Myths and Truths about Candy

From the Hershey's website....

Myths and Truths about Candy

MYTH: Candy contributes to a large percentage of the fat and sugar in the American diet.
TRUTH: In fact, less than two percent of the fat and ten percent of the sugar in our diets are supplied by candy. Most of the fat actually comes from the high-fat animal products we eat. The main sources of sugar in America's diets are sugary beverages, baked goods and frozen desserts.
_
MYTH: Foods high in saturated fats raise cholesterol levels.
TRUTH: Contrary to popular belief, not all types of saturated fats raise blood cholesterol levels. Stearic acid, the primary saturated fatty acid found in chocolate, has been shown to have a neutral effect on blood cholesterol levels.
_
MYTH: An ounce of milk chocolate contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.
TRUTH: Actually, a one-ounce piece of milk chocolate contains about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of decaffeinated coffee. There is an average of 6 mg. of caffeine in both an ounce of milk chocolate and a cup of decaf, while a cup of regular coffee contains between 150 and 655 mg. of caffeine.
_
MYTH: The sugar in candy causes hyperactivity in children.
TRUTH: Sugar does not cause hyperactivity in children, despite wide-spread belief to the contrary. Recent studies conducted at Vanderbilt University and the University of Iowa College of Medicine found no evidence that sugar has an adverse effect on children's behavior.
_
MYTH: Candies like jelly beans, gum drops or hard candies are high in calories.
TRUTH: Not at all. One butterscotch disc has only 20 calories. Eight gum drops or eight jelly beans (the equivalent of one ounce) contain 115 calories. Even better, most of these candies are fat- and cholesterol-free, making them a healthier treat than many people realize.
_
MYTH: Chocolate is addictive.
TRUTH: Although it's true that many people love the taste of chocolate, it is not an addictive food. An addiction is a serious medical condition with specific physical and psychological symptoms. However, the desire for sweet tasting food is a strong biological drive, and it can be satisfied by eating any naturally sweet food or product made with sugar.
_
MYTH: Candy is responsible for most tooth decay.
TRUTH: Not so. Any food containing fermentable carbohydrates, such as starches or sugars, can contribute to tooth decay. It all depends on how often we eat and drink these foods and how long they remain in our mouths. Good dental hygiene and regular fluoride treatments are the best ways to prevent cavities.

Taken from: <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hersheys.com/nutrition_consumer/candy.shtml>http://www.hersheys.com/nutrition_consumer/candy.shtml</A>

you're like the johnny appleseed of chocolate here tonight, inkblot, with all these candy messages.

even though it has been freezing here, last week i broke down and bought some b&j chocolate chip cookie dough (haagen daz is my fav but they didn't have that in cookie dough where i was and I reeeeeeealy wanted the cookie dough. it was a harrowing decision, me standing in front of the ice cream freezer in dead of winter for 20 minutes trying to make up my mind...)

and right now i have a few bags of dove milk chocolate promises in my fridge (i like 'em cold and snappy) and some milky way fun size as well.

thanks inkblot for making us feel a little good about the chocolate in our lives tonight.



-- The world is what we make of it --
-- Dave
-- <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.idexter.com>http://www.idexter.com</A>

It is my pleasure to share with all of you the proper insight of chocolate and junk foods everywhere. I am glad that I have been able to indulge you and others with such high quality information tonight.

I love chocolate, especially from Le Maison du Chocolate, their dark chocolate truffles are divine, my husband gets them when in Paris, but you can go to the store in NYC, I believe in Manhattan, pricey but good
But I'll settle for Hershey choclate anyday, especially dark chocolate,.
BTW Anyone ever have Wilbur's buds? They are made in Lititz, PA, and actually started in Phil. and is similar to a Hershey kiss but a little more ornate in it's embossing, they make milk and dark choco., I use to live about 30 miles from the place. . .another one of the many things I miss living in PA.
Choclate is a craving I get during PMS, now that I am older it isn't as bad

Pass, the chocolate kisses, please!!

DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

my favorite actually is Lindt milk chocolate truffles. MAN those are smooth and delicious. I haven't had any for a while.

-- The world is what we make of it --
-- Dave
-- <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.idexter.com>http://www.idexter.com</A>

Hmmmm.....

MYTH: An ounce of milk chocolate contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.
TRUTH: Actually, a one-ounce piece of milk chocolate contains about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of decaffeinated coffee. There is an average of 6 mg. of caffeine in both an ounce of milk chocolate and a cup of decaf, while a cup of regular coffee contains between 150 and 655 mg. of caffeine.

Yes! This will get all the people that can't figure out why chocolate makes me sleepy - they tell me it has caffeine in it. HAH!

Thanks for posting this, Inkblot! You are quickly reaffirming my belief that chocolate and candy are their own separate food group and an important part of the famous "Anna" diet!

some of it's magic
some of it's tragic
but i had a good life all the way......
~jimmy buffett

I'm not too sure I believe that candy doesn't make kids hyper. Even I can feel the sugar high when I eat too much of it. One of my grandsons couldn't have candy because he would get emotionally over-wrought. I'm just not too sure about that one...


"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived."

well don't forget that it is the candy company posting this information

i doubt that they would outright lie, but it could be that the hyperactivity is a more complicated subject depending on many factors, and the candy company simplified that information in a way that shows them in the best light. It might be that sugar doesn't cause clinical hyperactivity in children (just like "doing something" didn't make us depressed or bipolar). But that doesn't mean sugar doesn't add to it and also some children may tolerate sugar without getting hyper.

I have no children so I'm not speaking from any experience, just thinking about the post.

-- The world is what we make of it --
-- Dave
-- <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.idexter.com>http://www.idexter.com</A>

Right Dexter! Actually, the sugar ITSELF might not cause the hyperactivity, but the resulting chemical reactions sure do! AND I speak from experience. I had 20 years of scouting experience before the injury, and there was a definite change/difference in the scouts (boys or girls) when they had or didn't have sugar on an outing.

We used sweets on activitites that needed the boost (such as whitewater rafting or backpacking in mtns) but for the weekly meeting, or regular campout? NO sodas, candy allowed! we couldn't get anything accomplished because they all bounced off the walls.

I might add, you also crave what you are allergice to... well, you either crave it or abhor it. So if someone, you or your child, has a real hatred or craving for something, it may be an allergy. A good ENT can help you out there... craving is just a symptom, but there are many negative outcomes from allergies.

PS milk chocolate isn't so good for our bodies, but dark chocolate does have more of the "needed" chemicals for some... actually, I prefer salty.

<font color=green>...I can misspeak like the best of us</font color=green>

Well this discussion just reminded me of the bar of Lindt Irish Creme w/ whiskey I have been saving. Yummy. I am eating it right now.

It makes sense to me, Dex! In fact, no doubt you're right on. Thinking back on birthday parties with my grandkids, some do react more to the candy than others.


"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived."