Eating candy as a child was a fun pastime to enjoy, sometimes earn, and look forward to. When it comes to our health, as we age, we understand the consequences of eating sugar. As children we knew we could only have sugar “sometimes” and now as adults this rule is true, but it takes willpower. Caramel is a type of confection made from sugar, butter and cream, so the taste buds love it.
A 100 gram piece of caramel has 382 calories, 8 grams of fat and 77 grams of carbohydrates. We can try to find a silver lining and say that caramel contains antioxidants, potassium and iron. Don’t forget that it is full of sugar, calories, and may contain additives such as artificial colors and preservatives.
Perhaps reading how caramel is made will provide more insight into the health benefits. To make homemade caramels, the recipe calls for 1 cup of unsalted butter, 1 cup of corn syrup, 1 can of condensed milk, 2 cups of brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and 2 teaspoons of salt. Start by melting the butter in a saucepan, then add the corn syrup, condensed milk and brown sugar. Boil and stir until the temperature reaches between 235 and 245 F (scratch the sides of the pan while stirring). Once soft, add vanilla extract and salt. Pour everything into a new pan and let it cool. Cut into squares to serve.
Caramel sure sounds amazing. Knowing what it’s made of might make you reconsider what caramel’s health “benefits” are. A sweet tooth can be dangerous, but it can be kept at bay. We don’t have to eat candy all the time, but when we do, we make sure we eat what we like. For some of us, caramel is on that list.
Nutrient Caramels: A Review – PMC
Caramel stickiness: Effects of composition, rheology and surface energy – ScienceDirect
(PDF) Nutrient Caramels: A Review
size and character of caramel color | International Journal of Food Science and Technology Oxford Academician
Dr. Megan Johnson McCullough owns a fitness studio in Oceanside CA called Every BODY’s Fit. He holds a PhD in Health and Human Performance, an MA in Physical Education and Health Sciences, and is a NASM Certified Trainer and Educator. She is also a professional natural bodybuilder, fitness model, wellness coach and AFAA group instructor. He also has 6 books on Amazon.
