Candy: The Good and the Bad
Well, Halloween is over, but the abundance of left over
candy is not. From peanut butter pumpkins to bowls of candy corn, it seems at
every turn candy is tempting you. You don’t have to fight temptation, because
most things in life are good in moderation. However, being educated on the top
healthiest candies and the top least healthy candies can help you to make
better choices for next Halloween. Check them all out below!
There is nothing sweeter than living independently with confidence.
Candy may satisfy your sweet tooth, but the right emergency medical device can satisfy
all your personal protection needs. If you’re an aging senior looking to boost
your at-home safety, it might be time to check out Life Alert Protection. While
wearing their lightweight, waterproof emergency pendant around your neck or
wrist, you can summon an emergency medical response fast with just one touch of
a button. No matter what life threatening emergency you may face, Life Alert’s
dispatch team is available 24/7 to send you the proper authorities fast. Sweeten
your safety pot by getting Life Alert today!
Want to know if what you’re unwrapping is just as good for
your body as it tastes? Check out Everyday Health’s[1]
list of top healthy and unhealthy candies below. Enjoy!
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 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.
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 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.
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, 1.5 g protein.
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.
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 Halloween, 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.
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.
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
suggests 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Not all candy is created equal! Next time you go to grab a
sweet treat, think twice about what to choose, because while it may taste
sweet, what it offers you might not be. The same goes for your independent
lifestyle. While it may seem great to live solo, reality does strike when you
are faced with a life threatening emergency. What would you do if you came face
to face with a home invasion, a home fire or even a serious fall with no way to
reach for help? If you are unable to achieve a reliable answer, it’s time to unwrap
the sweetest treat of all - Life Alert. While wearing Life Alert’s emergency
pendant around your neck or wrist, you can summon help fast with just one touch
of a button. No matter what life threatening emergency you may face, Life
Alert’s sweet dispatch team will send you the proper authorities fast, 24/7.
Treat yourself to something that will satisfy more than just your sweet tooth;
get Life Alert Protection today! For a free Life Alert brochure call
1-800-513-2934.
Works Cited:
1.
Migala, Jessica. “The 6 Best and the 5 Worst
Candies for Your Health.” Everyday
Health. 29 October 2018. <https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/best-and-worst-candies-for-your-health/ >.