Sometimes we like to "treat" ourselves, but have you ever wondered what these little 'treats' are actually made of?
It is not new news that candies are not exactly at the top of food recommendations. Their saturated fat and sugar levels that provoke insulin are reason enough to reach for them as rarely as possible. What you may not know is how we get gummies - a shocking process that could be enough to destroy your sweet tooth.
In this article, we will reveal the truth about what really goes on behind closed doors in candy factories, as well as the suffering that innocent creatures - our animal friends - go through, as they serve as raw materials in the gummy candy industry.
Bonbon - carnivore
In the production of gummy candies, our friends - animals, die and suffer. When we thought about the mass of gummy candies that are distributed and consumed at this time of the year, our food team was reminded of the brilliant short film 'Gelatina' (produced byOVER ETEN'), which tells the story of how gummy candies are actually made. This video is one of a series of chronologically-reversed stories about sugar, crisps and candy - detailing the shocking truths about how gummies are made: from the final wrapped candies to the living pig.
Yes, you read that right: Your gummies started out as pigs or maybe cows... Gelatin is a product obtained by partial hydrolysis of collagen obtained from natural sources such as skin, connective tissue and bones of animals. It all comes from slaughterhouses, then it is cooked and decomposed in vats of acid before it is flavored, colored and packed into your favorite candy. Gelatin is a common ingredient found in sweets because it foams, gels or solidifies into a beautiful piece that slowly dissolves in the mouth, which is a tempting delicacy for some. The film "Gelatina" collected more than 14,000 comments, raising questions about the way gelatin is made and whether consumers even know what they are eating.
The worst corn syrup, sugar....
The worst ingredient of all…. Although gelatin offers some nutritional benefits (including 18 amino acids), nutritionists are concerned about what the product is mixed with. High fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, preservatives, artificial flavors, gluten, and sugars are just some of the highly toxic ingredients, and there are other candy ingredients as well. which trigger inflammation and which you should watch out for. The worst of all is the most common ingredient – sugar. Since the beginning of mass production, sugar has slowly crept into almost everything we eat. Now in almost everything: from rolls, condiments, in drinks and, of course, candies - our society is increasingly consuming ever-increasing amounts of sugar in everyday products. Some candies in particular have frightening amounts of sugar that, like cholesterol, clog the cardiovascular system and can really damage your health. · Candies in the shape of gummy bears have more than 17 grams of sugar in the amount that fits in a small hand, along with citric acid and artificial colors and flavors. · Many sugar-coated gummies have over 26 grams of sugar in the same amount, along with the artificial colors and flavors found in so many similar gummies. · Candies Starburst they're loaded with corn syrup, sugar and apple juice concentrate, with over 22 grams of sugar in just nine pieces. A report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that Australians eat more added sugars than ever before. The World Health Organization recommends that sugar consumption should only make up 5% of our total daily calorie intake - which in layman's terms is about 25 grams or 6 teaspoons per day. The results of an Australian health survey conducted in 2012 tell a completely different story: the average Australian consumes 60 grams of sugar or 14 teaspoons a day! Throughout the year, you may stick to a low-sugar diet, but during the holidays, the season of parties and sweet gifts, you may be tempted to "indulge." Overall, we consume about 9% of added sugars in our diet in pastries and cakes, and just imagine how that percentage could jump over the coming weeks.
Sweet alternatives
Although we recommend that you eliminate sweet gelatin candies from your diet, we do not mean that you should go completely without sweet treats. There are a number of delicious alternatives to satisfy your sweet tooth without harming animals or your health. To replace gelatin, try agar-agar: a gelatinous ingredient derived from seaweed, but no animals were harmed to produce it. In addition, there are many excellent recipes for sweet treats that will surely delight you - they are even vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free, so you can freely enjoy them! Check out our top plant-based desserts: https://www.foodmatters.com/recipe/plant-based-desserts
Desserts can be sweet and healthy - plant-based, without sugar and other harmful ingredients.
It is not new news that candies are not exactly at the top of food recommendations. Their saturated fat and sugar levels that provoke insulin are reason enough to reach for them as rarely as possible. What you may not know is how we get gummies - a shocking process that could be enough to destroy your sweet tooth.
