Gummy Candy and its Place in a Healthy Diet

Yes, you read that right. Gummy Candy. As in fruit snacks, gummy bears, Sour candy, sour strips, Swedish fish, or, my favorite, the sour watermelon gummies! Where does this become something beneficial for your diet and how can you use these tasty treats properly? I'll tell you how

As I mentioned in my most recent blog, we know that carbs post-workout are incredibly important in building and replenishing your glycogen storage. This allows your body to shuttle protein and amino acids to your muscles in an efficient manner. As we all know, Gummies are high in Carbs and, obviously, sugar. Gummies are generally very high on the glycemic index chart, thus making them some of the fastest-acting carbs, and makes them, along with other foods, optimal in replenishing your Glycogen and Insulin stores postworkout.

However, take this information with a grain of salt! I am not telling anyone to go pound a serving and a half of gummy worms. Rather, try pairing a few gummies (maybe 1/4 - 1/2 of a serving) with other mid to high glycemic index carbs such as white rice, potatoes, or certain cereals.

Why I love working gummies into my diet so much is because it gives me a sense of normalcy that a lot of people struggle with when trying to diet or bulk. There is a time and a place for everything and as sad as it sounds, nutrition is about finding the best ways to cut corners and enjoying yourself every day. You should be eating things that not only serve a purpose in your diet but also make you happy to eat them. Gummies are one little treat that you can give yourself every day that isn't necessarily bad for you. However, let me make myself clear, there is a TIME and a PLACE for it! Post or Interm Workout is that TIME and PLACE. As previously stated, post-workout is your body's most highly absorptive state due to exasperated glycogen stores. This is the reason, even during a cut phase, pre and post-workout are where you want to put the bulk of your carbohydrates. Because, to put it simply, the likely hood of it affecting your weight at all is low! This is due to when you are in this depleted carbohydrate state, your body will IMMEDIATELY use those carbs. Rather than let them go to waste in the form of added fat cells, and further contributing to your muffin top.

So, Go ahead! Eat that gummy worm! or three. or five. Gummies are a post-workout treat that truly can serve a purpose in your diet! Remember; a few gummies don't make you unhealthy, and one salad doesn't make you healthy. Nutrition is about self-control and the dichotomy of what is too much or not enough. Enjoy the little things!