Are Peeps Bad For You?
Also Known As: marshmallow peeps
Short answer
When it comes to bad things for your health, Peeps are in serious contention for one of the worst.
Recommended Alternative
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Grabbing a spoonful of sugar and eating that would be better for you than eating even one Peep. One Peep has the equivalent of 1.5 teaspoons full of sugar - or 6.8 grams. This is on top of 28 calories. Sugar is well known to increase the risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke, and a myriad of other diseases, including cancer. However, if that were the only risk of Peeps, we could perhaps breathe a sigh of relief. Unfortunately, there's more. Notice those colors? They aren't harmless. Red #40 has been linked by studies to an increased risk of cancer, as has Blue #1. Yellow #5 has been indicated as a primary cause of childhood hyperactivity. While some claim this isn't the case, the sheer amount of sugar is enough to cause hyperactivity by itself. The question of hyperactivity notwithstanding, yellow #5 has been documented to cause headaches and mood disturbances in some people sensitive to it (an admittedly very low number - but not low enough if it includes you).
A full ingredients list of Peeps is as follows: sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, yellow #6, maltodextrin, natural flavors, potassium sorbate, yellow #5, red #40, blue #1, and carnauba wax. Words like "natural flavors" are non-specific and several possibly carcinogenic additives commonly lurk behind those two seemingly innocuous words. If you are a vegan, you may also want to stay away from Peeps - gelatin is commonly sourced from skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones from cows and pigs.
So, do Peeps have any nutritional benefit? Unfortunately, the answer is no, absolutely not. Even a pixy stick would be better for you than a Peep. Stay away from Peeps - if for nothing else than the fact that carnauba wax is the main ingredient in car wax.
Possible short-term side effects
- headache
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hyperactivity (especially children)
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blood sugar spike
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sugar-induced crash
Possible long-term side effects
- obesity
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cancer
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heart disease
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stroke
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cardiovascular disease
Ingredients to be aware of
Healthier alternatives
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
YumEarth Fruit Snacks
- Organic & Vegan
- Allergy friendly
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
- Convenient snack packs
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Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 02-07-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 02-07-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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