This is what is actually in your favorite types of candy

This is what is actually in your favorite types of candyThis is what is actually in your favorite types of candyWhen your sweet tooth strikes, few things can soothe it as well as a piece of your favorite candy. Regardless of whether youre a chocolate fan or you always reach for the fruity treats, one thing is for certain youre giving your body a hefty dose of sugar along with some ingredients you probably dont expect. Find your top candy pick below and discover what surprises lie ahead of you. (Sorry in advance if we ruin any illusions you have that candy isntthatbad for you.)Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraMMsThe first ingredient in these little chocolate candies is,phew, milk chocolate. (The milk chocolate is comprised of sugar, chocolate, skim milk, cocoa butter, lactose, milkfat, a food additive called soy lecithin, salt and artificial flavor.) Then you add more sugar and co rnstarch to get those crunchy, colorful coatings. Finally, MMs contain less than 1 percent of corn syrup (boo), a thickening agent called dextrin, a whole bunch of artificial dyes to create the rainbow you see inside the bag and gum acacia, which is a common stabilizer, emulsifier and thickening agent used in the food industry.SkittlesSorry, Skittles lovers. Your first ingredient is sugar, followed by corn syrup (ick), followed by hydrogenated palm kernel oil (double ick). Then theres less than 2 percent of citric acid (a natural preservative), tapioca dextrin (a hydrolyzed starch that adds crispness), modified corn starch, natural and artificial flavors, a handful of food dyes, a sour food additive called sodium citrate and carnauba wax for that shiny glaze.TwixThe first ingredient of this crunchy, chewy treat is milk chocolate. (The milk chocolate contains sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, skim milk, lactose, milkfat, soy lecithin, an emulsifier called polyglycerol polyricinoleate a nd artificial flavors.) Then comes the sugar and enriched wheat flour, which includes wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavinandfolic acid. We also have palmoil (meh), corn syrup (meh again), skim milk and a sweetener called dextrose. Twix then contains less than 2 percent of modified food starch, salt, cocoa powder, baking soda, soy lecithinandartificial flavor.StarburstSadly, the first ingredient in Starburst is corn syrup, followed by sugar and hydrogenated palm kernel oil. (Were already off to a rough start here.) Then you have fruit juice from concentrate - apple, lemon, strawberry, orangeandcherry. And Starburstcontainless than 2 percent of citric acid, tapioca dextrin, gelatin, modified corn starch, natural and artificial flavors, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and food colorings.SnickersIf you can never seem to get enough of this chocolatey, caramel-filled candy, youre actually not in the worst shape on this list. The first ingredient in Snickers in m ilk chocolate, which is comprised of sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, skim milk, lactose, milkfat, soy lecithin and artificial flavor. Then you have corn syrup (sigh), peanuts, sugar, palm oil, skim milk, lactose, salt, egg whites, spice, natural and artificial flavors, and chili extract.Sour Patch KidsTo no ones surprise, Sour Patch Kids are basically straight sugar with a zing of sourness thrown in for good measure. The first ingredient is sugar, followed by invert sugar (a mixture of glucose and fructose). Then you get corn syrup and modified corn starch for the candys structure. Tartaric acid and citric acid prove the sour factor, and then theres natural and artificial flavors, along with a handful of food dyes.Hershey KissesHershey Kisses have the most simple ingredient list here, likely because the candy itself is fairly straightforward. The first ingredient is milk chocolate, which is made with sugar, milk, chocolate, cocoa butter, lactose, milkfat, soy lecithin and polyglycer ol polyricinoleate (an emulsifier we mentioned earlier). The second and final ingredient is vanillin, which is an artificial flavor.Jelly Belly Jelly BeansReady for another sugar bomb? The first ingredient in Jelly Belly jelly beans is sugar, followed by glucose syrup and modified cornstarch. Then you have grape juice concentrate and fruit and vegetableconcentrates- spirulina, pumpkin, carrot, black carrotandblack currant. (But dont be fooled into thinking that youre reaping the nutritional benefits of veggies here.) They also use an acidity regulator and a bunch of flavorings, colorings and glazing agents. Sounds natural?If youre tempted by the crispy crunch of Butterfinger, your teeth are in some trouble. The classic peanut-chocolate treat is made with corn syrup, sugar, ground roasted peanuts, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, cocoaandmolasses. Then theres less than 1 percent of dairy product solids, confectioners corn flakes, nonfat milk, salt, soy lecithin, soybean oil, cornstarc h, natural flavors, monoglycerides, freshness-preservingtert-Butylhydroquinone (which is commonly used in microwave popcorn, butter and chicken nuggets), citric acid and annatto color. Were not so tempted anymoreThis article originally appeared on Swirled.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people