Is Laffy Taffy Bad For You?
Short answer
Laffy Taffy is bad for you. It's sugar with artificial dyes and processed ingredients, all of which can negatively impact your health.
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
Laffy Taffy is rich with sugars, both natural and added - five and a half tablespoons worth. The sugars do damage to your teeth and gums by feeding the bacteria in your mouth. Some of the sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream; they give you a quick boost followed by a crash. Others are broken down in the liver, where they're converted into fat for storage. Over time, that fat can put you at risk of hypertension, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Your body breaks down sugar by producing insulin. Too much sugar over time, and that process may lead to insulin sensitivity or diabetes. There's no dietary fiber in Laffy Taffy to blunt the effects of that sugar.
Laffy Taffy uses artificial colors, for now. There's no scientific consensus on whether these dyes are unsafe, but research has shown they may disrupt the endocrine system, accelerate tumor growth, increase cancer risk and cause hyperactivity in children. Under pressure from the public and consumer advocacy groups, Laffy Taffy's parent company Nestle has already phased out artificial colors from their chocolate candies and pizza products. Gummy and sour candies are presumably next. So far, however, they have not announced that they are discontinuing artificial colors in those products.
Laffy Taffy contains hydrogenated oils, which is a fancy term for trans fat. Too much trans fat and the level of cholesterol in your blood will climb. That puts you at risk for a whole range of heart conditions. Hydrogenated oils have further been linked to neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
There are other food-like additives in Laffy Taffy that bear closer scrutiny and are the hallmarks of a highly processed product. It contains diglycerides, a stabilizer that often signposts processed food. It also contains the vague catch-all "artificial flavor;" a flavoring agent synthesized in a lab that could be pretty much anything. Both of these ingredients are good rules of thumb for foods to reduce your consumption of or avoid entirely.
Possible long-term side effects
- hypertension
-
diabetes
-
insulin resistance
-
heart disease
-
cavities
-
obesity
-
hyperactivity
-
endocrine disorders
-
neurological disorders
-
cancer
Ingredients to be aware of
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
YumEarth Organic Fruit Snacks
- Allergy-friendly formula
- No artificial flavors/dyes
- Non-GMO and Vegan
- Gluten-free snacks
- Convenient snack packs
Learn More!
Please turn your Ad Blocker off to see this content. Thank you!
Approved by 
