Just How Bad Are Those Little Candy Corns?
I started October with a vow to eat less sugar, drink more water and generally be healthier. I’m giving myself a B- overall, but I would be doing better if candy corn wasn’t dragging down my grade. My kids don’t love it, my husband doesn’t eat it, but what would Halloween be without a big bowl of candy corn on the counter? I will tell you what it would be! It would be an A!
I cannot stop eating it. I am in danger of turning into a candy corn. But, it is so small, and it has a vegetable in its name. How bad can it be? On October 30th, I can finally bring myself to check it out.
UGH! Yes, CAPITAL UGH! Not that I expected anything different, but here it goes.
Ingredients: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Confectioner’s Glaze, Salt, Dextrose, Gelatin, Sesame Oil, Artificial Flavor, Honey, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 3
Calories: 19 pieces = 140 calories
Grams of sugar in 19 pieces = 32g the equivalent of 8 tsp of sugar (consider that the American Heart Association recommends an upper limit of 25 g of sugar per day for women)
Fat: None
K. Got it. Not good for you. All sugar! I have only hours left to try to show some willpower and not eat the candy corn on my counter — and yes, I do realize I have the power to put it away. Did I mention what would Halloween be without a bowl of candy corn? Then I have to struggle with the trick-or-treat stash. Help!
For tomorrow, here are some Tips to limit the sugar:
- Only serve water … no sugary drinks
- Put fresh vegetables on the counter after school to fill them up
- Serve a healthy dinner as soon as they come in from trick or treating and insist they wait to hit the sweets until after dinner.
- Have your kids pick out the candy they don’t like and donate it immediately … before you start eating it.
- Teach kids about what sugar will do to their bodies, and help them learn the skills they need to self-restrict. It will serve them in the long run.
