Hard candy cannot be labeled a “healthy” food. As the calorie calculator for hard candy shows, these foods are typically high in carbohydrate but low in protein and other nutrients. For the sake of your health, limit your intake of hard candy.
Empty Calories
The main nutritional concern with hard candy is that it provides empty calories. This simply means that hard candy contains a significant amount of calories per serving while providing relatively little nutritional value. Hard candy is often high in carbs and fats while being low in protein, vitamins and minerals. For this reason, it is recommended that you enjoy hard candy in moderation. Refer to the calorie counter to determine the calories for your favorite hard candy.
High-Glycemic Food
The fact that hard candy is high in carbohydrate from all the sugar means that it is also a high-glycemic food. The glycemic index is used to measure the impact of foods on the body’s blood sugar levels. Sugary foods like hard candy have a significant impact on blood sugar levels which makes it a high-glycemic food. These foods are okay in moderation but can be dangerous for individuals who need to regulate their blood sugar levels, like diabetics.
Because hard candy is low in nutritional value, it provides relatively few health or nutritional benefits. Perhaps the only time when hard candy can be said to provide a health benefit is if you are suffering from low blood sugar and need a quick fix.
Remedy for Hypoglycemia
If you are a diabetic, it is very important that you regulate your blood sugar levels to prevent dangerous spikes or drops in blood glucose levels. To accomplish this, many diabetics eat several small meals throughout the day and/or receive insulin injections. If you find yourself in a hypoglycemic crisis and need to boost your blood sugar quickly, hard candy may be a good option. Because hard candy consists mainly of simple sugar, it will cause a spike in blood sugar that will reverse hypoglycemia.
Danger of Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners
While some hard candy is made with natural sweeteners like honey or stevia, most commercial hard candy products are made with processed sugar and artificial sweeteners. Processed sugar is high in calories and has the potential to produce dangerous spikes in blood sugar levels. Artificial sweeteners, on the other hand, are often low in or devoid of calories but they are laden with chemicals which can have a negative impact on your health.
