Holidays candy: Thanksgiving and Christmas candy

The holidays are here once again. Every day is christmas day . Every day is thanksgiving day. Everday is a holiday now. Every retail store, departmental store, grocery store, drug store even some restaurants have purposefully set a side a whole lot of space located strategically where most of the customers walk into the store.

There is "candy this" and "candy that" which is well merchandised and displayed on the shelves and sales floors counter-tops ready to catch the eyes of would-be buyers who walk into the store to do their shopping.

We are in the months of summer and already halloween candy is on sale and deals of discounts and offers are being bombarded to customers by retail stores via mail, radio broadacsts, internet mail and social networking sites. We are at the commencement of the Fall months and christmas is already on the shelves in the local stores.

We are appraoching new year celebrations and easter candy and bunnies are already on the shelves.

This state of events ensures that we are constantly under the attack of candy and innocently we keep buying the candy due to the irresistable merchandising and presentations by the retailers that leave us with no defense to resist the offers psychologically arousing our "sweet teeth". We all have a "sweet tooth" although the degrees vary from one individual to another.

It is, therefore,important to note that there is a constant supply of candy to our homes and the candy pots never run dry all year round.Our mouths go on munching away throughout the year.

There are many types of candy found in our retail market either in the stores or online.

Candy could either be hard candy or soft candy. Hard candy as the name suggests is meant to be sucked slowly and the juices swallowed as the candy melts slowly in the mouth.The degree of hardness of the candy vary depending on the customers' preferences and the manufacturers' candy recipes. Soft candy ,on the other hand, is easily dissolvable in the mouth and could be chewed and the juices sucked and swallowed easily and more readily than the hard candy.The softness of the candy also varies depending on the candy recipe and the preferences of both the consumer and the manufacturer.

Candy can also be chocolated or non-chocolated candy. Chocalated candy is rich in chocolate in its recipe whereas non-chocolated candy is made from recipes that make use of other flavourings and ingredients other than chocolates.

Candy can also be described based on the flavours. On the basis of flavours we may have all types of flavoured candy such as strawberry, mixed fruit, orange,banana,grape,watermelon,peppermint,etc. Based on the flavours, we may also have spicy candy or hot candy and mild or non-spicy candy.

In short, there are very many types of candy available and a variety of candy recipes available to satisfy the ever changing consumer tastes and preferences.

The basic ingredients of candy in any candy recipe can all be grouped into;

1. sweetening agents - sugars, non-sugar sweetening enhancers.
2. Binding agents - gums
3. preservatives
4. flavouring agents--chocolate,fruits flavors.
5. colouring agents
6. Thickening agents-starches

Each candy can easily be broken down into the above six groups of ingredients that make up the candy. These groups of ingredients vary from one recipe to the next leading to the productions of different unique brands of candy we find in the market place.

Too much of everything is poisonus. Candy, just as it is sweet so is it dangerous when we consume too much of it. How much is too much?

The makers of each candy are now required to display on the wrappings of the candy the ingedients, the calories and other contents of the candy. It is important to read the manufacturers labels on the candy. The labels provide useful information that can allow us to realize how much of a particular candy we can eat. If the label does not provide this information,run very fast from that particular candy!

The dangers of candy are varied depending on the amount and type of candy consumed. The dangers vary from one candy to another but the common dangers or so-called candy side-effects include;

1. Allergy- An allergic reaction to candy may be caused by a particluar ingredient in the candy recipe. It is necessary to read the candy label. Allergy could be a serious reaction such as anaphylaxis seen when the person has difficulty breathing,rashes, swollen tongue,face and may need emergency medical attention and CPR to save their lives. This is seen in nut allergy such as peanut allergy in children and elderly people.
2. Choking in young children and elderly. Candy especially hard candy can be catastrophic if swallowed acidentally. A lot hospital of emergencies during and around holiday season are related to candy swallowed accidentally
3. Abdominal pains,diarrhea,nausea,and vomiting can also be a problem. This candy side-effect is seen when too much candy is ingested. Sometimes it could also be as a result of the accumulation of too much sugar in the tummy leading to indigestion.
4. Weight gain can also happen by the end of the "candy season". Sucking,chewing and eating to much candy can lead to the gaining of unwanted excess pounds. The candy have a high calorie content due to the sugars and lack of exercise on the part of the consumers with a sedentary life style worsens the situation,end result overweight.
5. Tooth decay is common in children and adults who are unable to clean their teeth well. The acids in candy erodes the enamel whereas the sugars in the mouth ferment serving as broth for bacteria to grow. The bacteria attack the food particles in the mouth causing decay. Cavities develop and teeth sensitivity increases.

 The people who benefit in this whole candy deal and celebrate during the candy mania or explosion include:

1. The supply chain- From the manufactures of the candy to the jobbers to the wholesalers and to the retailers of the candy. All these supply chain companies benefit from their mark-ups on the price.
2. The dental insurance companies, dentists network and dental care providers. Many more people especially those that consume much candy without proper cleaning of their teeth have to seek dental care services as a result of tooth decay or damage.
3. Weightloss service providers also see an increased influx of people seeking their services due to weight gain. The people eat candy that explodes in their bodies causing weight gain. The excess weight gain can lead to a myriad of health issues. Most commonly is diabetes,high blood pressure,high cholesterol and arthritis.

Candy to our holidays equals fun and happiness. Candy gives us a smile and relaxes our tensions when we are in a celebrative mood during our holidays.

Candy strengthens our family relations as it serves a medium of exchange of thanks and fun-filled presents during the holidays and festivities. Candy makes it easy for us all to pass it as presents and gifts to our families,friends,companions or co-workers.

On the other hand, holiday candy helps a lot people make extra cash buying get involved in its distribution.In turn the cash makes the celebrations of these candy sellers even much better.