Each year during the Halloween season, people opt for the “healthier” sugar-free candy options that line grocery store aisles. But are sugar-free candies really better for our stomachs?
Each year during the Halloween season, people opt for the “healthier” sugar-free candy options that line grocery store aisles. But are sugar-free candies really better for our stomachs? Some gastrointestinal experts suggest that reaching for the full-sugar options might actually be better in the long run.
Most candy is high in sugar and carbs but low in fiber, making it a nightmare for our digestive tracts. For this reason, gastro experts don’t generally recommend candy at all, but during Halloween, it’s hard to resist the temptation of chocolates, gummy bears, and candy bars. However, specialists have pinpointed a few of the worst candies for your stomach.
- Milk chocolate candy without nuts. This is one of the worst candies for your stomach because chocolate is a diuretic, meaning consuming too much of it could result in diarrhea. Eating milk chocolate with nuts will probably still cause GI tract issues, but the nuts provide some nutritional benefits.
- Sugar-free candy with sugar substitutes. Sugar alcohols, such as Sorbitol, in sugar substitutes usually act as a laxative, so while eating sugar-free candies may feel like you’re gaming the system, they could actually cause serious GI distress.
- Processed candies like licorice. Candies that contain a lot of processed sugar and artificial ingredients can wreak havoc on your digestive system. Candies with high fructose corn syrup, modified soy lecithin, or Tertiary Butylhydroquinone in the ingredient list should be avoided.
But do not fear, there are a few candies that gastroenterologists have deemed acceptable for Halloween night feasting.
- Dark chocolate with nuts. Nuts are a good source of fiber, and the higher the cacao percentage in your chocolate, the better for your body. Dark chocolate has even been found to produce a special enzyme in your stomach that reduces inflammation.
- Gummy bears and gelatin candies. Some gastro experts recommend gelatin as a beneficial treat for your stomach lining health. Just take care not to overindulge in these sugary treats.
- Jellybeans are low-calorie and low-sugar candies, so enjoying them in moderation won’t do any damage to your gut.
Contact a Gastroenterologist Today
Gastrointestinal problems may get worse around the Halloween season due to heightened candy consumption, but if you experience discomfort and bloating year-round, it might be a sign of an underlying problem. A call to the gastro experts at GastroCare LI is the first step toward a healthier, happier life. Call our office at (516) 265-7049 or fill out an online contact form to schedule an appointment today.
FAQs
Milk chocolate candy without nuts. This is one of the worst candies for your stomach because chocolate is a diuretic, meaning consuming too much of it could result in diarrhea. Eating milk chocolate with nuts will probably still cause GI tract issues, but the nuts provide some nutritional benefits.
What is the healthiest candy to give out for Halloween? ›
20 Healthier Halloween Candy Choices
- Hershey's Special Dark. This classic is easy to love thanks to the antioxidant benefits of dark chocolate. ...
- Twizzlers. ...
- Peanut M&Ms. ...
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Miniatures. ...
- Tootsie Rolls. ...
- 3 Musketeers. ...
- Tootsie Pop. ...
- Payday.
High-fat, high-sugar foods can slow down digestion, leading to discomfort and bloating. You should also be aware that unusual additives and artificial coloring used in Halloween candies can trigger food sensitivities in some individuals, leading to symptoms such as nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.
What is the #1 most hated candy? ›
The Worst Halloween Candy
| Candy | Percent of American's who hate receiving that candy |
|---|
| Candy Corn | 36% |
| Hot Tamales | 26.1% |
| Atomic Fireball | 23.9% |
| Jawbreaker | 21.7% |
16 more rowsOct 29, 2023
Gummy bears and gelatin candies. Some gastro experts recommend gelatin as a beneficial treat for your stomach lining health. Just take care not to overindulge in these sugary treats. Jellybeans are low-calorie and low-sugar candies, so enjoying them in moderation won't do any damage to your gut.
Are airheads bad for your stomach? ›
In general, eating candy in moderation is the best approach. Halloween candy like Airheads, Sour Patch Kids, and Smarties in moderation make the list of top five healthiest candies. Holiday peppermint candy may aid in digestion, kill bacteria, and help with headaches.
Can twizzlers cause stomach pain? ›
Pure sugar candy, not containing any chocolate or nuts, had 0% fiber. Fiber, as we know, helps move things through your digestive system. Overloading your stomach with gummies, Skittles, Sweet Tarts, and Twizzlers may leave you with a serious upset stomach and a backed up system, if you will.
What is the #1 candy for trick or treaters? ›
Most popular Halloween candy in the U.S.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were voted the number one most popular Halloween candy in the nation, followed by M&M's and Hot Tamales. These are the candies that are most likely to make it into your bag.
How bad is one Jolly Rancher? ›
Jolly Ranchers. One Jolly Rancher contains 7 grams of sugar and 40 calories, making these candies a close second to Smarties in the healthiest Halloween candy game. But remember, that's just one Rancher, so if you grab a handful, you'll need to multiply these numbers.
What is the top 3 Halloween candy? ›
The top ten most popular candy in 2023 according to CandyStore.com is as follows:
- Reeses Cups.
- M&Ms. ...
- Hot Tamales. ...
- Skittles. ...
- Sour Patch Kids. ...
- Starburst.
- Hershey Kisses. ...
- Candy Corn.
Many old-fashioned lollipops are fine, as are small “fun size” chocolates. Gummy candies, from bears to Swedish fish are okay, too. Even the sour kind of gummy candies can be low FODMAP - but always check labels! Many hard candies, such as Jolly Ranchers, are low FODMAP candy as are many peanut butter cups.
What candy is good for GERD? ›
Sour Patch Kids.
While these mouth-puckering gummies are a love 'em or leave 'em candy for many, they are a safe bet for GERD and IBS as the sour flavor could actually help calm flare-ups.
What candy makes you gassy? ›
Lollipops are liquified and hardened sugar and since sugar is a carbohydrate, it is the cause of excessive gas in your body. This build-up of gas causes stomach cramps. This same reaction can come from apples and other types of hard candy. Be wary of those red, tempting candied applies.
What is the most fattening candy? ›
The Highest Calorie Candy Bars
- Symphony milk chocolate bar: 149 calories/ounce.
- Skor: 149 calories/ounce.
- Mr. ...
- Kit Kat: 145 calories/ounce.
- Hershey's Chocolate Bar with Almonds: 144 calories/ounce.
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: 144 calories/ounce.
- Peanut M&Ms: 144 calories/ounce.
- Twix Caramel: 143 calories/ounce.
1: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. This perennial favorite easily finished first in the candy derby, earning the title of most popular Halloween candy in 18 states, including densely populated ones like California, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
Is KitKat or Twix healthier? ›
Kit Kat, in second place, has “higher traces of vitamin D, iron, calcium and potassium” compared to Reese's Sticks and a relatively lower fat content compared to the others. Snickers just avoided the last slot because it has less saturated fat than Twix, which Valdez deemed “the worst candy of the choices.”
What Halloween candy has the most sugar? ›
Nerds Candy ranks as the candy with the highest sugar quantity, with a substantial 93g of sugar per 100g.
