It's the news we've all been waiting
for sweets may actually tip the scales in your favor. We've hunted out the best
scientifically approved*sugary bites money can buy. So eat up, slim down and
give thanks to the gods.
Remember that saying your smug size 8 aunt
used to tell you as you rooted around the biscuit tin? "A moment on the
lips, a lifetime on the hips”. Well, it wasn’t helpful back then and,
it new research is to be believed, it isn't now. According to a study published
in the Archives of Internal Medicine, those who exercised but caved into a
little sweetness every day had a lower BMI than those who passed up treats in
favor of mung beans. A 100-calorie handful can kick-start your metabolism and
squash sugar cravings. These picks give you a sweet fix and a surprising list
of other health benefits without sending your diet careening off the deep end.
Tasty Little Numbers White Choco Crispy
($15 For 30)
Research from the Karolinska Institute in
Sweden found eating a controlled amount of milk chocolate each week can reduce
your risk of a stroke by 17%. This bar comes in white, milk and dark choc and
is exactly 100 calories - leaving no chance you'll sneak back for more.
Per bar: 100kcal,
5g fat (2.8g sat fat),12.3g carbs (8.3g sugars), 1.2g protein
This
bar comes in white, milk and dark choc and is exactly 100 calories - leaving no
chance you'll sneak back for more.
Jelly Belly Beanaturals ($3.5)
First piece of good news: there are more
than 50 flavors to try. Second: the flavors are naturally derived from fruit
and vegetable juices. You want more, you say? Okay, these will fill your belly
all while being wheat, dairy, gluten and gelatin-free to boot. Can't ask for
more than that.
Per 20g serving: 74kcal, Og fat (Og sat
fat),18.4g carbs (13g sugars), Og protein
Reese's Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter
Cups Miniatures ($3.5)
Our transatlantic cousins go nuts for
these. A study by the Harvard School of Public Health showed those who include
peanut butter in their diet reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes by 20-30%,
plus the protein and fiber keep you full for longer. Mr. Reece, we thank you.
Per 20g serving:109kcal, 6.1g fat (2.5g sat
fat), 11.6g carbs (10.3g sugars), 1.9g protein
Our
transatlantic cousins go nuts for these.
Waitrose Dark Chocolate Mint Creams
($3.1)
The peppermint oil here is a winner. A
study published in the British Medical Journal found the oil is an effective
way of treating digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, making
sure whatever else you eat that day goes down a whole lot smoother.
Per cream: 42kcal, 0.93g fat (0.56g sat
fat),7.95g carbs (7.35g sugars), 0.31g protein
LINDT Excellence Chili Chocolate ($2.8)
The capsaicin in the hot chili will also
fire up your metabolism, according to a study in the Journal of Nutritional
Science and Vitamin ology. You could experience as much as a 23% temporary rise
in your metabolism. Might help you burn off that full English.
Per 20g serving: 101kcal, 6.4g fat (4g sat
fat), 9.8g carbs (9.3 sugars), Mg protein
You
could experience as much as a 23% temporary rise in your metabolism. Might help
you burn off that full English.
Natural Confectionery Co. Jelly Snakes
($1.5)
No artificial colors, no artificial flavors
- two things we like to hear. These gummy animals (also available in everything
from sharks to the prehistoric) are still all you love in a chewy sweet; safe
in the knowledge they are virtually fat-free.
Per 30g serving: 96kcal, 0.1g fat (0.1g sat
fat), 23.2g carbs (16.5g sugars), 1g protein
Bittersweet Blissful Strawberry Crème
($8.9)
The first advantage of hard-boiled sweets?
You are forced to slow down and enjoy them. And as their sweeteners are not as
refined, these treats can cause less dramatic hunger- inducing blood-sugar
spikes than their sugar-laden alternatives.
Per 35g serving: 84kcal, 0.1g fat (0.1g sat
fat), 34.3g carbs (Og sugars), Og protein
Haribo Starmix Mini's (10p)
If portion control is the problem, then
these little gems (rings, bears, those lovely little foam strawberries) are the
cure. Their bags are delightfully small and will curb your sugar cravings. In
fact, research shows that when treats are partitioned (in other words, in
individual wrappers/packets) you eat less. Well, in theory...
Per 20g: 69kcal, 0.04g fat (0.02g sat fat),
15.8g carbs (12.7g sugars), 1.3g protein
Their
bags are delightfully small and will curb your sugar cravings.
Green & Black's Organic Maya Gold
Dark Chocolate (85p)
A team from the University of California,
San Diego, found the antioxidant compounds in the dark chocolate, known as
catechins and flavones, not only help you lose weight, but also improve lean
muscle mass through enhanced exercise performance. Phew.
Per 1/2 35g bar: 97kcal, 5.9g fat (3.5g sat
fat), 8.7g carbs (7.7g sugars), 1.2g protein
Princess Marshmallows ($1.9)
There may not be a lot of nutritional value
to these fluffy little fellows, but think of them as more of a pick-me-up.
Runners use them during a big race for that extra sugar kick, and eating one or
two during your mid-morning break may just help you make it through your
working day a little easier.
Per marshmallow: 25kcal, Og fat (Og sat
fat), 6.1g carbs (4.6g sugars), 0.3g protein
There
may not be a lot of nutritional value to these fluffy little fellows, but think
of them as more of a pick-me-up.
Yu! Strawberry Fruit Chews ($3.75)
Sweets don't get fruitier than this. Yu!
use 100% fruit to make their chews. What about the gelling agent? Well, that is
fruit pectin, which is a demulcent used in throat lozenges. So it may help
soothe that sore throat, too. Try their yoghurt coated sweets for extra
goodness.
Per bag: 90kcal, 0.1g fat, 20.9g carbs,
0.3g protein
Retro Treats Revisited
Do mothers know best? We think not. Here
are some classic cases of those treats of yesteryear wrongfully banished by
parents, but still available today.
Iced Gems: A 25g bag of these nostalgic
treats has fewer than 100 calories. Yes, they're still available for another
generation of children to gorge themselves on.
Milkshake: A glass of the white stuff (or
yellow, pink or brown) provides a child with 285mg of calcium - a third of
their RDA. One way to get them to drink their milk.
Party Rings: Ah, those colorful little
biscuit rings. Were they ever really that bad? Today, they carry less than a
gram of fat per biscuit. Pass us another, Mum.
Jelly: The wobbly treat only contained 80
calories per 100g serving. Today, the sugar-free variety has a mere 3 calories
per 100g. Best skip the ice cream though.
Ice Pops: Remember Mr. Freeze? Well, you
should - he has been around since 1966. With just 25 calories, we predict a
comeback for summer 2013.
