Latest news with #sweets
Vogue
4 days ago
- Health
- Vogue
5 Things That Happened After I Quit Sugar
My sweet tooth began in elementary school. I'll never forget my first obsession: large chocolate candies stuffed with macadamia nuts. I would devour a box of them every day. By the time I was old enough to care about portions, the amount of sweets I consumed had decreased—but the habit of reaching for sugary treats as a 'reward' or a 'stress reliever' had certainly not. On really bad days, I'd fantasize about squirting whipped cream directly into my mouth. By the time I got to my thirties, I wasn't in great health. In fact, the days when I felt less-than-vibrant had become the norm; I was constantly plagued with heavy fatigue and emotional ups and downs. My moods were out of control. I felt sluggish, irritable, and dull. Something needed to change. Around the same time, I started to study molecular nutrition. When I learned about the negative effects of white sugar and other refined carbohydrates, I was floored. I began slowly eliminating them from my diet. It was difficult at first, but as I began to cut back little by little, my health gradually changed as well. But what exactly does refined sugar do to the body and why is it so hard to quit? Here's what I learned while studying molecular nutrition, and what happened when I finally cut the sweet stuff out for good. Refined sugar and blood glucose levels Here's the thing: Most of the fiber, minerals, and vitamins have been removed from white sugar. Because of this, there is almost nothing to inhibit its speed of absorption and, thus, the body's blood sugar level spikes immediately. This rapid fluctuation in blood glucose levels is the main problem. When blood sugar levels suddenly rise, the body tries to process it by secreting large amounts of insulin; this causes a sudden drop in blood glucose in turn. This up-and-down triggers a variety of issues. For example, a sudden drop in blood glucose leads the body to become stressed. Even when there is enough energy from other foods, the body shifts into energy-saving mode by suppressing functions other than those necessary to sustain life, such as respiration and circulation. It's like a smartphone with 10% of its battery power remaining. Extreme sleepiness, lethargy, and poor concentration follow.
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Urgent 'do not eat' warning issued for popular sweets due to cancer fears
Officials have issued an urgent recall for a number of popular Jolly Rancher sweets over fears they contain ingredients linked to cancer. Those who've already eaten them should not panic, the Food Standards Agency has warned, as the risk is low, but they should be disposed of. These include Hard Candy, 'Misfits' Gummies. Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Berry Gummies, all made by the Hershey company. The sweets contain the harmful chemicals Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) and Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbon (MOSH). These chemicals from crude oil have been linked to serious illness including cancer, particularly in the liver and lymph nodes. This makes the sweets unsafe to eat, particularly over long periods of time, and not compliant with UK law. American multi-national firm Hershey has taken action to remove them from the UK market. But other the sweets are still on some shelves as other businesses continue to import them to the UK. The alert urges these businesses to stop importing and selling the sweets to consumers, and tells customers not to buy or eat them.
South China Morning Post
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
How incredible vegetable desserts in Japan changed my mind about sweets
I'm the first person to refuse dessert at the end of a meal and, like many Asians, consider 'not too sweet' the finest compliment I can bestow upon a cake or its brethren. So many found it odd that I spent some time in Hokkaido recently with the main aim of attending a sweets festival. Japan's National Confectionery Exposition has been held since 1911 to promote the country's sweets trade. It occurs once every four years but, owing to the pandemic, was cancelled in 2021 and last held in 2017. The expo returned this year for its 28th edition – called Smile Sweets Hokkaido – and was held in Asahikawa, a small city in Hokkaido, Japan's northern island known for its excellent dairy industry and high-quality fruit and vegetables. More than 1,000 products featured. Let's just say I've never seen such a frenzy for packaged sable biscuits, castella cakes and other sweets as I did that weekend. A Hokkaido milk and corn soft serve ice cream from Smile Sweets Hokkaido, the 28th edition of Japan's National Confectionery Exposition. Photo: Charmaine Mok Queues for the festival's on-site desserts, such as fluffy, cream-filled pancakes and strawberry parfaits, took up to an hour. The only thing I ended up enjoying was a single soft-serve ice cream made with Hokkaido corn, and that was only because most people were hiding from the rain at the time.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Mars confirms comeback of beloved chocolate treat that was axed 11 years ago - due to 'popular demand'
A popular sweet treat that was axed 11 years ago is now back on supermarket shelves across the UK - and Britons are over the moon. Chocolate fans couldn't believe their eyes when they started coming across White Maltesers, which were discontinued due to low sales in 2014, in the shops. And now Mars Wrigley has confirmed that they officially in production again due to 'popular demand'. 'Consumers absolutely love Maltesers white chocolate and have been clamouring for us to bring it back. I'm happy to confirm that we are now finally going to do just that,' the brand's senior manager, Clare Moulder told Talking Retail. 'White chocolate is a growing trend and as the number two favourite chocolate brand in the UK, we are perfectly placed to answer this demand. 'We also know that white chocolate versions of favourite brands appeal to the under 35 demographic, so this launch is set to bring existing as well as new consumers to confectionery aisles.' While the confirmed comeback date is June 16, with Mars Wrigley promising 'a variety of formats nationwide and roll out across independent channel via wholesale', some have already spotted the sweet treat at their local grocer's. Taking to X, many shoppers couldn't hold their excitement back. 'No one is more happy for white Maltesers to come back than me,' one celebrated. 'White chocolate Maltesers back in five days OHHHHHH YESSS,' another penned. Another simply offered: 'Can't believe white Maltesers are back.' Elsewhere, many claimed they had spotted the revered snack at Morrison's. The comeback is sure to delight sweet-tooths across the nation, who were long calling for White Maltesers to be put back in circulation. They were launched in 2003 but stopped being made in 2014 with the manufacturer - Mars Wrigley citing low sales. While the confirmed comeback date is June 16, with Mars Wrigley promising 'a variety of formats nationwide and roll out across independent channel via wholesale', some have already spotted the sweet treat at their local grocer's. Taking to X, many shoppers couldn't hold their excitement back However, many lamented the loss of the product, and a petition was launched in 2017, calling for its return, with a number of X users writing about their love of the white chocolate treat. One said: 'White chocolate Maltesers were the best thing I've ever had and I need them back.' Another added: 'Like Maltesers white chocolate that was sooo good as well.' A third simply asked: 'Why did they discontinue white ?' Influencer @johns_snackreviews was speculating on their return in May. In a post on Instagram, he wrote: 'White Maltesers are BACK!!!! Coming soon to the UK! 'After being discontinued from 2014, they're back after huge public demand. Expected mid June - start of July release. 'NB: dates might not be 100% accurate. Unsure which shop will have them first, but they'll be in all shops eventually.' Instagram users reacted with delight to a post announcing that the sweet treat is set to make a comeback months ago People took to the comments section of the post to share their delight about the news. One fan of the product wrote: 'NO WAY. These were me favourite back in day I was only taking about them the other day as well. Will definitely be stocking up on these.' Another added: 'This better be real. I've wanted these bad boys to make a comeback for so long!! Remember when they used to do the buckets of them!!' And a third wrote: 'NO!!!! Please don't let this be a tease!! Omg!!!!!! John I could kiss you!!' 'My favourite,' another said. While a further Instagram user wrote: 'OMG YESSS FINALLY!!!' Another added: 'Should never have even been discontinued. Hope they still taste the same.' 'This is exciting,' said a sweet-toothed fan of the snack. And a further user described it as 'a rare win for the UK'. Speaking recently to Sky News, when asked about whether white chocolate Maltesers will be making a comeback, a Mars Wrigley UK spokesperson hinted that a return could be on the cards. They said: 'We're always listening to the fans of our chocolate and fruity treats, which is why we're constantly innovating our ranges. 'Whilst White Chocolate Maltesers aren't currently on shelves, we're pleased to offer many delicious alternatives such as M&M's, and of course, our original Maltesers. 'We've always got an ear to the ground and recognise the enduring love for old favourites, so stay tuned for some epic comebacks that could be happening soon… Watch this space!'
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
B&M shoppers rush to buy ‘delicious' new twist on classic childhood sweet
B&M shoppers are racing to buy new sweets that's are a 'delicious' twist on a childhood classic. Sweet-toothed fans say the limited Rowntree sweet is 'delish'. 1 The budget retailer has just dropped Rowntree's Squidgers – a new chewy version of the iconic Jelly Tots and Fruit Pastilles. Fans spotted them in B&M stores for just £1.25 a pack. The Jelly Tots Squidgers and Fruit Pastilles Squidgers are flying off shelves, with shoppers rushing to snap them up. One excited fan said: 'They sound so nice – I need to try these!' Another gushed: 'Saw them in B&M, they're so yum.' Made with fruit juice and no artificial colours, the treats come with a softer, squidgier texture than the originals, giving your childhood faves a tasty update. But there's a catch – B&M is the only place stocking them right now, and they're not available online, so you'll need to head in-store to bag a pack. Sweet fans are already racing to their local branches to hunt them down, with many calling them the 'perfect snack' for summer. If you want to try them yourself, it's worth ringing your nearest B&M before making the trip to check they've got them in stock. So if you're after a chewy, fruity throwback with a modern twist, these Squidgers might just be your next go-to treat. I wasn't going to fork out for a Labubu so nabbed a budget alternative from B&M instead - it's SO much cuter too New sweet treats Its comes as Aldi announced the launch of its own version of the wildly popular Dubai-style chocolate bar. The indulgent treat features layers of rich pistachio cream and crunchy kadayif pastry, all encased in smooth milk chocolate. The luxurious chocolate bar will be hitting UK shelves later this month, retailing at £3.99. Meanwhile, shoppers have been going wild over after a beloved Quality Street dessert returned to supermarket shelves. The Toffee Penny pudding was spotted at Iceland stores this week. Elsewhere, chocoholics spotted a rare Cadbury treat from overseas on B&M shelves. The 5 Star Mini Treats - a caramel-packed favourite usually found in far-flung places like India, Brazil and South Africa – are now being sold for just £2 in UK stores. Plus, shoppers have discovered a brand new kinder bar as part of Tesco's meal deal offer. The new snack features a crispy wafer layered with smooth milky and cocoa-hazelnut creams, wrapped in milk chocolate and topped with biscuit crumbs. It's quickly becoming a fan favourite, thanks to its indulgent flavour and affordable price. How to save money at B&M Shoppers have saved hundreds of pounds a year by using B&M's scanner app. The scanner lets you see if an item's price is cheaper than advertised on the shop floor label. Products that are typically discounted are seasonal items and old stock that B&M is trying to shift. The app is free to download off the B&M Stores mobile app via Google Play or the Apple App Store. According to one ex-B&M manager, you'll want to visit your local branch at 10am on a Wednesday too. Here's how you can join the B&M bargain hunt: Download the B&M app for free on any smartphone with an App Store or Google Play. Once you've installed it on your device, click on the option labelled "more" on the bottom, right-hand side of the app home page. You'll then find an option that says "barcode scanner". Click on this and you'll open a camera screen. Use the camera to hover over the barcode of the product you wish to check. If the price comes up as lower, take it to the cash desk and it will automatically scan at the lower price. You don't need to sign up to the B&M app to use the barcode scanner.
