Can the jelly beans that you love so much make you fat? Yes!
That’s because jelly beans can be addicting. Would you be able just to eat two or three and stop? I don’t think so. And that’s the problem! Before you know it, the whole bag will be gone.
Keep reading to learn why jelly beans can keep you from reaching your weight loss goals, as well as other low-calorie and healthy alternatives.
What Are Jelly Beans Made Of?
Don’t be fooled by the humble jelly bean’s alluring candy-coated exterior. These wicked little pods of tastiness with their colorful shells and soft, gel-like interiors are mainly made out of sugar.
In addition to this, they also contain a cocktail of corn syrup, glucose, and tapioca, varying amounts of pectin, starch, salt, edible waxes, confectioner’s glaze, and other flavorings and additives.
This combination may account for their delicious taste, but how good are they for us really? Not healthy at all!
Are Jelly Beans High In Calories?
A lone jelly bean, coming in at only 4+ calories, doesn’t seem too bad. Ten small jelly beans weigh in at 40 calories, and ten large jelly beans will bring us up to just over 100 calories. So if we’re planning to polish the 100g bag, we’re looking at around 375 calories.
Their high-calorie count is because jelly beans are almost solely comprised of carbohydrates and contain little to no protein or fiber.
Foods high in carbohydrates and lacking in essential nutrients tend to leave our hunger pangs unsatisfied, making us crave more empty calories.
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Can You Eat Jelly Beans On A Diet?
It is good to explore what else is out there. Healthy alternatives to jelly beans may just be the answer to satiating a sweet tooth while keeping us on the straight and narrow in terms of our weight-loss goals.
Now, let’s look at some examples of comparative calorie density. For under 100 calories, you could have a 200g fruit salad, or four cups of popcorn, or 50g of apple slices with a tablespoon of powdered peanut butter, or 160g of nonfat yogurt.
Not convinced? Remember that any of the above options is the equivalent to just ten large jelly beans – and yet infinitely more filling and satisfying!
Two Tips To Eat Less Candy:
- When the thought of reaching for a snack creeps up, try chewing a piece of gum first. A lot of times, we eat because we are bored, not because we are hungry.
- If you must get your candy fix, swap soft candy for hard candy. For example, have a lollipop instead of a jelly bean. Hard candy takes longer to eat, so you will most likely consume fewer calories.
Conclusion
Jelly beans make you fat if you eat too many of them because they are not nutritious and they are high in calories.
And when it comes to food, the fewer calories you consume in a day, the faster your body will naturally start shedding pounds.
So while I’m not telling you never eat jelly beans again (just don’t make them an everyday snack!), if you want to really take off that extra weight and get into shape for summertime, try replacing those sugary sweets with lower-calorie alternatives.
Lily
Hi, I'm Lily! Like you, I have struggled with my weight. It was not an easy journey but I was able to lose 40 pounds and have kept it off for 14 years. My goal is to share with you all the research, tips, and tricks that I have learned over the years to help you lose weight also.Download this cheat sheet to learn the secrets to go from busy and out-of-shape to energetic and fit!