All food contains all of the nutrients we need to be healthy, it is necessary to eat various foods in sufficient amounts. A good diet will include many different foods, and sufficient in quantity and quality to meet an individual’s need for food energy and other micro nutrients.

Beans And Legumes

Beef

Beef And Veal

Beets

Berries

CANDIES

Typical serving size:

Varies per candy bar or item

HOW THEY HARM

Weight gain Blood sugar swings Tooth decay Blood pressure in susceptible people

Allergies

WHAT THEY HEAL

Hypoglycemia

CANDY FACTS

The word candy is derived from the Arabic pronunciation of khandakah, the Sanskrit word for “sugar
”

Candies were rare treats until the widespread cultivation of sugarcane and the development of large-scale refining processes in the 17th and 18th centuries
Candies offer little nutritional value, but as an occasional part of a balanced diet, most healthy people can enjoy them
Our preference for sweet tastes is evident at a very early age and is considered to be part of human evolution
Edible berries and fruits contain natural sugars and sweetness as opposed to the bitter taste of many poisonous plants
Health Benefit Is a quick fix for those who have hypoglycemia
Five or six pieces of hard candy (less for children) are recommended for those experiencing severe drops in blood glucose

Health Risks

Weight gain
All candies are packed with simple sugars—sucrose, corn syrup, fructose—that add extra calories that add up quickly

QUICK TIP:

Chew sugarless gum for dental health Sugarless gum may help stimulate saliva flow and flush food particles out of the mouth
It may contain artificial sweeteners or “sugar alcohols,” such as xylitol
Blood sugar imbalance
Unfortunately, the rapid rise in blood sugar from eating candies can causes insulin levels to spike, which encourages the liver to convert sugar into fat
And when your blood sugar crashes after a high, you’re likely to feel hungry and tired
Tooth decay
Sweets and sugary foods form an acid bath that is corrosive to tooth enamel and create an environment where destructive, caries-causing bacteria flourish
Candies that linger in the mouth are more damaging than those quickly swallowed
Brush your teeth regularly
Blood pressure
Natural licorice is known to raise blood pressure in certain people
If you know you’re hypertensive, you may be better off avoiding licorice
However, most “licorice” candies in North America are artificially flavored and do not originate from the licorice root, so they don’t affect on blood pressure

Allergies

Most hard candies contain artificial flavors and colorings
Although there is no scientific evidence that the rigorously tested food dyes allowed in candy cause

Allergies

or adverse reactions, some people may be hypersensitive to these ingredients
If you are allergic to dyes, check the labels before consuming

Allergies

Satisfy a sweet tooth by melting 1 oz (28 g) of dark chocolate as a dip for dried fruit

Chewy chunks of candied ginger make a zesty replacement for jelly beans

Choose a single-serving candy with nuts to avoid spiking your blood sugar

Buying Tip

Check expiration dates before purchasing
Some candies can get hard or dry out
Storing Tip

Store candies in a cool, dark place away from sunlight