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While an occasional candy bar can be part of an otherwise healthy diet, eating candy regularly can negatively affect your health. Too much candy can provide you with large amounts of unhealthy substances, such as sugars and fats. Also, if you are eating candy each day, you may not eat enough of the foods necessary for good health. Enjoy candy and other junk foods only sparingly.
Saturated fat plays a major role in the development of high cholesterol, says Medline Plus. High cholesterol can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Each gram of fat contains 9 calories, and calories from saturated fat should make up no more than 10 percent of your total calories. For example, if your regular caloric intake is 1,500 calories, you should consume no more than 150 calories from fat, or just under 17 g of saturated fat, each day. Since one candy bar can contain 11 or more grams of saturated fat, this might put you over your daily allotment when combined with other foods containing saturated fat, such as dairy products, meat, butter and certain oils.
Too much sugar of any type in your diet can lead to dental cavities, weight gain and overall poor nutrition, especially if the sugary foods are taking the place of foods containing nutrients and vitamins. The American Heart Association says that women and men should consume no more than 100 to 150 calories per day from sugar, respectively. Sugar contains 4 calories per gram. If a candy bar contains over 25 grams of sugar, this is an entire day's worth for a woman. Although, as the American Diabetes Association explains, it is a myth that eating too much sugar causes diabetes, overindulging in sugary foods can definitely raise your blood sugar levels if you already have diabetes; higher blood glucose levels can lead to more diabetes complications.
Depending on the type of candy, one serving may contain a large number of calories. According to "Fitness" Magazine, some popular brands of candy contain between 250 and 280 calories per serving. Eating candy on a regular basis may cause you to eat too many calories overall, which leads to weight gain. Overweight and obesity can cause serious health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer.
Occasionally, you may want to splurge on the calories, fat and sugar in candy and enjoy a special treat. Most of the time, however, find other ways to satisfy your sweet tooth, such as eating naturally sweet berries or small quantities of dried fruit. Some types of candy are also more diet friendly than others. Read labels to find candy that contains no saturated fat, for example. Another option is to take just a bite or two of a large candy bar and to save the rest for another day. Since the antioxidants in dark chocolate are heart-healthy, saving part of your calorie, fat and sugar allotment for a 1-oz. square of dark chocolate a few times per week is also sensible way to satisfy your craving for something sweet.
FAQs
Too much candy can provide you with large amounts of unhealthy substances, such as sugars and fats. Also, if you are eating candy each day, you may not eat enough of the foods necessary for good health. Enjoy candy and other junk foods only sparingly.
Why is candy bad for your health? ›
Along with damaging our teeth and causing various oral health problems, candy can also impair our overall health. High in sugar, artificial chemicals, preservatives, and calories, eating too much candy can elevate your risk of: Weight gain. Type 2 diabetes.
What is the most unhealthy candy to eat? ›
Here's a look at the 10 most unhealthy candies you may find in your child's bag this Halloween that you should consider tossing.
- Smarties. ...
- Candy Corn. ...
- Skittles. ...
- Snickers. ...
- Almond Joy. ...
- Raisinets. ...
- Nestlé Crunch. ...
- Peanut M&Ms.
"The effects of added sugar intake — higher blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes, and fatty liver disease — are all linked to an increased risk for heart attack and stroke," says Dr. Hu.
Why you should stop eating candy? ›
An excess of sweetened foods and beverages can lead to weight gain, blood sugar problems, and an increased risk of heart disease, among other dangerous conditions. For these reasons, added sugar should be kept to a minimum whenever possible, which is easy when you follow a nutrient-dense diet based on whole foods.
Is candy worse than Ice Cream? ›
Since ice cream and frozen yogurt contain protein and calcium, they may be a healthier treat choice than candy, chips, or other empty-calorie foods. However, both frozen treats also deliver added sugars and calories. Therefore, if you eat them, be sure to indulge only once in a while.
What is the hardest candy to digest? ›
Milk chocolate candy without nuts. This is one of the worst candies for your stomach because chocolate is a diuretic, meaning consuming too much of it could result in diarrhea. Eating milk chocolate with nuts will probably still cause GI tract issues, but the nuts provide some nutritional benefits.
What is America's #1 candy? ›
Top-selling chocolates and sweets. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are the No. 1 selling candy brand in the United States, consisting of white fudge, milk, or dark chocolate cups filled with peanut butter. They were invented by H.B. Reese after he founded the H. B. Reese Candy Company in 1923.
What is the unhealthiest candy bar? ›
Although it is slightly lower in calories than a few other contenders on this list, a full-sized 3 Musketeers bar comes in on top as the unhealthiest candy bar thanks to the whopping 36 grams of sugar in one serving.
What is the healthiest sweets to eat? ›
Healthier Desserts
- Berries and Cream. 1/12. It's a classic combo. ...
- Frozen Fruit Bars. 2/12. Some store-bought brands offer low-calorie, lower-sugar options. ...
- Dark Chocolate. 3/12. ...
- Yogurt Parfait. 4/12. ...
- Oat Apple Crisp. 5/12. ...
- Fruit and Cheese. 6/12. ...
- Chocolate-Covered Frozen Bananas. 7/12. ...
- Nut Bar. 8/12.
A Quick Review. Cutting out or limiting added sugar has several benefits. You might increase your intake of nutrient-rich foods, manage your weight, and reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease.
How does candy affect your brain? ›
However, a high sugar diet can lead to excess glucose in the brain and studies have linked excess glucose consumption to memory and cognitive deficiencies. Another reason sugar is harmful to the brain is because it affects certain neurotransmitters, which can result in sugar addictions.
How do you flush sugar out of your body? ›
Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.
