Ask JJ: Healthier Halloween Candy?

Dear JJ: I have a coworker who, during the holiday season, puts "healthier" versions of sweets in the office break room. Determined they are guilt-free (or at least better), I sometimes grab a few bites that inevitably become more than a few bites. What's my best option to navigate potentially dietary derailments during the inevitable holiday crapfest? Every October, blogs surface by health-minded, well-intended writers showing how you can tweak Halloween candy. Typically these "healthier" versions are lower in calories and fat. But are they really healthier? Not necessarily, at least from a sugar-impact standpoint. Let's look at a few "healthier" substitutions experts sometimes suggest and how they actually stack up. Substitute raisins for Tootsie Rolls. Truth: A mini-box of raisins packs 20 grams of sugar, whereas six Tootsie Rolls has 19 grams. Substitute a granola bar for a Snickers fun-size bar. Truth: A Snickers fun size bar has 8.5 grams of sugar, yet a "healthy" Kind granola bar contains 9. Substitute a Fruit Roll-Up for Twizzlers. Truth: Whereas four Twizzlers have 19 grams of sugar, four Fruit roll ups contain 28. Substitute dried fruit for gummy bears. One serving of gummy bears contains 17 grams of sugar. Five pieces (one serving) of organic unsweetened pineapple rings contain 22. The truth is that "low-fat" or "reduced calorie" usually translate into high-sugar foods. These sugary swaps elevate insulin levels, contributing to insulin resistance, Type 2 di...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news