Don’t Let These Treats Trick You With Their Clever Food Labeling
This is a festive, playful time of year for you to enjoy with family and friends. Here’s a quick email so you’re not tricked by Halloween treats. Don’t be fooled by the tricks of packaging and labeling when it comes time for treats.
Candy labeled gluten-free: Unless it has wheat, barley, or rye it will already be gluten-free. Just because it’s labeled gluten-free doesn’t mean it’s a healthy alternative. According to FDA rules, any food product with less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten may be labeled “gluten-free”, even if it is naturally free of gluten. However, many holiday treats are made from sugar, corn syrup, and artificial colors, all of which are naturally gluten-free. Don’t be tricked that the candy corn label ‘gluten-free’ will be a healthier alternative than the candy corn not labeled ‘gluten-free’. Calorie for calorie both versions of candy corn are the same. Therefore if candy corn is the treat you want to enjoy, do so in moderation.
Candy labeled fat-free: Foods that are made primarily from sugar and corn syrup will be fat-free because sugar and corn syrup are fat-free by nature. However, all forms of sugar still provide calories per gram. Therefore a serving of jelly beans will be fat-free, however it provides 27 grams of sugar. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the maximum amount of added sugars you should eat in a day are: Men: 150 calories per day (37.5 grams or 9 tsp) Women: 100 calories per day (25 grams or 6 tsp) Bottom line...don’t be fooled by this trick that “fat free” candy is actually a healthy alternative.
Candy labeled all natural or made with “raw sugar”: Foods may be labeled using natural sugar, raw sugar, date sugar, rice syrup, and agave as healthier alternatives. These ingredients are another name and version of sugar. They still provide 4 calories per gram and your body will still process them as sugar. Overconsumption of any form of sugar, whether it is agave, honey, date sugar, cane sugar, or table sugar will still provide excess calories. Calories not used by the body for energy will cause weight gain. Make an informed decision about the treats you enjoy. Don’t eat the “natural” candy because you assume it’s healthier for you. Eat it because you really enjoy the food. Slow down and savor your treats!
Candy labeled sugar-free: Sugar-free candy does not mean it is a “free” food to be eaten in unlimited quantities. Actually, quite the opposite. Many sugar-free candies are made with sugar alcohols. While they’re known to be safe for consumers, sugar alcohols usually come with a few side effects, including an upset stomach caused by their laxative effect (yes, you know what that means!). To set the record straight on this trick, I never recommend sugar-free candy. Sugar-free candy still contains calories and usually doesn’t taste very good. I find it often causes people to eat large portions, resulting in excess calorie intake as well as major GI distress. Skip the sugar-free candy and instead opt for a real treat—perhaps some fine dark chocolate!
Enjoy this holiday, but do so making an informed and educated decision. Don’t let clever marke
ting and fancy food packaging trick you into thinking candy is healthy. Candy is candy. Eat what you love in moderation.
Happy Halloween!
Alyssa
