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Carbohydrates in Candy, Desserts,
Gum, Syrups, Molasses

Written by Sky Taylor, Diet Bites

Sweet Empty Calories

The negative thing surrounding most sugary desserts and candies is that the energy values are void of essential nutritional benefits. They not only tend to contain a significant amount of carbohydrates, they also contain quite a lot of calories.

As a comparison, 1 cup of lettuce contains about 10 calories. It requires a little time to consume. On the other hand, a butterscotch disc contains about 25 calories.

If we don't crunch down on it - we can also enjoy it a while. But look at the difference in size! One tiny disc compared to a one serving of vegetables. We can enjoy about 2.5 cups of the lettuce for the same number of calories as one butterscotch disc.

Therefore, choose your treats very wisely. When pies are in the mix, you'll save fat and calories - as well as carbohydrates by choosing non-fried fruit based recipes over the cream-based.

Carbs, Potassium, Calcium in Popular Syrups, Molasses, Honey

Sugar Source

Calories
Kcals

Carb Grams

Potassium mg

Calcium mg

Blackstrap Molasses

35

8

439

103

Light Molasses

40

10

138

25

Medium Molasses

38

9

159

44

Honey

61

17

10

1

Light Corn Syrup

62

16.89

0

3

Maple Syrup

52

13.5

42

20

Brown Sugar

52

13.5

32

11

White Sugar

46

12

0.7

0.7

Skip the Frosting or Icings to Save Calories & Fat Grams

As to cake, try to skip the frosting. The more that you decrease sugar in your diet plan, the less that you'll require to satisfy your sweet tooth.

If you eat a few cookies - limit the serving and opt for the smaller cookies like ginger snaps. And when it comes to candy bars, eat half and save the other for later.

Carb & Dietary Fiber Grams in Sugary Foods

One ounce of the following candies contain about 30 carb grams:

Hard Candy, Jelly Beans, Gum Drops

If we enjoy one ounce of chocolate fudge, we will have consumed 21 grams.

Hotcake and maple syrups contain about 13 grams per Tablespoon.

Powdered sugar, light brown and dark brown sugars and white granulated sugar contain about 4 carbs per teaspoon.

Honey contains 17 grams per Tablespoon whereas molasses contains 25 g for the same amount.

CARBS IN GUMDROPS, 1 OUNCE

Carbohydrates in Gumdrops - 25 Grams

Hypoglycemia is the result of low blood glucose which occurs when there is an overproduction of insulin in the body.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia include but are not limited to: shakiness, anxiety, irritability, a feeling of nervousness, sweating, a rapid heartbeat or an increase in heartbeat, weakness, headache, a feeling of hunger. Serious reactions to hypoglycemia include seizure and coma.

There are two types of hypoglycemia. Reactive hypoglycemia generally occurs about an hour after an indulgence of high carbohydrate foods have been consumed.

Fasting hypoglycemia is unrelated to food consumption. Fasting hypoglycemia is a disorder which occurs when abnormal insulin secretion creates low blood glucose levels and may require immediate medical attention.

Restricted carb dieting can greatly impact insulin production in the body. Be sure to discuss going on a carb restricted with your doctor before doing such.

CARBS IN CARAMEL, 1 PIECE

Carbohydrates in 1 Piece of Caramel - 7.78 Carb Grams & 0 Dietary Fiber Grams

Carbohydrates in 1 Package (2.5 ounces) of Caramels - 54.67 Carb Grams & 0 Dietary Fiber Grams

Caramel - although delicious, contains quite a few carbs for what it is; but the Dietary Badness doesn't stop there as it's also very high in calorie content. One tiny piece of caramel contains 39 calories but only 0.46 Dietary Fiber Grams. One 2.5 ounce package of caramels contains 271 calories and 5.75 Dietary Fiber Grams. The sugar content of one package of caramels is 46.51 grams which falls into the Dietary Catalog of Sugar Overload.

Surprisingly, one package of caramels contains 3.27 grams of protein and 98 mg of calcium. However, for the healthiest protein choices opt for lean meats, eggs, legumes and nuts.

CARBS IN CANDY CORN, 1 OUNCE

Carbohydrates in Candy Corn - 26 Grams

Natural Sugars a Healthier Choice?

Is honey or molasses a healthier sweetener source than brown and white sugars? Take note that all sugars are processed either by humans or insects like bees who process honey. The flavor and colors of honey differ depending upon where the honey was processed and the types of nectar used by bees. Local honey may offer substantial health benefits in combating allergies.

As to the other sugars, the body recognizes a sweetener as a sweetener. As the nutritional data indicates below, sources of sweeteners are not significantly different in nutritional values. They are also similar in that they can contribute to dental cavities, weight gain and obesity.

CARBS IN HARD CANDY, 1 OUNCE

Hard candy lives in the Simple Carb section of the Carbohydrate House. Hard candy is high in calorie content due to sugar content. It offers virtually zero nutritional values although it may work to temporarily soothe a sore throat, mouth or tongue.

And of course sugar has been associated with dental caries as the common bacteria found in the mouth metabolizes sugar into acids which then work to dissolve and destroy tooth enamel.

Carbs enter the Dietary Picture as most tend to stick to the teeth, thus promoting tooth decay.

Carbohydrates in Hard Candy - 28 Grams

CARBS IN BUTTERSCOTCH CANDY, ONE OUNCE

Carbohydrates in Butterscotch Candy - 26 Grams

In the Carb Triangle of Simple Carbs, Complex Carbs & Fiber Content candy is housed in the Simple Carbohydrate section and offers little-to-zero value in the area of nutrition.

For individuals with a quaking Sweet Tooth, opting for one or two small butterscotch discs may help quell a sweet tooth but that delicious burst of sweetness is quickly diminished and may leave that Sweet Tooth quaking for another dose of sweetness.

A healthier sweet-treat option includes any of the following which contain less calories than two butterscotch discs and will leave the dieter feeling full for a much longer period of time: 1 plum of any variety, 1 kiwi or two fresh apricots. Look for fruits that are about two inches in diameter.

One plum contains about 30 calories and 7.5 carb grams. One kiwi contains about 42 calories and 10 carb grams. One apricot contains about 17 calories and 3.89 carb grams. All three are virtually fat free, cholesterol free and contain a healthy dose of Vitamin C.

CARBS IN POPULAR SNACKS BASED ON 1 OUNCE SERVING SIZE

Fudge - 21 Grams

Chocolate Covered Almonds - 12 Grams

Carbohydrates in Chocolate - 16 Grams

Jelly Beans - 26 Grams

Chocolate Covered Mints - 23 Grams

Peanut Brittle - 23 Grams

Marshmallows - 6 Grams

Let's get to the big boy carbohydrates.

Semisweet chocolate contains 107 g per cup.

White chocolate contains 101 g per cup.

Jelly based candy such as those worms which are so popular with American boys contain 74 g. Based on 10 worms.

White cake with coconut frosting contains 71 g per slice.

Cherry pie contains 70 g per one wedge.

Pecan pie per slice, commercially prepared - 68 g.

Fried cherry pies hold about 55 g for one pie.

Lemon Meringue Pie, commercially prepared contain 64 g per slice.

One wedge of apple pie contains 58 g.

One regular size Milky Way bar holds 44 g.

CARBS IN DESSERTS PER 3 OUNCES

Carbs in Ice Creams;  

Sugar Wafer Cookies - 35 Carbs for 5 pieces

Doughnut - 30 Carbs for one-2 ounce donut

Vanilla Wafers - 10 cookies contain about 30 grams carbs

1 slice of pie (banana cream, blueberry, cherry, blackberry, apple) contains about 45 carbs

1 slice of pecan pie contains 55 carbs

1/2 cup of pudding contains about 35 carbs

1 eclair contains about 25 carbs

Gelatin contains about 17 carbs per prepared 1/2 cup

1 toaster pastry contains about 35 carbs

Rather than candy, pastries and puddings a healthier dessert is fresh fruit topped with a squirt of real whipped cream.

Strawberries, fresh sliced peaches, blackberries, blueberries, mangos, pineapple, cherries, honeydew melon, watermelon, grapes - so many delicious dessert options and all super fruits.

CARBS IN CHEWING GUM, 1 STICK

Carbohydrates in Regular Chewing Gum - 2.90 Carb Grams & 0.1 Dietary Fiber Grams

Carbohydrates in No Calories Chewing Gum - 1.90 Carb Grams & 0 Dietary Fiber Grams

Chewing gum can assist in keeping a restless mouth occupied but comes with a few downsides.

To begin with, 99% of the gums available on the market today are sugar free and are lift-off pads for acute gas accumulation in many individuals.

Gas creates cramping, abdominal discomfort, belching - and related gassy ills.

To determine if you're susceptible to the downside of sugar substitutes found in gum, closely monitor your body for signs of Gas Overload the next time you chew a stick of sugar free gum.

Another downside to gum is that it can trigger jaw discomfort and health ills; gum can also trigger ear problems.

And if you don't opt for sugar free gum and if you chew a lot of gum throughout the day, those '10 calories per stick' can add up quickly. To be exact, the USDA references sugarless gums as containing 5 calories with regular gum containing 11 calories.

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