan-friendly options:

• Dark chocolate bars made without milk products
• Fruit-based gummies made with plant-derived pectin instead of gelatin
• Candy bars made with alternative milk sources like oat or almond milk

Gluten-Free Candy Options

What candies are safe for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease? While many candies are naturally gluten-free, it’s essential to check labels for potential cross-contamination. Some gluten-free options include:

• Most plain chocolate bars
• Many types of gummy candies
• Hard candies and lollipops

The Future of Candy: Trends in Healthier Sweet Treats

How is the candy industry evolving to meet consumer demands for healthier options? As awareness of health and nutrition grows, candy manufacturers are innovating to create treats that align with modern dietary preferences:

Functional Candy

What are functional candies, and how do they differ from traditional sweets? Functional candies are designed to offer potential health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Examples include:

• Probiotic gummies for gut health
• Vitamin-fortified candies
• Energy-boosting chocolate bars with added caffeine or B vitamins

Natural and Organic Candy Options

How are natural and organic candies changing the sweets landscape? Many consumers are seeking candies made with simpler, more recognizable ingredients. This trend has led to the development of:

• Candies sweetened with natural alternatives like honey or maple syrup
• Organic chocolate bars made with ethically sourced cocoa
• Fruit-based candies made with real fruit juices and purees

Portion-Controlled Packaging

How are candy manufacturers helping consumers manage their intake? Many brands now offer smaller, portion-controlled packaging options to help individuals enjoy treats responsibly:

• Fun-size or mini versions of popular candy bars
• Individually wrapped pieces of chocolate or hard candy
• Resealable bags with clearly marked serving sizes

Making Informed Choices: Reading Candy Labels and Understanding Ingredients

How can consumers become more knowledgeable about the candies they choose? Understanding candy labels and ingredients is crucial for making informed decisions about your sweet treats. Here are some key factors to consider:

Decoding Sugar Content

What should you look for when assessing a candy’s sugar content? Pay attention to:

• Total grams of sugar per serving
• Different names for sugar on the ingredient list (e.g., high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, maltose)
• Presence of artificial sweeteners in sugar-free options

Identifying Artificial Additives

How can you spot artificial ingredients in candy? Look out for:

• Artificial colors (e.g., Red 40, Yellow 5)
• Artificial flavors
• Preservatives like BHT or TBHQ

Understanding Serving Sizes

Why is it important to pay attention to serving sizes on candy packaging? Serving sizes can be misleading, especially for smaller candies. Be aware that:

• A single package may contain multiple servings
• Nutritional information is typically based on a single serving
• Actual consumption often exceeds the stated serving size

By becoming more aware of these factors, you can make more informed choices about the candies you consume and how they fit into your overall diet.

The 6 Best and 5 Worst Candies for Your Health

First, put candy out of sight, like in the back of your pantry, or in the freezer, says Gorin. When it’s not staring you in the face, “you’re not constantly tempted by it,” she says. Eating it as a planned part of dessert rather than when you’re running around or doing other things — like working, or driving in the car — will help you truly enjoy it. Of course, you can and should enjoy festive candy, but there comes a point where it loses its luster and you may be eating it out of habit, so get rid of it after a week, Gorin advises.

Above all else, choose what you like best. (Yes, even regardless of the best and worst choices below!) If you truly enjoy what you’re eating, you’ll be satisfied by it. That means don’t let “fat-free” labels or calorie counts sway you from what you truly know you want. Mia Syn, RDN, who’s in private practice in Charleston, South Carolina, puts it simply: The best candy choice is the one you can eat and enjoy in moderation.

Now onto the sweet stuff. Here are the healthiest (and least healthy) candies, per Gorin and Syn:

The 6 Healthiest Candy Options

1. UnReal Milk Chocolate Gems

“I’m really impressed with these,” says Gorin. “The candy contains no artificial flavor or color, and the coloring comes from natural sources, like hibiscus and turmeric.” Because these contain a fair amount of sugar, though, you’ll want to stick with the mini 0.42-ounce (oz) bags, which are available on Amazon and make the perfect single serving.

What’s Inside 140 calories per oz, 7g fat, 4.5g saturated fat, 18g carbohydrate, 15g sugar, 3g protein

UnReal Milk Chocolate Gems Nutrition Info

2. Endangered Species Dark Chocolate Bites

These chocolates are low on the sugar scale, and two squares contain 3 grams (g) of fiber, too. That’s because the high level of cocoa (88 percent) means the the sugar content is lower. What’s more: “Research shows regularly eating a small amount of dark chocolate may help heart health by lowering risk of heart disease and stroke,” says Gorin. But again, be sure to enjoy in moderation, as these treats also contain saturated fat, which can instead be harmful to your heart if eaten in excess, according to the American Heart Association. The organization recommends taking in no more than 13 g of saturated fat per day.

What’s Inside 120 calories for two pieces, 9g fat, 6g saturated fat, 8g carbohydrate, 2g sugar, 2g protein

Dark Chocolate Bites with 88 percent Cocoa Nutrition Info

3. Peanut M&M’s

It’s got peanuts, which means you’ll get protein and fiber, which help prevent blood sugar spikes and overindulging, says Syn.

What’s Inside 90 calories per “fun-size” pack, 5g fat, 2g saturated fat, 10.5g carbohydrate, 9g sugar, 1.5g protein

M&M’s Peanut Fun-Size Chocolate Candies Nutrition Info

RELATED: What Candy Can People With Diabetes Eat and How Much Is Safe?

4.

 Snickers

Surprised? Although Snickers is relatively higher in calories than other candy, Gorin recommends a “fun-size” bar because it’s more likely to leave you satisfied, thanks to its filling protein. “It also has less sugar than some other candies that are almost entirely pure sugar,” she says.

What’s Inside 80 calories per “fun-size” bar, 3.5g fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 11g carbohydrate, 9g sugar, 1g protein

Snickers Original Fun-Size Nutrition Info

5. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

The satisfying combo of protein and (a small amount of) fiber makes this another good pick, says Gorin. Plus, around the holidays, it’s easy to find single cups (whereas they’re usually packaged as a double).

What’s Inside 110 calories per PB cup, 6.5g fat, 2g saturated fat, 12g carbohydrate, 11g sugar, 2.5g protein

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Nutrition Info

RELATED: 10 High-Fiber Foods to Add to Your Diet

6.  Blow Pop

For the non–chocolate lovers, a Blow Pop can be a practical pick. “It has less sugar than many of the other candies out there, and because of the gum center, you can enjoy it for longer,” says Gorin.

What’s Inside 70 calories per pop, 0g fat, 0g saturated fat, 17g carbohydrate, 13g sugar, 0g protein

Charm’s Blow Pops Nutrition Info

The 5 Least Healthy Candy Options

1. Candy Corn

It has a reputation as being one of the most hated candies, and an October 2018 CandyStore.com survey on the best and worst Halloween candy suggested this festive confection is indeed the second-most hated — second to Circus Peanuts. But regardless of whether you agree, candy corn certainly isn’t the most nutritious way to satisfy your sweet tooth. “It contains more than double the sugar of a Snickers or Reese’s,” says Gorin.

What’s Inside 110 calories for 15 pieces, 0g fat, 0g saturated fat, 22g sugar

Candy Corn Halloween Candy Nutrition Info

2.  Smarties

Yes, they’re low in calories, but those are purely empty calories, meaning “it’s devoid of nutrition,” says Syn. “They give your body energy it needs from calories but not the nutrition it needs, like protein and fiber,” she says.

What’s Inside 25 calories for 1 roll, 0g fat, 0g saturated fat, 6g carbohydrates, 6g sugar, 0g protein

Smarties Candy Rolls Nutrition Info

RELATED: How What You Eat Affects Your Teeth

3. Gummy Bears

Again, it’s pure sugar, so it’s unlikely to keep you as satisfied as chocolate, says Gorin.

What’s Inside 140 calories for 17 pieces, 0g fat, 0g saturated fat, 33g carbohydrates, 18g sugar, 2g protein

Haribo Goldbears Gummy Bears Nutrition Info

4. Jelly Beans

The package may get you because it says it’s fat free, but unless you absolutely love jelly beans — and can keep your portion reasonable — they’re still just sugar, says Gorin.

What’s Inside 100 calories per oz, 0g fat, 0g saturated fat, 25g carbohydrates, 20g sugar, 0g protein

Starburst Jellybeans Original Nutrition Info

RELATED: 7 Foods With More Sugar Than You Think

5. Airheads

Packed with artificial colors and flavors and pure sugar, these may take you back to when you were a kid, but they won’t satisfy.

What’s Inside 60 calories per bar, 0g fat, 0g saturated fat, 15g carbohydrates, 11g sugar, 0g protein

Airheads Nutrition Info

The (Surprising) Health Benefits of Candy

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, and apparently so does a little candy. (Shh, don’t tell your dentist.)

While too much refined sugar is associated with health problems, there’s plenty of evidence that moderate candy consumption can actually boost your wellbeing in a number of ways. Anyone with a sweet tooth already knows how some sour gummies or a piece of chocolate can reduce stress and improve your mood. But medicine is on our side, too.

Scroll down to learn the surprising health benefits of candy!

Eat candy, live longer.

A 1998 study on healthy college-age men found that those who regularly indulged in candy actually lived longer than those who didn’t. Life really is sweet!

The study didn’t distinguish between sugar candy and chocolate, so some of the life-extending effects may be caused by the antioxidant effects of chocolate phenols. Still, the evidence clearly shows that men who ate candy 1 to 3 times a month lived longer than those who ate it more regularly.

The most surprising part? Candy eaters of any frequency lived longer than men who never ate candy. So next time your dentist suggests a moratorium on your candy habit, tell them it’s for your health.

Chocolate can protect your heart from disease.

Good news, chocolate lovers. You probably already know chocolate can improve your mood, lower stress, curb cravings, and protect against stroke and dementia. But there’s also direct evidence of the heart health benefits of candy made from chocolate.

Wine-drinkers sing the praises of moderate red wine consumption as a defense against heart disease, but did you know chocolate carries similar benefits? 41 g of chocolate contains the same amount of phenol as a glass of red wine, along with the same antioxidant properties that promote heart health. Chocolate may even reduce the risk of dangerous heart arrhythmia.

Because of its higher flavanol content, dark chocolate contains more antioxidant properties than milk chocolate. These benefits may be linked not just to protection against heart disease, but also decreased blood pressure and even reduction of insulin sensitivity.

Chew gum to cheer up and buckle down.

If the health benefits of candy are surprising, the benefits of chewing gum are downright shocking. Psychology Today cites evidence that even a piece of chewing gum can improve your mood, reduce stress and pain, increase your focus, and even boost serotonin levels.

This is great news for anyone with a sweet tooth who’s looking to reduce their sugar intake for health reasons. Next time you need a pick-me-up at the office, try reaching for a sweet stick of gum.

Sugar can boost focus.

Most afternoons, snacks are an absolute must for getting through the end of the work day. That makes sense since your brain requires sugar – specifically glucose – to function well. When you’re low on glucose, which helps you complete tasks that require lots of willpower, you can feel groggy, foggy, and forgetful.

While there’s some disagreement on exactly how sugar affects the brain, it’s true that a shot of sugar can help you feel a boost in willpower. That translates to greater focus and productivity in the short term.

There’s even some evidence that just the taste of sugar can help improve focus. Since being in a good mood can help us feel more energized, it makes sense that something sweet can give us the final push we need to get through a difficult task.

Take care of yourself with Candy Club.

Now that you’re up to speed on the health benefits of candy, there’s no reason not to treat yourself. Candy Club takes the work out of sweet self-care by sending specially curated, gourmet candy boxes straight to your door. Choose between mostly sweets and mostly sours, and treat yourself or a loved one with the gift of candy today.

See what candy is healthiest— and unhealthiest

“I… want candy!” Admit it, that song has played in your head a bunch of times as you dreamed of what candy you were going to indulge in? I get it! I promise I do. I love sweets. In fact, I usually say that I don’t have a sweet tooth; I have a whole mouth of sweet teeth. So, yes, I’m a dietitian and I like sweets — consciously, that is.

A conscious indulgence is something I talk a lot about, especially as it relates to candy and sweets. There is a time and a place to indulge. The key is to find the healthiest version of the treat that best satisfies your craving (rather than trying to eat around the craving), so you don’t end up consuming more than if you’d just indulged in what you really wanted in the first place.

Here’s a list of some of the best and worst candy for when you just can’t get that song — or craving — out of your head.

Best Candy

Tootsie Pop

How many licks does it take? Well, if you use a little patience, it’s a lot. And that means you may be very satisfied with your chosen indulgence. It’s the portion control of a Tootsie Pop that puts it on this list.

The sugar stats: 10 grams sugar, 60 calories per serving (3 pops). This lollipop will make those 10 grams of sugar last a long time in candy land!

Related

HU Chocolate-Covered Hunks Almonds + Sea Salt

You can think of this as your uber upgraded version of peanut M&M’s. The first ingredient is almonds followed by organic cacao — two things that make my nutritionist’s heart smile. For comparison, the ingredient list on a package of M&M’s begins with sugar and is also, of course, loaded with artificial coloring. You’ll find all clean ingredients in Hu chocolate.

The sugar stats: 4 grams sugar, 90 calories (in 1 ounce — about a small handful). This is a conscious indulgence you can feel a little extra good about.

Project 7 Gummy Bears

Where are my gummy candy people? This one’s for you. Project 7 Gummy Bears contain 3 grams of sugar for a 1.7-ounce bag, that’s about 87% less than the traditional kind. They’re also made without artificial sweeteners, using allulose instead. This is a new-ish ingredient to the market and research is still being done, but preliminary research is looking good for this sugar alternative. When you purchase this candy you’re also making a positive impact — proceeds go to seven areas in need.

The sugar stats: 3 grams sugar, 60 calories (22 gummy bears). The low sugar content will make you feel better giving these to the kids too.

Related

Justin’s Organic Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

I’ve never met a PB and chocolate combo I didn’t like, but this one is at the top of the list. This is your better-for-you version of a Reese’s. Justin’s uses organic dark chocolate and peanuts, as well as sustainably sourced palm fruit oil.

The sugar stats: 16 grams of sugar, 220 calories (2 per pack). Why not share with a friend? You’ll still get that sweet fix!

Worst

Skittles

A sugar and food coloring bomb is what this old-school favorite is going to give you. Skittles have 47 grams of sugar in a pack, which isn’t surprising as the first two ingredients on the label are sugar and corn syrup. They also contain hydrogenated palm kernel oil aka trans fats, which are the worst kind of fats for your body.

Sugar stats: 47 grams of sugar, 250 calories (a 2.17-ounce bag)

Starbursts

When you can’t pronounce most of the product’s ingredients, it’s safe to say you probably shouldn’t eat it. There is just no nutritional value here, friends — zero grams of dietary fiber, no protein and high in sugar. Similar to Skittles, Starbursts packs 34 grams of sugar in that package that you end up eating before the movie even starts.

The sugar stats: 34 grams of sugar, 240 calories (a 2.07-ounce pack)

Airheads

Sugar, corn syrup, maltodextrin, dextrose, modified food starch (corn), partially hydrogenated soybean oil — sound yummy? Those are the main ingredients in Airheads. Aside from the scary ingredient list, gummy candy, in general, is particularly bad for you (as far as sugar goes) because the candy gets stuck in between your teeth, which then feeds decay-causing bacteria. Also, many of these types of candies are acidic, which is a problem for tooth enamel. The sugar stats below may look similar to Tootsie Pops, but when you compare serving size and these spooky ingredients, Tootsie Pops come out on top.

The sugar stats: 9 grams of sugar, 60 calories (a 0.55-ounce bar)

Related

Snickers

Snickers may have won TODAY’s 2020 Bracketween challenge, but this sugar and fat combo is the worst mix you can indulge in. A recent study found that sugar and fat together have a “supra-additive effect” on the pleasure center of our brain, which explains why we can’t just eat one. These foods literally make us feel good. So, a Snickers may satisfy you, but it isn’t going to win any health awards.

Aside from all the sugar it contains, a single bar has 16 grams of fat — with 6.4 grams of that being trans fats. These artificial fats not only raise your “bad” cholesterol and lower your “good” cholesterol, they can cause inflammation and a spike in C-reactive protein, which may ultimately increase your risk of a heart attack, according to some studies. Yikes!

The sugar stats: 30 grams sugar, 280 calories (a 1.86-ounce bar)

Related:

Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN, is a renowned nutritionist, healthy cooking expert and wellness thought-leader. She is the founder and CEO of Nutritious Life, a lifestyle and media company devoted to helping individuals discover and live their most nutritious (and happiest!) lives. Follow Keri on Instagram @nutritiouslifeofficial.

Ranking The Healthiest Candy Bars

Scroll down to the bottom of this post for a full sortable chart of candy bars so you can see how the exact nutrition stacks up!

What is actually the healthiest candy bar?

Much like donuts or fast food, that’s an impossible question to answer.

Why? Well, because we all define “healthy” in our own unique ways!

For you, healthy might mean low calorie, but to another person, it may mean minimal ingredients or high-protein.

Now, let’s be clear: if you’re going to eat a candy bar, the odds are that you’re not too concerned with how healthy it actually is. I mean, it’s candy after all.

But, that doesn’t mean that it’s not helpful to know the differences! I always find it beneficial to know what I’m consuming, even if I’m not counting my calories or watching my weight.

Let’s break down the nutrition facts of various candy bars and sort through most of the popular options out there to figure out which ones may be considered the healthiest for our own diets.

Can you eat candy and still be healthy?

When we think of candy bars, we think of high sugar, high calories, and very little nutritional benefit.

In that sense, a candy bar might not be considered “healthy” at all.

But just because you eat food that isn’t traditionally considered healthy, that doesn’t mean that YOU are unhealthy.

Sometimes you just want a candy bar, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

It should never be “eat this, not that.” It should be “eat this sometimes, and that other times.”

Your approach should always be balanced, which is why I am such a major advocate for flexible dieting.

You don’t always need to choose the “best” option

Protein bars (generally speaking) are a great snack to take with you on the go. They’re convenient, high in protein and fiber, and contain minimal ingredients.

But sometimes candy bars are also a great choice.

No, a candy bar is not going to nourish you with micronutrients and help you hit your protein goals.

But it’s convenient, delicious, and it’s going to make you happy.

I say it all the time, but I’m gonna repeat it in case you’re new here…

Every food choice you make does not need to be in the pursuit of perfect health.

If you’re presented with blueberries or Sour Patch Kids, it’s probably pretty easy to identify which option is “better.” Nobody is turning to Halloween candy for the health benefits, after all.

But if that’s all we thought about every single time we chose a snack, our diets (and our lives) would be BORING.

You’re allowed to eat food that doesn’t directly impact your goals. That doesn’t make you unhealthy!

I love protein bars. I’m going to continue to eat ’em. But I also love candy, and you bet your candy-loving butt that I’m going to continue to enjoy those sometimes, too!

The candy you snack on is only a tiny portion of a single day. When you look at the big picture of your overall health, it’s not going to negatively affect you in the slightest. I promise.

Balance and moderation are your two best friends, always.

For those reasons: yes, you can eat candy and still be perfectly healthy.

Dark chocolate vs milk chocolate, which is healthier?

Depending on the type of candy bar you’re after, you may be presented with the option of dark chocolate or milk chocolate.

Which is the better choice?

Many people out there view a chocolate bar as an unhealthy option, but when it comes to dark chocolate, it’s often viewed as a healthy option.

When people set out to lose weight, they’ll avoid “candy bars” at all costs, but have no problem enjoying some dark chocolate.

This is often because dark chocolate contains very minimal ingredients. In most cases, this means no corn syrup, no sugar alcohols, minimal (or no) added sugar, no artificial flavor, etc.

But I want to show you that milk chocolate is still absolutely fine to enjoy…

If we look at equal portion sizes, we can see that calorically, dark chocolate and milk chocolate are nearly identical.

If weight loss is your ultimate goal, then keeping your calories in check should be your priority. Calorie deficit = weight loss.

In that case, a milk chocolate bar might be a totally fine option for ya. Likewise, if you’re eating lower fat, then a milk chocolate bar is actually a more appealing option.

Of course, we have to look at the sugar content.

There’s no comparison here: milk chocolate contains much more sugar than its dark chocolate counterpart. Does that make it “less healthy”? No, it just means it contains more sugar.

By some people’s standards, that may mean it’s less healthy, but that’s not a universal truth.

What are the different types of chocolate, and which is healthiest?

There are tons of different types of chocolate out there: we can go from the most cocoa (100% cocoa bar) all the way down to white chocolate, which doesn’t actually contain any cocoa at all.

There are plenty of variations with varying ingredients such as artificial sweeteners, caramel, coconut oil, peanuts, and more. For this comparison, let’s just look at the varying percentage differences for chocolate bars…

Milk chocolate bars can contain as little as 10% cocoa, but fall within the 10-30% range.

99-100% are both going to be super bitter and are typically just used in baking. For me personally, even the mildest of dark chocolate is still far too bitter, and I much prefer milk chocolate!

Almost all of the different types of chocolate are going to fall in a very similar calorie range.

The ingredients will vary, but you don’t have to force-feed yourself only the darkest of chocolate if you hate it. A little milk or added sugar is absolutely okay.

Note that for this chocolate comparison guide, I stuck to 70% as the lowest of the dark chocolate, but there are other options that fall between the 30%-70% range as well. Most of those options have very similar caloric value!

Which type of chocolate is the healthiest? Whichever type fits YOUR preferences.

Many consider dark chocolate to be the healthy option, but based on your own dietary preferences, that may not necessarily be the case.

The healthiest candy bars 

As you scroll down, you’ll come across a table containing 65 chocolate candy bars (and counting). Sort the table by calories or macronutrients, or search to see how your favorite candy bar stacks up!

While most of the bars are from the United States (we have the best candy bars) I snuck in a few others that I’ve tried in both Canada and the UK that I really love as well. Shoutout to Coffee Crisp!

While most candy bars will typically be in the 200 calorie range and have a similar nutritional profile, there are definitely differences between them.

Candy Bar With Lowest Calories

York Peppermint Patty

150 Calories, 2.5g Fat, 26g Sugar, 0g Protein

York Peppermint Patty’s are the smallest of all the “bars” out there, so it should come as no surprise that they contain the fewest calories. They have a mint filling and are coated with dark chocolate and are generally looked at as a healthy candy option.

Second-Lowest Calories: Reese’s Thins (170 Calories, or 85 calories per peanut butter cup)

Candy Bar With Most Protein

PayDay

240 Calories, 13g Fat, 21g Sugar, 7g Protein

Coming in at the top of the protein list is a PayDay bar, which is jam-packed with peanuts. Whereas most bars consist of mostly chocolate, PayDay doesn’t actually contain any chocolate at all and instead utilizes a peanut coating around a caramel center.

Edit: PayDay recently released a chocolate-coated PayDay bar which has 260 calories, 14g of fat, 27g carbs, and 5g protein.

Second-Highest: Reese’s Ultimate Peanut Butter Lovers (6g protein)

Candy Bar With Lowest Sugar

Twix Peanut Butter

220 Calories, 12g Fat, 14g Sugar, 4g Protein

With 14g of sugar, Twix Peanut Butter is actually the lowest sugar option out there. Of course, this does not include sugar-free versions of candy bars that utilize sugar alcohols, which are obviously much lower in sugar.

Second-Lowest Sugar Content: Twix Cookies & Cream (17g of sugar)

Candy Bar With Lowest Fat

York Peppermint Patty

150 Calories, 2. 5g Fat, 26g Sugar, 0g Protein

Along with the title of Lowest Calorie, York always wins the title of Lowest Fat. Since York Peppermint Patties don’t contain any peanut butter, caramel, or nougat filling, the fat content stays nice and low here. If you are worried about your consumption of trans fat or saturated fat, York is definitely a great choice.

Second-Lowest Fat: 3 Musketeers (7g fat)

The Ultimate Candy Bar Ranking

A few notes on the table below:

1. This is exclusive to candy bars. We’ll save our full candy guide for another post so we can compare hard candy like jolly ranchers and gummy candy like gummy bears.
2. Technically speaking, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and York Peppermint Patties aren’t in bar shape, but they fit the description enough for me!
3. I chose not to include the full carbohydrate count here, but rather just list the sugar content. In most cases, the carb totals consist of almost pure sugar, so you’re not missing out on too many carbs.
4. Since new candy bars are consistently being released, I will do my best to keep this chart updated for you.
5. If I left your favorite off this list, come find me on Instagram and let me know!

Ranking The Healthiest Candy Bars

Generated by wpDataTables

Nutritionists rank Halloween candy from better to worst

Fall is here — and with the cooler weather comes bag after bag of Halloween candy on display at your local drugstore. Walking down all of those aisles stuffed with sweet, spooky treats sure makes it tempting to pick up a few.

While Halloween candy wouldn’t be classified as a health food, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy any without feeling guilt afterward. “My philosophy is that you can have these things in moderation,” says Amy Gorin, RDN, owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in Jersey City, New Jersey.

There are a few strategies you can use to keep yourself in check. “One thing that I like to suggest is to only buy Halloween candy the week of — or maybe even the day before — Halloween so that it’s not sitting around your house and you’re not inclined to eat it before trick-or-treaters come over,” says Natalie Rizzo, RD, New York city-based registered dietitian.

When you do head to the store for bulk Halloween candy, pick up ones that come in bite-size, individually wrapped packaging, says Gorin — and see if you can limit yourself to one or two. Take a long time to chew on a piece of candy so that you really savor the flavor and feel satisfied after just a little bit, suggests Gorin.

A study found that people ate about two more pieces of candy when it was placed in clear bowls near their desks versus in opaque containers further away from them.

Another tip: Store your Halloween candy on a top shelf in a sealed container so it’s out of sight, says Samantha Cassetty, RD. “That way when you’re reaching for it, you’re doing so with purpose and mindfulness,” she says. A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that people ate about two more pieces of candy when it was placed in clear bowls near their desks versus when candy was stored in opaque containers further away from them.

But what if you do down a whole bag of candy corn or peanut butter cups in one sitting? “Obviously, it’s a hard time of year — if you’re at an office, there’s probably a candy bowl, and if your kids are trick or treating, it’s hard to say, ‘I’m not going to touch it,’” says Gorin. “If you have more than planned, just start over right away. Say, ‘OK, I ate too much candy, and right now I’m going to stop. ‘”

Now that you know how to snack on Halloween candy wisely, it’s time to figure out what you should have. Along with our experts, we’ve sized up the nutritional labels of some of the most popular Halloween candies, with a strong focus on calories, portion size and sugar content so that you can make better choices in the lead-up to Oct. 31. (To keep things in perspective, the American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake to 37 grams for men and 25 for women per day.)

Nutritionist Pick #1: Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers

One serving — eight pieces — of these brightly colored gummy worms comes in at 100 calories and 14 grams of sugar. Cassetty points out that due to their flavor and texture, oftentimes a smaller amount of gummies goes a long way — so you may not find the need to polish off eight worms. If you eat three of them, you’re taking in just north of five grams of sugar. “I know that there’s a bunch of artificial junk in there and things you don’t want to be doing everyday, but they’re chewy, so you can eat them slowly,” says Cassetty. (And remember: The longer you take to finish a piece of candy, the more satisfied you’ll feel.)

Nutritionist Pick #2: Snack-Size Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

A single peanut butter cup has 110 calories and 11 grams of sugar. Despite the sugar content, it’s still a top choice given that it’s individually wrapped and does have some protein (two grams) and fiber (one gram), says Gorin. “The protein and fiber will help keep you fuller longer,” she says.

Nutritionist Pick #3: Charms Blow Pop

Although this lollipop with gum in the center has 13 grams of sugar, it’s only 70 calories. The low calorie count and the fact that sucking on one will occupy you for a while make this choice another acceptable treat. “It takes a while to eat, so you’re satisfying that craving for sweet over a period of time,” says Rizzo.

The Best — and Worst — of the Rest (in That Order)

Of course, the Halloween candy options are practically endless. Here are how some of the other popular picks fare.

Snickers Miniatures

Like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, a four-piece serving of Snickers Minatiatures does offer you some protein (three grams) and fiber (one gram), which can help keep you full. But one serving has 170 calories and 18 grams of sugar. Gorin likes this candy if you only eat one, which knocks your sugar intake down to less than five grams.

TWIX Caramel Cookie Bars Minis

Three of these bite-size crunchy candies come to 150 calories and 15 grams of sugar. That’s why Cassetty suggests sticking to one individually wrapped piece, which’ll set you back only five grams of sugar. “Re-think how you approach candy,” says Cassetty. “Instead of looking at it as, ‘I can only have one,’ view that one piece as a treat.”

Kit Kat Minis

“I like chocolate candies more, especially if they come in small packages,” says Rizzo. These tiny Kit Kats clock in at 170 calories and 17 grams of sugar for four pieces. Again, our experts recommend limiting yourself to one piece to stay under five grams of sugar.

Rizzo notes that while some chocolate candies may have more sugar than Twizzlers, they’re at least giving you a little fiber and protein. But at 120 calories and 16 grams of sugar for three pieces, Twizzlers aren’t a terrible choice if you eat less than the serving size. Cassetty suggests limiting yourself to one Twizzler (so that you stay at about five grams of sugar) and taking your time eating it. “One Twizzler seems like a decent way to get a sweet fix,” she says. Gorin adds that because it can be difficult to stop at one, focus on taking small bites and enjoying the experience.

Tootsie Roll Minis

“Tootsie Rolls are chewy, so you can take your time to enjoy them,” says Cassetty. Four mini Tootsie rolls have 150 calories and 19 grams of sugar but no protein or fiber. As our experts have advised for the other candies on our list, cut down the serving size and stick to one piece to limit your sugar intake. One mini Tootsie Roll has less than five grams of sugar.

Brach’s Candy Corn

Ah, candy corn — you’ve sadly earned the lowest score of all Halloween candies. A serving size of candy corn — 19 pieces—is 140 calories and 28 grams of sugar. Since candy corn comes in a bag (and not in smaller portions), this one doesn’t get very high marks. “If you have three pieces, it’s not so bad, but most people don’t do that,” says Rizzo.

How to Adult-ify Your Halloween Candy Craving

Classic Halloween candies aren’t your only choice if you have a hankering for something sweet. Consider satiating your craving with individually wrapped 1-ounce pieces of dark chocolate, which have health benefits that super-sugary, relatively nutrient-free Halloween candy doesn’t, says Gorin. (For example, according to a study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, dark chocolate contains antioxidants —known as flavanols — that could protect your heart.) Rizzo is a fan of Kind minis, which clock in at only 100 calories and have varieties made with dark chocolate, along with more nutritional value than candy.

WHAT A NUTRITIONIST WANTS YOU TO KNOW

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How Many of These Can I Eat?

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

1) goldyrocks / Thinkstock

2 & 3) Basya555 / Thinkstock

4 & 5) Nic_Ol / Thinkstock

6 & 7) RickSause / Thinkstock

8 & 9) Lewis Wright / Thinkstock

10 & 11) ismagilov / Wikimedia

12 & 13) Photology1971 / Thinkstock

14 & 15) Wikimedia

16 & 17) Wikimedia

apache.org/xalan”>18 & 19) Jarek Miarka / Thinkstock

20 & 21) Wikimedia

22 & 23) Mars, Inc.

24 & 25) Wikimedia

SOURCES:

3Musketeers: “Nutritional Information.”

CalorieKing: “Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate.”

FatSecret: “1 Fun Size Package, Skittles.”

Harris Health System: “Halloween Mini Treats Could Scare Up High Calorie Counts.”

Hershey’s: “Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.”

LiveScience: “Halloween Health: The Best and Worst Trick-or-Treat Candy. ”

MilkyWay: “Nutritional Information.”

MyFitnessPal: “Calories in Nerds Candy Fun Size.”

Snickers: “Nutritional Information.”

Tootsie: “Allergy Info & Nutrition.”

Reviewed by Christine

Mikstas, RD, LD on September 09, 2020

The Healthiest (and Least Healthy) Halloween Candy | AFC Urgent Care

Here at AFC Urgent Care Portland, we don’t want to spoil the fun this Halloween, however, as a medical center, it is our job to let our patients know what is, and what isn’t good for their health. While candy isn’t necessarily healthy, there are certain brands of candy that are less unhealthy than others. Surprisingly, there are even a few types of candy that actually offer health benefits. 

Equally surprising perhaps, are the candy brands that are the least healthy.  

5 Least Healthy Halloween Candies

5. Candy Corn

While maybe the most iconic Halloween treat, candy corn is almost entirely comprised of sugar and artificial ingredients, such as yellow 5 and titanium dioxide color. 

4. Baby Ruth

Despite Nestle’s vow to remove all artificial ingredients by 2015, they haven’t quite made good on that promise yet – evidenced by Baby Ruth bars. However, what’s most unhealthy about Baby Ruth bars is its sugar content. In a “fun-sized” bar there is 10 grams of sugar. For scope, these fun-sized bars are about the size of a quarter…

3. Butterfinger’s

Butterfinger’s contains a whopping 4 grams of fat and 85 calories in just one “fun-sized” candy bar. While its fat content could partially be attributed to the nuts inside Butterfinger’s, this may be the least healthy of all candy bars.

2. Twizzler’s

Most people may not peg Twizzler as one of the least healthy candy brands due to its prominent low-fat boasting on the wrapper. Twizzler lands on this list due to its insanely high sugar content. One Twizzler contains 5g of sugar, leaving its consumers vulnerable to developing cavities in their teeth.

1. Sour Patch Kids

To nobody’s surprise, Sour Patch Kids are incredibly unhealthy. Their insanely high sugar content, paired with their array of artificial ingredients, including high fructose corn syrup, makes it the least healthy of Halloween candies. While it’s no fun to be the spoiler of fun, if there’s one candy to take away from your child’s Halloween stash, it’s undoubtedly Sour Patch Kids.

5 Least Unhealthy Halloween Candies

5. Mounds Bar

While Mounds Bars, like most candy, have a high fat content (11g in one serving), they actually offer 2g of protein due to its coconut filling. This makes Mounds Bars a half-decent midday snack if you’re feeling low energy and not looking to crash later. 

4. M & M Mini’s

If you’re craving a low-calorie chocolate fix, M&M Mini’s are your best bet. The one-ounce tube these treats are packaged in only contain 150 calories and 7 grams of fat, making them an OK snack for people on the go.

3. Lindt Chocolate Bars

This gourmet treat offers higher quality ingredients than most candies. While different varieties of Lindt will have differing ingredients, their original type has only 12g of sugar in its 250-calorie serving size. While 250 calories is a bit on the heavy side, fortunately, these treats have a high cocoa concentration, which provides your body with a healthy dose of beneficial antioxidants.

2. Dove Bar (with Nuts)

Because these bars contain almonds, a supposed “super food”, Dove Bars with Nuts stand among the least unhealthy candies available. In fact, your nutritionist may even recommend these bars if eating them is the only way for you to eat almonds. Almonds contain an array of extremely beneficial ingredients such as Vitamin E, healthy fats, magnesium, fiber and protein.  

1. Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate

The consumption of chocolate dates back 1,000’s of years, long before the advent of artificial ingredients. Comprised of entirely natural ingredients, chocolate, in its purest form, is one of the healthiest foods on earth.

However, because of its association with “junk food”, we perceive it as unhealthy. But any candy bar predominantly consisting of dark chocolate is likely better for you than worse. It’s the milk chocolate-based candies that are unhealthy, as they are generally high in fat and low in any of chocolate’s health benefits. 

Dark chocolate’s major health benefits include:

• High nutritional value (contains magnesium, fiber, iron, manganese, potassium, phosphorous, zinc and selenium)
• Great source of Antioxidants. Antioxidants are proven to help reduce many different types of cancer
• Lowers blood pressure, effectively lowering the chances of developing heart disease

Therefore, unlike any of the other candies, eating dark chocolate should be actively encouraged in moderation. So if you’re going to steal any candy from your children this year, make sure it’s their dark chocolate. Happy Halloween!

And remember, if you’re in need of medical care this fall, feel free to visit  any of AFC Urgent Care’s centers, located in NE Portland, NW Portland, Beaverton and Lake Oswego!

90,000 Why do we want sweets? 9 reasons explaining the behavior of a sweet tooth

If you cannot live a day without a chocolate, and after eating one candy, you immediately reach for the second and third, there may be a lot of reasons. These causes can be eliminated. And it’s not about willpower.

What can cause dependence on sweets, “AiF” told Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Burlyaeva, Nutritionist, head of the clinical diagnostic group “Healthy and Sports Nutrition” of the Federal Research Center for Nutrition and Biotechnology:

1 reason (most common) – irregular food. When a person eats irregularly, takes long breaks between meals, he has to endure hunger longer. And at this moment you just want chocolate, chocolates, jam. Because a hungry body requires energy, and the simplest way to get it quickly is simple carbohydrates, or sweets.

What to do? It is important to establish proper regular nutrition. It is recommended to eat often and little by little – 5-6 times a day.

2 reason – improper eating behavior. Most often formed in childhood, when parents reward their child with sweets for what he should do on a regular basis. For example: “Did your homework (did the dishes, cleaned the room, etc.)? Well done! Here’s a candy for you. ” As a result, it becomes a habit, and as an adult, a person rewards himself for any well done deeds with sweets – cakes, cakes, sweets, etc. Moreover, he does not always even realize that he is rewarding himself in this way. Subjectively, he just wants something sweet after the “works of the righteous.”

What to do? It is best to consult a specialist – a psychologist, psychotherapist. After all, if a person himself can control the process of consuming sweets and stop in time, then the problem will not arise.

3 reason – active work of the brain. This consumes energy very quickly. Typically, this is the situation that students encounter during a session. Or employees with an emergency at work, when it is necessary to submit projects, reports, etc. by a certain date.(e.g. accountants).

What to do? It is better to remove all sweets from the table so that sweets, cookies and other foods that increase the calorie content of the diet are not readily available. As a rule, such people know to themselves when they seize stress at work. You need to follow the correct diet, and for breakfast it is advisable to eat complex carbohydrates – cereals, coarse bread, cereal crisps. They release energy slowly so that you don’t feel hungry for longer.

4 reason – increased physical activity among athletes and adherents of physical education. The body needs to replenish very high energy costs. The mechanism of “craving for sweets” is the same as with long breaks between meals. Only people with increased physical activity have a faster feeling of energy hunger, and then they want something sweet.

What to do? Eat a high-calorie, but small-volume food 30-40 minutes before your workout that can provide you with energy.For example, a few nuts, a granola bar (there are special ones for athletes), because they consist mainly of nuts, cereals, cereals, fruits or dried fruits.

5 the reason is depression. Explicit or hidden, eg due to long sunless weather. When the mood is not very good in the morning, it’s hard to get up, there is no desire to do anything, again, unconsciously, you want something sweet, because it contributes to the production of serotonin, the hormone of joy. But besides candy, there are other, less harmful foods that increase serotonin levels, such as bananas.

What can help? You can recommend replacing sweets with dried fruits. However, it is worth remembering that dried fruits are also a fairly high-calorie product and cannot be consumed without measure either.

6 reason – insufficient intake of simple carbohydrates. Most often this happens when girls want to reduce body weight and begin to spontaneously get involved in diets. Moreover, these diets are often not always correctly selected. A very low-calorie diet is chosen and starvation occurs.Therefore, the desire for sweets is stronger.

What to do? In this case, it is better to consult a dietitian doctor and compose a diet with him that will help to reduce weight, but at the same time not feel hunger and eat in a balanced way, i.e. provide the body with all the necessary substances.

7 reason – genetic characteristics. The rate of sugar metabolism is encoded by certain genes. If the body is genetically programmed so that sugar is utilized quickly, then it constantly requires more and more, no matter how much a person eats.This is the most difficult problem of all. The genetic reason for the “abuse” of sweets is difficult to identify. And not always a doctor in a polyclinic – a therapist or endocrinologist may suspect such changes in the body.

What to do? There are more complex carbohydrates throughout the day so that the body can take energy from them regularly, as needed. It is best to ask a nutritional specialist for nutritional advice.

8 cause – some diseases, most often diabetes mellitus. In this case, a person develops a state of hypoglycemia, that is, a lowered blood sugar level. Patients complain of strong tremors in the body, dizziness, weakness. At such moments, there is also an acute shortage of sugar and you want something sweet – compensatory. As soon as a person eats candy, sugar, honey, the discomfort goes away. As a rule, such people are aware of their disease and are under the supervision of endocrinologists. Doctors prescribe special drugs for them, with which they stop such conditions.

What to do? At the first alarming symptoms, consult a doctor and follow his recommendations.

9 reason – smoking cessation. When a person loses a cigarette, he instinctively tries to occupy his hands and mouth with something else – for example, sweets. If earlier in a stressful situation he grabbed a cigarette, now he reaches for sweets. As a result, one bad habit replaces another.

What to do? In this situation, you can advise yourself to find another way to occupy your hands and mouth, for example, a hand expander and at the same time count the squeezes out loud.And the muscles will be pumped up, and you will not have to abuse sweets.

90,000 Why do we love sweets so much?

March 27, 2013

Signs to the photo,

Excessive consumption of sweets can lead to “sugar addiction”

We all know how difficult it is to refuse another chocolate candy or (the last!) Piece of cake. What makes us constantly want something sweet?

According to many scientists, the need for sugar is inherent in humans on an instinctive level, since it plays an important role in our life.

According to them, in the process of evolution, human taste buds developed in such a way that he had a need for vital substances such as salt, fats and sugar.

Do we need sugar?

When we eat something sweet, glucose is absorbed through the intestines into the bloodstream and quickly spreads to all cells of the body.

Glucose is especially important for the functioning of the brain, because it is almost the only source of nutrition for 100 billion nerve cells called neurons.

These cells need constant replenishment, since they themselves cannot accumulate and store glucose reserves. Diabetics are well aware that a sharp drop in blood sugar can cause a person to fall into a coma.

It’s hard to believe, but recently scientists have found that even the taste of sugar can significantly activate the brain. Studies have shown that when participants rinsed out with sugar-sweetened water, they performed much better logic problems than when artificial sweeteners were added to the water instead of sugar.

An uneasy relationship

Our uneasy relationship with sugar begins at birth, as we are all born with a sweet tooth.

A recent study by

The University of Washington testifies that newborn babies prefer sweet scent to any other. And the fact that children love sweets much more than adults is generally a well-known fact.

According to scientists, the love of sweets in children is an evolutionary relic, because in ancient times, long before the existence of civilization, children who preferred high-calorie foods were more likely to survive when there were power outages.

Today, the problem is that “pure” sugar has become too readily available, which explains the increase in obesity among children.

In this regard, doctors recommend that parents do not give sweets to children from an early age, so that they do not develop a habit of sweets.

Why are we “addicted” to sweets?

A lot of sweets in the diet is not good for health, scientists warn. Sugar can improve mood by promoting the production of the “happiness hormone” serotonin, but you need to be very careful with this.

The immediate emotional uplift that we experience after consuming sweets is one of the reasons why we lean on pastries, cakes and chocolate if we want to celebrate something, improve our mood or please ourselves with something.

However, an emotional outburst after something sweet leads to an increase in insulin levels, as the body tries to lower blood sugar levels to normal. This situation can cause the so-called “sugar addiction”, in which the cravings for sweets increase.

When to stop

Signs to the photo,

Sugar helps to improve mood, which is why we resort to sweets when we want to celebrate something

Besides, as scientists say, our body is not able to “understand” when he got enough sugar of one type or another. Researchers have found that foods and drinks sweetened with fructose do not produce the same feeling of fullness as other foods with the same calorie content.

Research by scientists from

Yale University found that, unlike fructose, glucose suppresses the regions of the brain that are responsible for appetite.The study participants also reported that they felt fuller after eating a meal containing glucose compared to when they were given a meal sweetened with fructose. These factors play an important role when it comes to overeating.

Most convenience foods contain an excess amount of sucrose, which is 50% fructose. You would be very surprised if you knew how much sugar the foods you eat every day actually contain.

So the next time you crave something sweet, you will at least know why it is happening.

How much is too much?

The human body cannot distinguish between natural sugar found in fruits, honey, or milk, and artificial sugar made from sugar cane or beets.

In the human stomach, all saccharides break down into glucose and fructose and are processed by the liver. They are converted to glycogen or fat, or remain in the blood as glucose, which fuels the cells in the body. Therefore, the amount of sugar consumed is critical to health.

The UK NHS recommends that your intake of added sugar should not exceed 10% of the total calories you consume from food and beverages throughout the day.

This is approximately equal to 70 g per day for men and 50 g for women. However, this amount may vary depending on your weight, age, and activity during the day. 50 grams of sugar is about 13 teaspoons, or two bottles of soda, or eight pieces of chocolate chip cookies.

When shopping at the supermarket, pay attention to the sugar content. It is considered high if 100 g of a product contains more than 15 g of sugar, and low if less than 5 g.

90,000 10 Swiss Easter sweets that will delight all your senses

For most people, Easter is a time of year that can be spent with the closest and closest family members and relatives. Although every part of the world has customs and traditions , there are still things that are the same for all people in every country in the world.What do people like? Talk and hang out with your loved ones, and drink and eat. When it comes to food, it is always good to have some high quality chocolate besides the main traditional meal, especially for children. What’s the best chocolate in the world? Swiss chocolate, of course! That is why we have offered the best Swiss Easter Chocolates to delight all your senses.

Our goal was to collect in one place only those chocolate creations that were created especially for Easter.Each chocolate on our list has its own benefits, so it’s best to browse through all of them to find the option you like best. So let’s take a look at ten fantastic Swiss Easter chocolates and help you decide which one is perfect for the upcoming holiday.

Eggs Milk Chocolate Cailler

Straight from the Swiss Alps, these astonishing chocolate creations will delight your loved ones. The highest quality and attractive design will win the heart of every true chocolate lover.

What makes these Callier eggs so special is the milk from Swiss cows in the Alps. This is the main reason why Callier chocolate is so smooth. Fresh milk, along with cocoa and other unique ingredients, are an integral part of this art of chocolate making.

Frey Easter Chocolate Mix

If you were in doubt about what kind of chocolate you want for Easter, we have a solution. It’s simple; you don’t have to choose – just take all ! With Frey Easter Chocolate Blend, you can enjoy Neapolitans and Chocolate Eggs.

Whether it’s coffee or a quick treat to keep you going, tiny temptations in the finest Neapolitan chocolate are perfect for any occasion. Each chocolate is carefully prepared according to a traditional recipe. Definitely one of the best Swiss Easter chocolates.

Easter Chocolate Truffles

The most exciting Easter gift is Switzerland’s leading bakery. When you hear the name Bachmann, you know that it’s all about quality. The same goes for these wonderful Easter chocolate truffles! The box contains not only homemade truffles, but also chocolate and eggs in sugar.

Perfect pleasure for the upcoming holiday. Stylish box of some of the greatest chocolates you can imagine.

Chocolate eggs Ragusa

These cool Ragusa chocolate eggs will take care of your Easter fun ! With more than seventy years of tradition, Ragusa chocolate is at the top of the entire chocolate world. Whole hazelnuts are one of the main reasons why all Ragusa products are so delicious.

In addition, these chocolate eggs also have all the basic characteristics of a ragusa. Besides hazelnuts, there is also a lot of cocoa here. Hence, every true chocolate lover will love having just one bite of these eggs.

Frey Confiseur Easter Candy

Is there anything sweeter than the most delicious chocolate? The Frey Confiseur Easter Pralines represent this feeling in every possible way. They are made to satisfy the discerning chocolate lovers all over the world. Frey chocolate passion for the best products is always present. Therefore, these pralines are just what you need to make this Easter perfect.

Frey Japonais Chocolate Eggs

Frey Japonais Chocolate Eggs are a delightful blend of the finest chocolate and special ingredients. With a creamy filling or crunchy toppings, These Chocolate Eggs Stand out for their varied, memorable and delicious flavors. Therefore, everyone will love them, both young and old.

Frees chocolate is always welcome for special occasions like Easter. This will make your holiday unique and memorable for a lifetime.

Frey Freylini Special Chocolate Mix

You may be wondering how to shorten the waiting time before Easter. Frey Freylini’s special chocolate blend will help you achieve this goal! In addition, when the holiday comes, it will make everyone smile!

Since Easter is one of those special days, you must celebrate it properly.With the great taste of Freya !

Ovomaltine Easter Chocolate Eggs

Ovomaltine Chocolate Easter Eggs follow the traditional Ovaltine chocolate recipe. The most delicate milk chocolate and the crunchy Ovo flavor will naturally disappear on your tongue.

Not only that Ovomaltine eggs have gotten bigger, but the flavor has become a little more intense. Just imagine happiness and smiles on your child’s face when he / she sees this cute cutie.

Frey Spruso Chocolate Eggs

If you have always wondered how to make Easter unforgettable and fun for everyone – here is the answer!

Chocolate house Frey has prepared a lot of different surprises for this Easter. There are interesting activities for everyone – both young and old. And these Frey Spruso Chocolate Eggs are for everyone! One of the cutest Swiss Easter chocolates you can find.

Easter Chocolate Rice Rabbit

Easter is not complete without a rabbit, don’t you think? Therefore, this Easter chocolate rice bunny will fill the atmosphere of the upcoming holiday.

The perfect blend of chocolate and rice melts smoothly in your mouth. Children will love this taste, but also adults with a good sense of sweetness. Obviously, this rabbit needs to be eaten almost immediately, but you can always leave or store it in a cool dry place. Chocolate bunnies are part of the tradition in Switzerland.

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How and from what are popular sweets made in Russia: kirill_potapov – LiveJournal

We are already accustomed to the fact that no holiday is complete without sweets.In stores you can find dozens, hundreds of varieties of sweets for every taste and budget. Are sweets useful for humans and how are sweets made in Russia?

In order to find answers to these questions, I will tell you about the production of sweets at one of the most popular factories in Russia, which is located in Cheboksary. I am sure that many have met the products of this factory on the counter in stores.

01. In Chuvashia there is a well-known factory for the production of confectionery products – JSC “Akkond”.The history of the company is long and eventful. It all started back in the distant 1940s with a small handicraft production that produced products for the front and rear.

Today Akkond OJSC is not just one of the largest confectionery factories in Russia, but also a group of companies that has united several vertically integrated enterprises.

02. The company employs about 3000 people. General Director of OJSC “Akkond” Valery Ivanov has been managing the company for about 30 years.He closely monitors the quality of production for many years, therefore, under his control, the company has established itself on the market as one of the most reliable confectionery factories in Russia.

03. The factory also employs many professionals with decades of experience. It is on such people that the success of the enterprise depends.

04. Let’s take a look at the production. This is the very heart of any factory.

05. It is simply impossible to resist the delicious smell of chocolate, but the employees of the enterprise have probably got used to it for a long time and have developed immunity.Production work is mostly automated.

06. Soufflés float in friendly rows along the ribbon, as if along the waves.

07. Later, this soufflé will turn into delicious dairy desserts “Sliced”, which you could see in New Year’s gifts, for example.

08. Nutritional value per 100 g of product: Proteins 6 g .. Fats 27 g .. Carbohydrates 51 g .. Energy value 471 kcal ..

I did not see anything criminal in the composition of this product, therefore I think that this dessert is also suitable for children as a snack.

09. And at this stage, the delicate soufflé is wrapped in a branded wrapper and already goes for packaging.

10. This equipment is used to make another dessert: “Soufael”.

11. This sweetness is oval.

12. Sprinkled with chopped nuts on top, evenly poured with chocolate icing. Well, just delicious!

Nutritional value per 100 g of product: Proteins 4 g. Fats 25 g. Carbohydrates 56 g. Energy value 467 kcal….

13. And here one more popular sweets are made: “Otlomi”.

14. Drooling, hands treacherously reach straight to the conveyor to take and immediately taste the freshest candy.

Traditionally, let’s take a look at the calorie content of sweets. Nutritional value per 100 g of product: Proteins 7.5 g. Fats 27 g. Carbohydrates 54 g. Energy value 489 kcal ..

15. And here is a careful packaging of products.Of course, the final action rests with the person. Only under his control the whole process takes place in production.

16. Of course, this is only a small part of the products that the Akkond factory produces. They have over 400 products that many of us are familiar with.

17. One of my favorite delicacies is “Bird Wonderful” candies and “Boletto” chocolate mushrooms, made on the basis of soufflé made with 100% butter, glazed with natural chocolate.

18. Having visited the production of JSC “Akkond”, I can say with confidence that here they are responsible for the quality of products with their own name! After all, this factory is the image and prestige not only of the Akkond company, but of the entire Chuvash republic.

Have you tried Akkond products? Which sweets do you like best and which ones you don’t?

“I am 26 years old, and I come up with new tastes of sweets”: an American woman told about her dream job

When we talk about making sweets, we are immediately reminded of Willy Wonka’s magic factory.Previously, Jilek also imagined this work in this way.

“As a child, like any child, I loved candy,” she recalls with a laugh. “I also loved science.”

The girl decided to combine her two main interests and began to study food technology. While attending the University of Wisconsin in Madison, she completed a summer internship at a dairy before going on an internship at Wrigley.

Chrissy Gilek. Photo: Fast Company

In addition, Jilek has acquired connections in the field of food production.She competed from the Student Food Technology Institute (IFTSA) and received a fellowship from the American Candy Industry Association.

After graduation, the girl was offered a job at Wrigley, since during her internship she worked on real projects with ordinary employees. “During an internship, you are usually given a project that needs to be completed by the end of the internship, that is, in 12 weeks,” explained Jilek.

Jilek completed an internship in the research and development department.Hiding her hair under a hat and wearing a lab coat and safety shoes, she “played with formulas and products to prepare a detailed report for the entire company.” One of the trainees in her group even helped create a new flavor of gum, Jilek said.

“Everyone in the company – from junior developers to senior managers – was happy to share their professional experience and provide some advice,” Jilek recalls. “It was very easy and fun for us to work together.The atmosphere in the company encourages solidarity. ”

Wrigley employs about 15 thousand people in 50 countries around the world. At the same time, the company sells 765 different products in more than 180 countries. Wrigley is a subsidiary of Mars, a major manufacturer of chocolate products (as well as animal feed, food, beverages and other products). Since Wrigley is a private company and food technology is full of secrets, Jilek was unable to reveal some of the details of her work.

Photo: Fast Company

However, she said that immediately after completing her internship at Wrigley, she was approached by the manager of the candy department and announced the development of a new product.“Before I joined Wrigley, the company was working on a new flavor for Skittles called Sweet Heat,” said Jilek. Then the product was at the stage of concept and consumer testing, and now “it is going to take a leading position in the market of hot and sweet sweets.”

Even if you do not work in the food industry, you may have noticed that more spicy foods are appearing on store shelves and restaurant menus. According to the study, 78% of shoppers enjoy at least mildly spicy food, and 55% love spicy flavors.The hot sauce market alone is worth $ 1 billion. Given that millennials love all kinds of candy packs, it’s no surprise that Wrigley has chosen to target young spicy drinkers.

“Lately, snack and confectionery manufacturers have been striving to balance sweet and savory tastes,” said Susan Whiteside, vice president of advertising and public affairs for the US National Pastry Chefs Association. “Of course, there have been attempts of this kind before, but now companies want to bring this combination of flavors to a new level, so they are experimenting with different types of pungency and sweetness.”

Who, if not a millennial, should be entrusted with inventing the revolutionary taste of candy? That is why, in the first week of work, Jilek rolled up her sleeves, put on a robe and began experimenting with spices. Before showing the product to the testers, she herself had to try many combinations of flavors of the most varied pungencies.

Photo: Fast Company

Jilek herself is not very fond of spicy food. “In food production, it doesn’t matter what you like and what you don’t,” she said.“I had a unique chance to taste all the flavors, but none of them really appealed to me.” But the girl learned how to quickly get rid of the burning sensation on the tongue – it turns out that sweets like Skittles help. “To soothe the burning sensation, one candy or a handful is enough,” Jilek shared her secret.

Together with 10-15 colleagues, Jilek worked on the creation of a new savory taste of Skittles. Her mentor was one of the production researchers named Andy Reno. “This was my first project management experience, where I had to go through all the stages of production from start to finish, so Andy helped me,” she said.- He constantly gave me advice and shared his experience. Like me, he also ended up at Wrigley after completing his internship. ”

A year later, Jilek saw her new product on the production line for the first time. The new Skittles and Starburst flavors she has been working on were first introduced in May at the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago. They will not appear on the shelves until winter.

Source.

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“There was no dream job in this world, and I created it myself”

90,000 Chocolate covered marshmallows and hazelnuts Homemade sweets

I love experiments.I found a recipe for sweets for cooking with children in one of the cookbooks. Nuts, chocolate and gooey marshmallows. Everything I love in one recipe. I decided to try and share my impressions. I did it for a big company, so I did a lot at once. It turned out 12 large candies. You can, of course, take fewer ingredients and a smaller form too.

Ingredients

General information

Total cooking time

2 h
40 minutes

Active cooking time

10 minutes

Difficulty

Light

Servings

5

Video recipe

First, let’s prepare all the ingredients.We take the form in which our candies will solidify. You can take any form, I took the size of 29x23x5 cm. We completely cover the form with cling film so that the sweets can be easily obtained later.

We put a saucepan with a small amount of water on the stove, bring to a boil, put a deep, wide bowl on top as in the video. We make a so-called “water bath”.

Put chocolate and butter in a bowl.Stir until the chocolate and butter are completely melted. Then add a couple of teaspoons of maple syrup and mix well again.

Immediately add the marshmallows and almonds. We mix for literally a few minutes so that the marshmallows do not have time to melt. We remove everything from the stove and immediately carefully spread the chocolate mixture into the mold. The mixture hardens quickly, so put it out right away.

Let the chocolate cool for 30 minutes, cover the form with cling film or a lid, and send it to the freezer for 2 hours.

Before drinking tea, take out the candies, carefully take them out of the mold. Decorate with powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Carefully cut with a sharp knife and serve to the table.Store the candy in the refrigerator to keep the chocolate from melting.
Surely you can say that it is easier to buy chocolates in the store and not waste time. But you can make such candies with any sweets you like. You can add marmalade, raisins, your favorite nuts and marshmallow.

Enjoy your tea and delicious mood. Support me by subscribing to my culinary YouTube channel Sitting Eating! Likes, too, will be glad! Videos are released twice a week!
https: // www.youtube.com/channel/UCq3DfwPxeBil0WVX82qLthw?view_as=subscriber

Share the recipe with your friends!

90,000 Why does a man not give gifts and flowers: the main reasons

Feelings are not material – we will not argue with this. Only not a single woman has deliberately refused gifts (and needless to say that only mercantile bitches breed men for gifts). But bad luck – not every man gives gifts.From some of them you won’t even get a lousy chocolate or rose. Many say – stinginess. It turns out there is a completely rational explanation for this, and it does not always come down to stinginess. WANT.ua found out what was the matter – why some men gladly fill up a woman with gorgeous gifts, while from others you can’t even interrogate a cheap trinket?

WHY A MAN DOESN’T GIVE FLOWERS

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According to one theory, a man does not give flowers to a girl, because he does not understand anything about them and considers buying a bouquet, which in a day or two will be in the trash can as a waste of money.On the other hand, few men realize that flowers are a catalyst for a good mood in women. Some men are embarrassed to express feelings with flowers and are afraid that the girl will not like the bouquet. There is another category of guys who are ashamed to appear in modern society with a bouquet of flowers – the reason is the fear of looking like henpecked, guilty husband, romantic, traitor. Therefore, such an idea of ​​how to buy flowers for a beloved woman or order flower delivery in a man’s thoughts is sometimes postponed for a very long time or even permanently.Of course, this idea can be carefully cultivated in his head and one day he will still bring you a bunch of flowers, but you should be patient.
So, not always a guy does not give flowers because he is greedy or does not love you, just stereotypes imposed by society or its principles are much deeper in him than feelings for you.

GUY DOESN’T GIVE GIFTS: UNNECESSARY ATTRIBUTE

There is a category of people who consider gifts as an absolutely unnecessary attribute in a relationship.They say, you can’t buy feelings, and why waste time choosing them if I’m not a romantic, guys think. Such men express their feelings through care, love, tenderness, attention, help, but they cannot buy a gift. He may be perfect in everything, but not realize that little things like gifts are important to you. Why not tell the guy about it in this case? Do not throw up a scandal and do not make claims, but tactfully hint that a cute trinket, donated for no reason, can cheer you up.A smart man will understand everything and at least occasionally you will receive gifts.

GUY GIVES NOTHING: GREED

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The most common variant when a man does not give a girl any gifts or flowers is greed. Sadly, this is one of the most common options and it is quite difficult to identify a “symptom”, it is even more difficult not to confuse it with the previous point.After all, greedy men can also sing about eternal love, about a beautiful starry sky and about paradise in a hut, but they will never give you even a chamomile. Greedy men count every ruble spent, because he earned it with sweat and blood, and spending money on all sorts of nonsense, which are considered gifts, is not comme il faut for them. Explaining to a greedy man that you need gifts is impossible, he will immediately release all the dogs on you and accuse you of commercialism.

GUY DOES NOT GIVE ANYTHING: LOVES / DOES NOT LOVE

The main thing that makes men spend money on a woman is interest in her.To win over the girl of interest to themselves, the guys begin to court, give gifts, flowers, invite to the cinema, cafe, theater. In a word, they create a romantic atmosphere. For some men, giving gifts is a matter of course even after the candy-bouquet period, for others – flowers for the first date, and then only for the holidays. This can be understood and accepted.

Only now, when a man does not give gifts at all, and you observe coldness in his relationship, it means that he does not attach much importance to your relationship.He is sure that you will not go anywhere without them, that he found himself a girl to satisfy sexual needs, who does not need to pay, and it is not necessary to give gifts either. He just needs sex, and he doesn’t care about your wishes and feelings. A man doesn’t care what your mood is, as long as you don’t deny him sex. Think about whether you should continue with a man who is indifferent to you, the relationship.

THE MAN DOESN’T GIVE FLOWERS AND GIFTS: THIS IS YOUR WINES

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Remember the face with which you met your chosen one, when he brought you not what you would like to receive.For example, instead of a gorgeous bouquet of red roses, he brought a bouquet of tulips or chrysanthemums, and from the doorway, instead of a smile and “Thank you!” began to build a displeased face with the words “What kind of broom did you bring me?” or “It would be better if I didn’t bring anything at all!”

Or he mixed up the ring you liked in a jewelry one and bought a little different one, and you made a scandal. Or you bought a perfume that is not your style, and you defiantly threw it into the trash can.