Nothing "Fun" in a Fun Sized Candy

Halloween is looming, and it's time to face that time of year when the parties abound and the kids are out for trick or treating. Let's be honest, who hasn't wanted to join in the fun with the kids of unwrapping their "fun-sized" treats, and steal some of their candy loot? Well, Board-Certified Weight Loss Surgeon Dr. Michael Feiz warns patients that even though these little candy packages look harmless and that one or two won't hurt anybody, most of these packages contain about 100-200 calories, and of course those add up when you eat one after the other.

What's more concerning is that our nationwide obesity epidemic, which includes more than one-third of the adult population, also includes 18 percent of the nation's children, who have a BMI of 30+. Although these fun-sized candies seem appropriate for children, they only have a daily caloric necessity of less than 1600 calories for young children, and less than 2000 for older children. Obviously those fun sizes will add up even more quickly for the young ones than their parents, or those of us who simply like to snack on the sweets at work or parties! Keep in mind that Halloween can be fun without the indulging in too many of those calories bombs such as candy and cocktails. 

For a better alternative to the fun-sized candies, choose something else lower in calories (these examples are about 100 calories each), such as:

• 2 Dum Dum lollipops
• 4.5 Tootsie Roll "Midgees"
• 3.5 Twizzler Licorice candies
• 5 Starburst Fruit Chews
• 13 pieces of Candy Corn

To learn more about Dr. Feiz and weight loss surgery, visit www.drfeiz.com.