THE unhealthiest chocolate to indulge on at Christmas has been revealed.
Out of all the treats analysed, it is a Cadbury product that ranks top with the most sugar per 100g.
The findings are part of a study by weight loss programme Second Nature, which looked at all chocolate available at UK supermarkets.
Cadbury Mini Snow Balls have a whopping 68g per 100, meaning the moreish treat is the most unhealthy.
Other popular chocolates listed include Aero, After Eight and Galaxy.
Festive mainstay Terry’s Chocolate Orange also rounds off the top 10.
Mike Gibbs, co-founder of Second Nature, said, “As Christmas Day draws near, tucking into festive chocolates is a tradition most of us wouldn’t dream of skipping.
“It’s all part of the fun, but it’s worth knowing just how much sugar is crammed into these little treats.
“Some of the most popular chocolates on supermarket shelves are packed with surprisingly high amounts of sugar, and it can quickly add up if you’re not careful – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy them.
“However, keeping an eye on portion sizes and being mindful of how much you’re having can certainly make a big difference.”
1. Cadbury Mini Snow Balls – 68g
2. Galaxy Chocolate Selection Box – 67g
3. After Eight – 66.2g
4. Matchmakers: Zingy Orange – 63.4g
5. Matchmakers: Cool Mint – 62.1g
6. Cadbury Milk Chocolate Coins – 61g
7. Aero Bubbles -60.4g
8. Smarties Elf Treats Milk Chocolate Tube – 60.3g
9. M&M’s Santa Milk Chocolate – 59.2g
10. Terry’s Chocolate Orange – 59.0g
The average calorie consumption for the big day is over 5,000 – meaning it is little wonder people tend to add a few pounds to their waistline.
However, eating so much also leads to discomfort – gurgles, bloating and constipation.
And what’s worst, lots of chemists are closed over the festive period, so people often have nowhere to turn after indulging in all that heavy food.
Meanwhile, there are an estimated 13,200 visits to the NHS heartburn and acid reflux page during Christmas Day and Boxing Day – equivalent to one view every 13 seconds.
Heartburn happens when the muscle that helps push food from the oesophagus to the stomach doesn’t work properly, allowing stomach acid to travel up the oesophagus and cause irritation.
GP Dr Tom Matthew, registered nutritionist, GP Dr Sarah Cooke and physiotherapist Nell Mead told The Sun last year how we can cope with the Christmas gut hangovers at home.
While Kayla Daniels, registered nutritionist and founder of Kayla’s Nutrition, has advised on the Christmas tipples you should avoid past 6pm to stay energised, from sausage rolls to Guinness.
Watch your alcohol intake – having too much alcohol can affect the quality of your sleep.
Get up on time – the more consistent you are with sleep and wake up times, the better quality your sleep will be.
Say no to napping (or long naps) – napping for longer than 25 minutes can impact your sleep quality at bedtime, according to research.
Relax and get mindful – taking time to practice relaxation techniques and mindfulness during the daytime will help your mind rest and will ensure you feel more refreshed, even if you struggle to sleep well.
Source: The Insomnia Clinic
