Beware being tricked by 'healthy' Halloween candy, nutritionists warn
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As Halloween fast approaches, the candy aisles have become flooded with sweet treats packed with calories, sugars, and additives.
Several brands have promoted 'healthier' options that market themselves as a more virtuous alternative, using health-related terms such as 'no added sugar', 'dentist-approved', and 'free from scary ingredients'.
However, a DailyMail.com investigation has found five 'healthy' candy brands that may not necessarily be a better alternative.
Not only are they twice the price as regular candy - costing up to $10 for a small bag - some contain additives that have been linked to digestive issues, while others are packed with more sugar than a Krispy Kreme donut.
Camilla Gray, nutritional therapist in the UK, told DailyMail.com: 'Candy is not a health food, so it shouldn't be branded as such. Clever marketing phrases like "organic," "vegan," "low sugar," "sugar-free," or "gluten-free" trick parents into thinking that is better or more nutritious, but that simply isn't the case.'
Several brands have promoted 'healthier' options that they claim are allergy-friendly, keto-friendly, and dentist-approved. However, a DailyMail.com investigation has found that five 'healthy' candy brands contain still contain harmful ingredients and additives
Experts told DailyMail.com that 'traditional candy has very little or no nutritional value'
Other experts have accused the food companies of 'health-washing'.
'It's tricking the consumer,' says Sapna Bhalsod, a registered dietitian at nutrition firm, WellTheory. 'It's making them think, oh, this is healthy, maybe consuming this candy won't have repercussions.'
Here are five 'healthy' candies that are anything but...
VEGAN 'M&M'S' WITH AS MUCH SUGAR AS A DONUT
No Whey! Choco No No's Minis have 14 grams of sugar
Choco No No's 'milk-like chocolate candies' are a 'dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan' substitute for M&M's, that cost $2.95 per pack (twice as much as the real deal).
The company's website assures customers they can 'snack happy knowing that your treat is vegan and all natural'.
While these chocolates may not contain any artificial flavourings, they do contain a whopping 14 grams of sugar - three and a half teaspoons and nearly 50 percent more than a Krispy Kreme. Donut or two Chips Ahoy! cookies.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to around six to nine teaspoons per day, to reduce the risk of tooth decay as well as weight-related problems like diabetes and heart disease.
Also, a 1.6ounce pack contains only 10 fewer calories than the same sized packet of M&M's - and excess calories leads to weight gain.
THE SUGARY TREATS MADE WITH GREEN ALGAE
All of the candies in this variety pack have between two and four teaspoons of sugar
Yum Earth's Halloween variety pack costs $23.99, and a selection of the brand's bestsellers: Organic Gummy Fruits, Organic Pops, and Organic Giggles - chewy bite-sized candies.
Yum Earth claims on the packaging that the products are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free and, oddly, fish-free.
They are also all organic, vegan, non-genetically modified, and contain no artificial colors.
However, all of the candies in the variety pack contain between eight and 10 grams of added sugars. This is up to four teaspoons, about one-third of the American Heart Association's daily recommended limit of six teaspoons for women and nine for men.
They also contain the trendy supplement spirulina, which is made from blue-green algae. If it grows in bodies of water polluted with heavy metals or bacteria, it can be contaminated with toxins.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), blue-green algae can interact with diabetes and immunosuppressant medications, making them less effective.
'HEALTHIER' PEANUT BUTTER CUPS WITH MORE CALORIES THAN A COOKIE
Unreal peanut butter cups only contain 20 more calories than a Reese's version.
Unreal claims its Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups have 36 percent less sugar than competitors like Reese's.
Sugar-wise, they are superior, with four times less than Reese's. However, the dark chocolate, palm oil and peanuts in these candies mean they're still 80 calories each, which is only 20 fewer than a Reese's and only slightly less than two Chips Ahoy! cookies.
The candy, which costs $6.79 for a 4oz bag, also contains inulin, a prebiotic that helps support the growth of healthy gut bacteria. However, it has also been linked to digestive symptoms.
'KETO WITH 20 GRAMS OF CARBS
Though the candy claims to be keto-friendly, meaning it has few or zero carbohydrates, it still contains 20 grams of carbs
Taffy is notorious for getting stuck in your teeth, which can lead to cavities, gum inflammation, and jaw pain.
But Zolli Zaffi's Keto Taffy, priced at around $9.99 for a 3oz bag, is 'Parent, Dentist & Teacher approved' 'and 'do not stick to your teeth', according to its website.
A label on the front of the packet reads: 'The after you eat treat for a healthy smile!' However, It is not clear what it is about the candy that prevents this from happening.
This taffy has swapped the sugar for 20grams of the artificial sweeteners erythritol and xylitol per five sweets. Some research has suggested erythritol could be linked to an increased risk of weight gain, and many sweeteners are known to alter the healthy bacteria in our guts, leading to digestive symptoms like constipation, bloating, and diarrhea.
'Those sugar alternatives can cause havoc on our digestive system and our guts,' Ms Bhalsod said.
Though the candy claims to be keto-friendly - meaning it has few or zero carbohydrates - it still contains 20 grams of carbs per five sweets. The Mayo Clinic advises low-carb diets stick to a daily limit of 20 to 57 grams, which leaving little room for carbs eaten throughout the rest of the day.
'Maybe this candy can be considered Keto XP Experience-friendly if this is the only carbohydrate you're eating that day,' Ms Bhalsod said. 'Most of the time, that's not the case.'
HARD CANDIES THAT COULD GIVE YOU BAD GAS
While allulose is low in calories, it has been linked to gut like bloating, gas, and diarrhea
'Healthy' candy brand SmartSweets say in promotional videos that they 'kick sugar', with their products omitting artificial sweeteners too.
The different candies come in colorful bags and feature gummies shaped like watermelons, worms, and bears. The brand also sells hard candy, lollipops, and chewy caramel.
Despite the claims, some varieties still contain some sugar - the sweet chews, for instance, which cost $3.99 for a 1.6ounce bag, contain three grams - just under a teaspoon.
What's more, a 45g of SmartSweets caramels still contains 140 calories - only 10 less than a Twinkie.
The candies also contain the natural sweetener allulose, which is found in raisins, figs, jackfruit, maple syrup, and molasses.
Allulose is low in calories, but it has been linked to gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea when eaten in large quantities.
US Health Weekend Features ProjectVeganism
Several brands have promoted 'healthier' options that market themselves as a more virtuous alternative, using health-related terms such as 'no added sugar', 'dentist-approved', and 'free from scary ingredients'.
However, a DailyMail.com investigation has found five 'healthy' candy brands that may not necessarily be a better alternative.
Not only are they twice the price as regular candy - costing up to $10 for a small bag - some contain additives that have been linked to digestive issues, while others are packed with more sugar than a Krispy Kreme donut.
Camilla Gray, nutritional therapist in the UK, told DailyMail.com: 'Candy is not a health food, so it shouldn't be branded as such. Clever marketing phrases like "organic," "vegan," "low sugar," "sugar-free," or "gluten-free" trick parents into thinking that is better or more nutritious, but that simply isn't the case.'
Several brands have promoted 'healthier' options that they claim are allergy-friendly, keto-friendly, and dentist-approved. However, a DailyMail.com investigation has found that five 'healthy' candy brands contain still contain harmful ingredients and additives
Experts told DailyMail.com that 'traditional candy has very little or no nutritional value'
Other experts have accused the food companies of 'health-washing'.
'It's tricking the consumer,' says Sapna Bhalsod, a registered dietitian at nutrition firm, WellTheory. 'It's making them think, oh, this is healthy, maybe consuming this candy won't have repercussions.'
Here are five 'healthy' candies that are anything but...
VEGAN 'M&M'S' WITH AS MUCH SUGAR AS A DONUT
No Whey! Choco No No's Minis have 14 grams of sugar
Choco No No's 'milk-like chocolate candies' are a 'dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan' substitute for M&M's, that cost $2.95 per pack (twice as much as the real deal).
The company's website assures customers they can 'snack happy knowing that your treat is vegan and all natural'.
While these chocolates may not contain any artificial flavourings, they do contain a whopping 14 grams of sugar - three and a half teaspoons and nearly 50 percent more than a Krispy Kreme. Donut or two Chips Ahoy! cookies.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to around six to nine teaspoons per day, to reduce the risk of tooth decay as well as weight-related problems like diabetes and heart disease.
Also, a 1.6ounce pack contains only 10 fewer calories than the same sized packet of M&M's - and excess calories leads to weight gain.
THE SUGARY TREATS MADE WITH GREEN ALGAE
All of the candies in this variety pack have between two and four teaspoons of sugar
Yum Earth's Halloween variety pack costs $23.99, and a selection of the brand's bestsellers: Organic Gummy Fruits, Organic Pops, and Organic Giggles - chewy bite-sized candies.
Yum Earth claims on the packaging that the products are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free and, oddly, fish-free.
They are also all organic, vegan, non-genetically modified, and contain no artificial colors.
However, all of the candies in the variety pack contain between eight and 10 grams of added sugars. This is up to four teaspoons, about one-third of the American Heart Association's daily recommended limit of six teaspoons for women and nine for men.
They also contain the trendy supplement spirulina, which is made from blue-green algae. If it grows in bodies of water polluted with heavy metals or bacteria, it can be contaminated with toxins.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), blue-green algae can interact with diabetes and immunosuppressant medications, making them less effective.
'HEALTHIER' PEANUT BUTTER CUPS WITH MORE CALORIES THAN A COOKIE
Unreal peanut butter cups only contain 20 more calories than a Reese's version.
Unreal claims its Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups have 36 percent less sugar than competitors like Reese's.
Sugar-wise, they are superior, with four times less than Reese's. However, the dark chocolate, palm oil and peanuts in these candies mean they're still 80 calories each, which is only 20 fewer than a Reese's and only slightly less than two Chips Ahoy! cookies.
The candy, which costs $6.79 for a 4oz bag, also contains inulin, a prebiotic that helps support the growth of healthy gut bacteria. However, it has also been linked to digestive symptoms.
'KETO WITH 20 GRAMS OF CARBS
Though the candy claims to be keto-friendly, meaning it has few or zero carbohydrates, it still contains 20 grams of carbs
Taffy is notorious for getting stuck in your teeth, which can lead to cavities, gum inflammation, and jaw pain.
But Zolli Zaffi's Keto Taffy, priced at around $9.99 for a 3oz bag, is 'Parent, Dentist & Teacher approved' 'and 'do not stick to your teeth', according to its website.
A label on the front of the packet reads: 'The after you eat treat for a healthy smile!' However, It is not clear what it is about the candy that prevents this from happening.
This taffy has swapped the sugar for 20grams of the artificial sweeteners erythritol and xylitol per five sweets. Some research has suggested erythritol could be linked to an increased risk of weight gain, and many sweeteners are known to alter the healthy bacteria in our guts, leading to digestive symptoms like constipation, bloating, and diarrhea.
'Those sugar alternatives can cause havoc on our digestive system and our guts,' Ms Bhalsod said.
Though the candy claims to be keto-friendly - meaning it has few or zero carbohydrates - it still contains 20 grams of carbs per five sweets. The Mayo Clinic advises low-carb diets stick to a daily limit of 20 to 57 grams, which leaving little room for carbs eaten throughout the rest of the day.
'Maybe this candy can be considered Keto XP Experience-friendly if this is the only carbohydrate you're eating that day,' Ms Bhalsod said. 'Most of the time, that's not the case.'
HARD CANDIES THAT COULD GIVE YOU BAD GAS
While allulose is low in calories, it has been linked to gut like bloating, gas, and diarrhea
'Healthy' candy brand SmartSweets say in promotional videos that they 'kick sugar', with their products omitting artificial sweeteners too.
The different candies come in colorful bags and feature gummies shaped like watermelons, worms, and bears. The brand also sells hard candy, lollipops, and chewy caramel.
Despite the claims, some varieties still contain some sugar - the sweet chews, for instance, which cost $3.99 for a 1.6ounce bag, contain three grams - just under a teaspoon.
What's more, a 45g of SmartSweets caramels still contains 140 calories - only 10 less than a Twinkie.
The candies also contain the natural sweetener allulose, which is found in raisins, figs, jackfruit, maple syrup, and molasses.
Allulose is low in calories, but it has been linked to gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea when eaten in large quantities.
US Health Weekend Features ProjectVeganism
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