Candy. Is it the forbidden fructose or a weight loss tool? The answer may surprise you.
According to a study by a nonprofit organization dedicated to researching food and the body, people who eat candy actually have a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) than people who steer clear of the sugary stuff.
Pretty sweet, isn't it?
But before you hop in the car and head to the grocery store to raid the candy section, there are three things you need to know.
Why it works
You’re probably thinking that eating candy to lose weight goes against everything you’ve ever read in a magazine or seen on Oprah.
And you’re probably right. There’s not a doctor in the Land of Oz who would prescribe candy as a weight-loss supplement.
But what if it’s not viewed as a supplement? What if, instead, candy is seen as an easy way to fend off cravings, a little emotional lift in the midst of dieting or a reward? What if, instead of turning to a brownie or ice cream drizzled in fudge when you’re craving sweets or feeling stressed or celebrating a great day at the office, you ate a low calorie candy bar?
That, the researchers suspect, is how the people with the lower BMIs use candy as a weight loss/management tool.
Not every candy qualifies as a weight-loss tool
Some candies are better for you than others—remember when researchers discovered that dark chocolate was good for your heart/brain/blood sugar? It was big, big news.
Well since then, the “healthier” candy selection has grown by leaps and bounds. Organic gummy worms are made without high-fructose corn syrup are a healthier alternative. Chocolate pieces made with natural peanut butter provide muscle-building protein. And certain kinds of jelly beans can actually provide a day’s worth of Vitamin C.
Moderation is still the key
As with anything—whether it’s “good” or “bad” for you—moderation is the key. If you’re planning to mix healthier candy into your diet as a weight loss tool, don’t overdo it.
Try to limit yourself to one serving one time a day.
