Laffy Taffy is a popular taffy candy produced by the Ferrara Candy Company. It comes in a variety of fruity flavors and is known for its stretchy, chewy texture. But many candy lovers wonder just how many calories are packed into one piece of this sweet treat.
The Basics of Laffy Taffy
Laffy Taffy has been around since the 1970s. It is currently available in over 15 different fruit flavors, including cherry, watermelon, banana, and strawberry. The taffy comes wrapped in colorful wrappers stamped with silly jokes and is sold in small pencil boxes or larger bags.
Each piece of Laffy Taffy contains just a few ingredients – sugar, corn syrup, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, artificial flavors, malic acid, and artificial colors. It has a smooth, flexible, and sticky texture thanks to the sugar and corn syrup. The palm oil helps maintain its structure.
Nutrition Facts for Laffy Taffy
The nutrition information for a single piece of Laffy Taffy is:
- Calories: 45
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Total carbs: 11g
- Sugar: 10g
As you can see, one piece of Laffy Taffy contains 45 calories, all of which come from carbohydrates. There is almost no fat, protein, or fiber in the candy.
Most of the calories come from sugar. Each piece contains 10 grams of sugar, which equates to about 2.5 teaspoons worth. So the calories are essentially empty, without much nutritional value.
Calories in Different Flavors and Servings
While the nutrition facts are based on averages, the exact number of calories in Laffy Taffy can vary slightly depending on the flavor.
For example, here are the calories for some popular flavors:
| Laffy Taffy Flavor | Calories per Piece |
|---|---|
| Cherry | 45 |
| Strawberry | 45 |
| Grape | 40 |
| Watermelon | 50 |
As you can see, cherry and strawberry contain 45 calories per piece, while grape has slightly less at 40 calories and watermelon has slightly more at 50 calories.
The calorie count also adds up quickly if you eat multiple pieces of Laffy Taffy at a time. For example:
- 5 pieces = 225 calories
- 10 pieces = 450 calories
- 15 pieces = 675 calories
How Laffy Taffy Compares to Other Candies
Laffy Taffy is lower in calories than some other taffy and chewy candies. Here’s how it compares per piece:
| Candy | Calories |
|---|---|
| Laffy Taffy | 45 |
| Starburst | 80 |
| Skittles | 60 |
| Twizzlers | 70 |
| Jolly Ranchers | 115 |
So you can see that Laffy Taffy is one of the lowest-calorie options for chewy fruit candy per piece.
Ways to Enjoy Laffy Taffy
Here are some tips for enjoying Laffy Taffy as a low-calorie candy treat:
- Let it last. Savor one or two pieces at a time.
- Pair it with fruit. The candy can satisfy a sweet craving when paired with fresh fruit.
- Use it in moderation. Add a few pieces to trail mixes or candy bowls.
- Be active after eating it. Balance out the sweet treat with fun physical activity.
Laffy Taffy makes a fun, occasional candy. Just be mindful of portion sizes, as the calories can add up if you eat too many pieces in one sitting.
Nutritional Pros and Cons
Here are some of the main nutritional pros and cons of Laffy Taffy to help inform whether it fits into your diet:
Pros:
- Low in fat and protein
- Provides carbohydrate energy
- Relatively low in calories for candy
- Contains no major allergens
Cons:
- High in added sugar
- Contains artificial colors
- Lacks nutritional value
- Sticky consistency can damage dental work
Ingredients to Take Note Of
When looking at the ingredients list for Laffy Taffy, there are a few specific items to take note of:
- Sugar – Laffy Taffy candy contains 10 grams of sugar per piece, which is a lot for such a small amount of candy.
- Palm oil – The hydrogenated palm kernel oil gives Laffy Taffy its smooth, pliable texture, but palm oil production has raised some environmental concerns.
- Artifical colors – The vivid colors of Laffy Taffy come from artificial coloring agents made in labs.
So while Laffy Taffy has its place as an occasional treat, it is not the healthiest choice due to the high sugar, palm oil, and artificial colors.
Calories from Sugar Vs. Other Carbs
Since Laffy Taffy is high in sugar, most of its calories come from sugar rather than other carbohydrates:
- Calories from sugar: 40 calories (10g sugar)
- Calories from other carbs: 5 calories (1g other carbs)
So about 89% of the calories in Laffy Taffy come directly from added granulated sugar. Only 11% of the calories come from trace amounts of starch, fiber, or other carbohydrate components.
This is why Laffy Taffy is considered an unhealthy source of empty calories and sugar. There are no significant levels of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, or fiber to provide nutritional value.
How Ingredients Impact Calorie Count
The high sugar content has the greatest impact on the calorie count in Laffy Taffy. But other ingredients also play a role:
- Sugar – Adds carbohydrate energy at 4 calories per gram.
- Corn syrup – Also provides carbohydrate calories at nearly 4 calories per gram.
- Palm kernel oil – Adds a small amount of fat calories.
- Artificial flavors – Negligible effect on calorie count.
- Artificial colors – No calories, but entices overconsumption.
So ingredients like sugar, corn syrup, and oils directly contribute calories, while flavors, acids, and colors impact taste, texture, and appearance.
Calorie Density of Laffy Taffy
Calorie density looks at the number of calories in a particular food by weight. Here is the calorie density for Laffy Taffy:
- Weight per piece: 5g
- Calories per piece: 45 calories
- Calorie density: 9 calories per gram
Foods with a calorie density greater than 4 calories per gram are considered high-calorie foods. So at 9 calories per gram, Laffy Taffy is very calorie dense.
This is because the high sugar content is packed into a very small piece of candy. You get a concentrated dose of sugar and calories in just a 5 gram serving.
How Chewing Impacts Calorie Absorption
Chewing Laffy Taffy thoroughly can actually help reduce the calorie impact slightly. Here’s why:
- Chewing longer breaks the taffy down more before swallowing.
- More broken down food can be digested and absorbed better.
- You may end up swallowing less sugar if pieces stick to teeth while chewing.
- Saliva breaks down starches – but Laffy Taffy has very little starch.
However, the impact of chewing is minor for a soft, sugary food like taffy. The sugar will still be quickly absorbed through the stomach and intestines.
The biggest benefit of thorough chewing is the extra time it takes, which can prevent overeating large amounts.
Calorie Differences Between Flavors
While most Laffy Taffy flavors contain about 45 calories per piece, some flavors are slightly higher or lower in calories:
| Lower-Calorie Flavors (35-40 calories per piece) |
Higher-Calorie Flavors (50-55 calories per piece) |
|---|---|
| Grape | Watermelon |
| Strawberry Banana | Cherry Cola |
| Chocolate | Cotton Candy |
Flavor ingredients like cocoa powder (chocolate) and banana powder (strawberry banana) add just a touch more volume and weight, lowering the calorie density slightly.
On the sweeter side, concentrated flavor extracts like watermelon and cotton candy make the taffy slightly more calorie dense.
Effect of Color Dyes on Calories
The artificial color dyes used to create the bright colors of Laffy Taffy likely have a negligible effect on the actual calorie content. Here’s why:
- Color additives are used in tiny amounts.
- They provide no carbohydrate, protein or fat.
- Most are synthetic petroleum-based dyes.
- They may encourage overeating by making candy appealing.
So while artificial coloring doesn’t directly impact calories, the eye-catching colors could lead some people to eat more pieces than they otherwise would.
Conclusion
Laffy Taffy is a favorite candy for many people, but one piece of this chewy, fruity taffy comes with 45 calories – mostly empty calories from added sugar. The sweet treat is low in fat but dense in calories due to its high sugar content and lack of fiber or beneficial nutrients. While an occasional Laffy Taffy may fit into your diet, it’s best enjoyed in moderation rather than as a daily snack due to its high calorie and sugar load.
