TEMPLE, Texas - An Easter staple for years, there are web articles which claim Peeps are the most unhealthy candy to eat on the holiday.
Is it true?
KARE 11's news partner KCEN spoke with Dr. Joshua Parker at ExpressER who said peeps are pretty similar to most other candies.
"They all have pretty high amounts of sugar," Parker said. "So, if you have any particular candy in high levels, it's going to be unhealthy. And Peeps, for the amount of sugar they have, they're about equal to a can of coke."
Compared with a serving of Cadbury Mini Eggs and a Reese's Peanut Butter Egg, Peeps have no fat, which doesn't ring true for either snack.
Total Fat
- Peeps: None
- Cadbury Mini Eggs: 8 grams
- Reese's Peanut Butter Egg: 10 grams
Total Sugars
- Peeps: 34g
- Cadbury Mini Eggs: 30g
- Reese's Peanut Butter Egg: 16g
Total Carbohydrates
- Peeps: 36g
- Cadbury Mini Eggs: 31
- Reese's Peanut Butter Egg: 18g
Calories
- Peeps: 140
- Cadbury Mini Eggs: 200
- Reese's Peanut Butter Egg: 170
For reference, a 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola has 140 calories and 39g of total sugar.
So, KCEN can verify that Peeps are NOT the worst candy to eat.