FitSugar

Movie Theater Food Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 09:45:00 -0800

This holiday season many of us will be flocking to the movies to see the latest and greatest hitting the theaters.

Unfortunately we may not realize that the snacks we are paying WAY too much for have WAY more calories than we may realize. So to help you through, I've broken down some movie theater favorites:

Large Buttered Popcorn (20 cups): 1500 calories, 116g fat, 90g carbs
Hot Dog (1 dog with bun): 305 calories, 4.5g fat, 23g carbs
Nachos with Cheese (large, 4 oz): 1101 calories, 59g fat, 131.5g carbs
Soft Pretzel (large): 483 calories, 4.5g fat, 99g carbs
Cotton Candy (2.5 oz): 300 calories, 0g fat, 74g carbs
Junior Mints (3 oz): 320 calories, 5g fat, 68g carbs

There's lots more, so read more

Milk Duds (3 oz): 340 calories, 12g fat, 56g carbs
Sno-Caps (3.1 oz): 360 calories, 16g fat, 60g carbs
Raisinets (3.5 oz): 380 calories, 16g fat, 64g carbs
Gummi Bears (4 oz): 390 calories, 0g fat, 90g carbs
Goobers (3.5 oz): 525 calories, 35g fat, 55g carbs
Twizzlers (6 oz): 600 calories, 4g fat, 136g carbs
M&M's (5.3 oz): 735 calories, 31.5g fat, 105g carbs
Skittles (6.75 oz): 765 calories, 9g fat, 166.5g carbs
Reese's Pieces (8 oz): 1200 calories, 60g fat, 138g carbs
Starburst (24 pieces): 480 calories, 10.5g fat, 99g carbs
Coca-Cola with ice (large, 3 pints, 18.9 fl oz): 353 calories, 0g fat, 88.4g carbs

Halloween Candy Breakdown

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:54 -0700

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Snickers were my favorites when it came to Halloween as a kid. After a night of trick-or-treating, I loved to sprawl my goods on the kitchen table and count how many I got of each. Now I would never eat as much candy as I could fit in a pillowcase, since many of them are high in calories and contain trans fat, but I still like to enjoy a couple pieces this time of year. Just what is that candy doing to your waistline? Check out the nutritional info below.

If you don't see the candy you crave, read more.

Come Party With Me: Oscars Viewing - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:15:45 -0800

Pastry chef extraordinaire Sherry Yard is famous for creating the desserts served at the Governors Ball. Every year she offers the stars chocolate Oscars and buttery shortbread cookies. For my Oscar viewing, I'll take a tip from Yard and serve a bite-sized dessert. Decadent chocolate fudge with (or without) walnuts is rich and delicious. Instead of slicing the fudge into neat squares, use an Oscar cookie cutter to shape the fudge into mini statuettes.

If you don't have time to make dessert, simply fill bowls with movie-theater candy, like Junior Mints, Mike and Ikes, and Milk Duds. To look at the fudge recipe, read more.

Bittersweet Chocolate and Walnut Fudge
From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

1 pound bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
3 cups sugar
1 12-ounce can fat-free evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups walnut pieces, toasted
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

Line 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan with foil, leaving overhang.
Combine first 4 ingredients in large bowl.
Stir sugar and evaporated milk in heavy large deep saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to boil. Attach clip-on candy thermometer to side of pan. Boil until temperature registers 234°F, stirring constantly and adjusting heat to avoid boiling over, about 10 minutes.
Immediately pour milk mixture over chocolate mixture. Whisk until chocolate and butter melt and fudge is smooth. Mix in nuts and vanilla.
Spread fudge evenly in prepared pan. Refrigerate uncovered until cold and set, about 3 hours.
Using foil as aid, lift fudge from pan. Cut crosswise into 7 strips, then lengthwise into 5 strips. Return to pan, cover, and chill. (Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Keep covered and chilled. Bring to room temperature before serving.)

Makes 35 pieces.

Print recipe with images | without images

Hershey's Switching to Cheaper Ingredients

YumSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:00:15 -0700

Hit by the worsening economy and the rising costs of raw materials, candy giant Hershey's has not only raised candy prices, but has also begun replacing cocoa butter, the ingredient that allegedly gives Hershey's candies their delicious flavor, with vegetable oil.

The formulas of candy products such as Whatchamacallit, Milk Duds, Mr. Goodbar, and Krackel, among other candies, have been changed. Since experts say that the change was meant to go unnoticed by consumers, why the copy edit? Because without cocoa butter, FDA rules will not allow the product to be called milk chocolate.

The new formula has little impact on the nutritional value of the chocolate, and a Today Show blind taste test showed that half of the consumers actually preferred the new vegetable oil formulations. Fans after the taste of authentic milk chocolate can still find the real deal in Hershey's Kisses, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and the classic Hershey's chocolate bar. If in doubt, avoid labels that read "chocolate candy," "chocolaty," or "made with chocolate."

What do you think of this news? If you eat Hershey's candies often, have you noticed a difference? Do you feel cheated by the news of cocoa butter being removed?

Source

Halloween Candy Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:00:19 -0700

What is it about Halloween candy that makes it so enticing? All those miniature, bite-size, chocolatey morsels in brightly colored packages are so hard to resist. To prevent myself from eating half a bag of treats, I like to wait to buy my candy until the day before Halloween, and I also give out candy I hate. But when my girls come home with their trick-or-treat bags, a few pieces can't hurt, right? Unfortunately, all those little bites add up, so just to give you an idea, I've put together this breakdown.

The calorie content in this chart is based on one piece of Halloween "snack" or "fun"-size candy, not the full-size servings found in the candy aisle. The good news is that on most bags of bulk candy, the serving size includes two to three pieces or packets of each, so there's nothing wrong with indulging in a few of your favorites.

If you don't see the candy you crave, read more.

Source

Halloween Survival Guide: Candy Breakdown

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

I have a love-hate relationship with Halloween. I love going pumpkin picking, making jack-o-lanterns, roasting pumpkin seeds, and creating costumes. Oh, who am I kidding? I also love the candy, the bags of tiny bite-sized servings are my weakness. To keep my candy intake in check, I buy my candy a few days before Halloween and buy the candy I don't like.

How bad are these tasty little morsels, really? A few bites can't hurt, right? To see how many calories haunt your favorite Halloween candy, read more

The calorie content in this chart is based on one piece of Halloween ‘snack’ or ‘fun’ size candy, not full size servings found in the candy aisle. The good news is that on most bags of candy, the serving size includes 2-3 pieces/bags/packets of each. I guess those candy companies know how "fun" those fun packs really are.

1 treat size (fun size)	Calories	Fat (g)	Sugar (g)
Snickers	71	3.6	7.6
Reese's Peanut Butter Cup	88	5.2	8
Reese's Caramel Cup	100	5	11
Reese's Nutrageous	95	5.5	7.5
Milky Way	77	2.9	10.2
Butterfinger	85	3.5	8.5
Almond Joy	91	5.1	9.2
Milk Duds	40	2	6.3
M&Ms	90	4	11.5
Peanut M&Ms	93	4.7	9.1
Nestle's Crunch	51.3	2.7	5.6
Peppermint Pattie	47	1	8.6
Kit Kat	73	3.7	.67
Dots	70	0	11
Skittles	80	.8	15
Jelly Belly Jellybeans	35	0	7
3 Musketeers	63.3	2	10
Milky Way	75	3	10
Hershey's Bar	66.7	4	7.7
Take 5	105	5.5	9
100 Grand	95	4	11
Nerds	50	0	12
Whoppers	100	4	13
Mike & Ike	50	0	9
SweeTarts	10	0	2.4

Knowing the calorie count of some of my favorite treats, I don't feel so bad about stealing a few pieces of my daughters' candy.

Source

I Heart Candy Roundup

YumSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:28:39 -0700

I was so excited to open up my inbox and see it stuffed with I Heart Candy submissions. You guys are really amazing and totally impress me, from cookies to truffles and everything in between, you guys really love your candy! There are 20 entries total, so let's just get this candy-loving party started!

Oh and if you sent one in and it didn't appear here, use the contact form above to drop me a line and I'll get it added!

Entry #1
Our first entry comes from TeamSugar member calibabi who wrote in to share her recipes for Rolo Cookies and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cookies. I think I know what I'll be baking this weekend!

Entry #2
Kate from A Way To Eat took her home state Vermont into consideration when she made maple walnut pepper crunch. This looks fantastic over ice cream, but I bet I could eat handfuls on its own!

Entry #3
Amy from Seattle's Nook & Pantry melted my heart with green tea truffles. I've had these once before and have always wanted to make my own. Thanks for submitting these!

Entry #4
Utah-based Heather from dustbunnies wrote in to tell about her favorite new candy: Bertie Botts Every Flavored Jelly Bean. As someone who's a big Harry Potter fan, I was excited to hear that she and her family love to play Bertie Botts russian roulette. Hope you don't end up with the vomit flavored one!

For SIXTEEN more sweet entries, read more

Entry #5
Manila-based SweetPleasures got inspired by the film Chocolat and made us some lovely homemade chocolates. I gotta make my own someday too!

Entry #6
Bon Vivant's own Colorado-based Chelsea decided to make an English Toffee Inspiration Sundae. Is it bad that I am craving this so early in the morning?!

Entry #7
Candied blood orange peels end up being the secret weapon for Nina of Sweet Napa. Her orange creamsicle birthday cake will surely beat the Los Angeles heat!

Entry #8
Based in the Philippines, Chef KC wrote in to say that it's fun to play with your food, especially if it's candy!

Entry #9
Minko of Couture Cupcakes sent these vodka soaked Red Skins cupcakes all the way from Australia. I've never even heard of Red Skins (a raspberry "flavoured" hard candy), but I really want to try these!

Entry #10
TeamSugar member Karla Sugar wrote in to say that although it sounds odd, she thinks water with lemon tastes just like candy! Especially if it's room-temp or cool (not ice cold). What do you guys think?!

Entry #11
Maryland based TeamSugar members crispet1 and beamer1, did three entries! First they created a selection of adorable candy filled phyllo purses and then they created cute cupcakes and a drink they call "Gummy Worm" - can't wait to try them all!

Entry #12
Our very own GeikoSera has decided to list her favorite candy. Mallo Cups... mmm....

Entry #13
Molly was able to capture a pic of the elusive Knut the polar gummi bear!

Entry #14
Canada-based Sweetheart_450 sent her recipe for Peanut Butter Buckeyes. She says they're the most delicious sweets she's ever tasted and a must try for everyone!

Entry #15
Team member Bonne sent us a recipe for rock candy and then wrote in to tell us how she used to eat all the fundraiser candy! Shhh.. don't tell!

Entry #16
SU3 of TeamSugar treated us with two delights: M&M's Kisses pretzels and Butterfinger popcorn balls. I can't decide which treat I want to try first!

Entry #17
TeamSugar member poetess treated us to a quick poem about candy.

Entry #18
The office went wild for the Heath Bar Cake that PartySugar made. So delicious!

Entry #19
Our pal TeamSugar shared her weakness for Milk Duds and Dots (just not at the same time)!

Entry #20
And finally, I started the whole shebang by creating Reese's PB Cup Cookies.

Not enough candy? Be sure to check out some more candy related posts. There's still some time left in June, so it's not over yet!