Dalgona candy - Healthy or not? Here is what you need to know about ppopgi, the sweet Squid Game fame (2024)

In the era of social media, new trends keep emerging every day. Read on to know what expert has to say about the healthiness of the dalgona candy trend.

Dalgona candy - Healthy or not? Here is what you need to know about ppopgi, the sweet Squid Game fame (2)

Seong gi hun, played by lee jung jae, in Squid Game | Photo Credit: Netflix Squid Game&nbsp

Key Highlights

  • Soon after the release of Squid Game, everyone on the internet was talking about the Korean drama
  • Ppopgi, also known as dalgona candy gained fame and momentum within a short time
  • Have you ever wondered how healthy dalgona candy is?

New Delhi:In the era of social media, new trends keep emerging every day. The quarantine and lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic made a chef out of everyone. It did not take a long time for food trends such as the Dalgona Coffee and Nature's Cereal to catch on. The entertainment industry is one of the most impactful factors that contribute to the setting of trends. After the astronomical success of the Korean drama, Squid Game, the Red Light Green Light game was not the only thing that took the internet by storm. A new food trend came into being with dalgona candy, or as the Koreans call it, ppopgi. This popular retro street snack was a part of one of the games in the series. And before you know it, everyone on the internet was talking about this snack.

Call it nostalgia or keeping up with the trends, ppopgi, also known as dalgona candy gained fame and momentum within a short time. However, if it is a food trend, it ought to have certain implications on health. Have you ever wondered how healthy dalgona candy is?

Times Now Digital connected with a Dr Monal Velangi, PhD, CDE, in Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics at KJ Somaiya Hospital to gain insight into the healthiness of the dalgona candy trend.

Dalgona candy - Nutritional value

Dr Monal Velangi elaborated on the nutritional value of a classic dalgona candy and said, “1 small handmade dalgona candy is made from about 1.5 tablespoons of sugar and a pinch of baking soda. Nutritionally speaking, one classic dalgona candy contains approximately calories 60 kcal.”

Other nutritional information is as follows:

Nutrition Value
Total carbohydrate 15 g
Sugars 15 g
Sodium 274 mg

Dalgona candy - Healthy or not?

According to the expert, being loaded with sugar could make this candy packed with energy and can give an energy boost during low blood sugar scenarios. However, consuming refined sugar is not recommended for health and fitness purposes.

Dr Velangi also highlighted a major drawback of this candy that is being overlooked due to the fandom. She said, “Though it is free of dietary fat, the excess sugar can get converted to body fat and gets stored in fat (adipose tissues) resulting in weight gain and related disorders."

"This candy offers only empty calories from sugar, it lacks all the nutritive factors – vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, polyphenols, and other functional nutrients,” she added.

Is dalgona candy healthy? Well, sweet treats are tempting foods that are cherished by everyone. Preparing, playing with, and eating dalgona candy with family and friends can be a fun and fulfilling experience. However, it might notbe an ideal food choice. So is it bad? Not entirely if moderation is maintained. Overconsumption can be harmful as it can lead to adverse effects on weight, blood sugar levels, teeth health, and more.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

Get the Latest health news, healthy diet, weight loss, Yoga, and fitness tips, more updates on Times Now

Dalgona candy - Healthy or not? Here is what you need to know about ppopgi, the sweet Squid Game fame (2024)

FAQs

Dalgona candy - Healthy or not? Here is what you need to know about ppopgi, the sweet Squid Game fame? ›

Dalgona candy - Nutritional value

What is the Squid Game dalgona candy Challenge? ›

Now the Squid Game challenge or Dalgona challenge is to remove the inner shape from the outer part without the inner shape cracking at all. In the Squid Game series, the participants are given a needle to do this.

What is a fun fact about dalgona candy? ›

It is a popular street snack from the 1960s, and is still eaten as a retro food. When a pinch of baking soda is mixed into melted sugar, the thermal decomposition of the baking soda releases carbon dioxide, which makes the liquidized sugar puff up and becomes a light and crunchy candy once cooled and hardened.

What is the meaning of dalgona in Squid Game? ›

Dalgona, which means “honeycomb toffee” in Korean, is a type of candy that rose in popularity after the Korean War.

Is dalgona bad for you? ›

After all, Dalgona is made with three very common household ingredients to make something fancy. There's nothing unsafe about it. Except that it's unhealthy, very high in calories.

What does dalgona taste like? ›

What does dalgona coffee taste like? Because it's made up of equal parts water, coffee and sugar, dalgona coffee tastes like a sweet cup of coffee. The whip has a very smooth texture, almost like a meringue!

What happens if you break the dalgona? ›

At the center of the dalgona is an indentation of the player's chosen shape. With only 10 minutes on the clock, the players must extricate their shape with the needle without breaking the candy. If the clock runs out or they break the candy, they are eliminated (ie. they are killed).

Is Dalgona candy healthy? ›

According to the expert, being loaded with sugar could make this candy packed with energy and can give an energy boost during low blood sugar scenarios. However, consuming refined sugar is not recommended for health and fitness purposes.

Can dalgona be eaten? ›

It's slightly bitter, but has a sweet aftertaste. Its main appeal is the velvety and soft texture – you could be eating coffee-flavoured cream. Mmmmmmm. While it's smooth enough to sip at, you can of course mix the foamy mixture into the hot milk you've topped – once you've delighted in your success, that is.

Why is dalgona popular? ›

Dalgona has garnered immense popularity due to its visually appealing appearance, creamy texture, and frothy foam, making it a global craze among coffee lovers seeking a sweet and satisfying beverage experience.

What does dalgona mean? ›

dalgona in British English

(ˌdɑːlˈɡəʊnə ) noun. a South Korean sweet made from sugar and bicarbonate of soda.

What is Dalgona candy made of? ›

Similar to honeycomb toffee candy, dalgona is basically made by melting sugar and stirring in a little bit of baking soda. The sugar mixture then foams up and turns into something that looks like light caramel-colored whipped cream.

Why does my Dalgona candy burn? ›

Do not sure the flame up too high. As the sugar starts melting, it will burn very quickly, especially on high heat. So, keep it at medium heat and a close eye on it. If you don't let the dalgona candy rest for a couple of seconds before pressing the cookie cutter in, it will get stuck.

Can we eat dalgona candy? ›

Dalgona candy is an old school Korean honeycomb candy that's similar to seafoam or honeycomb toffee or the inside of a Crunchie bar. It's sweet and crunchy and delicious.

Is dalgona coffee real? ›

Dalgona coffee, also known as hand beaten coffee, is a beverage originating from Macau made by whipping equal parts instant coffee powder, sugar, and hot water until it becomes creamy and then adding it to cold or hot milk. Occasionally, it is topped with coffee powder, cocoa, crumbled biscuits, or honey.

How does the squid game cookie challenge work? ›

The Dalgona cookie challenge

Similarly to the series, the contestants must cut out the shape inside their cookie without it breaking. Unlike the series, the contestants knew to moisten the cookies before beginning to make it easier.

What did player 299 do? ›

During Squid Game: The Challenge, one of the most iconic moments has been player 299 breaking down over the Dalgona cookie challenge. God, love him. He was seen giving in to accepting the umbrella, and then retching when it came to actually completing the challenge.

What is the reward of the squid game challenge? ›

PEOPLE can confirm that the immigration adjudicator has received her historic $4.56 million prize after beating out 455 other players in a series of grueling trials inspired by the award-winning Korean drama series.

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