The Hershey Bar: A Sugar Ruler

If you go on Hershey’s website, the word iconic is used to describe the classic Hershey bar. Probably one of the most recognizable confections in the world, everyone can grasp the size, flavor and shape of a Hershey bar. That’s why I like to use it as a measure. The Hershey bar is my sugar ruler.

I’m constantly asked about sugar. That’s a good thing. It means you are aware that sugar isn’t good. Questions about the white stuff loom: How much can I have? Is one sugar better than another? Is there really that much sugar in soda?  This is where I employ the iconic Hershey Bar. Pick one up the next time you’re in line at the grocery store. Flip it over and check out the sugar grams. Twenty grams of sugar. 

Next task, how many Hershey bars do you think would be wise to eat in a day? One, two, three? Picture yourself opening up the third bar in your stress-filled day. My guess is most of you reading would not eat three Hershey bars. It doesn’t seem healthy, right? I mean 60 grams of sugar is what some experts say is a maximum that our body can safely process in a day. But would you consider popping a buck-fifty into a soda machine and drinking down a 20 oz bottle of Coke or Mountain Dew? If you would, then you just ate three Hershey bars! Really! 

“I don’t drink soda,” you say. OK, great! Do you ever treat yourself to a Starbucks Grande Frappuccino (2 ¼ Hershey bars), Panera’s Cinnamon Crunch Bagel (1 ¼ Hershey bars), 1 cup of Ben & Jerrys Chocolate Fudge Brownie (2 Hershey bars), an average (not the jumbo) margarita (2 Hershey bars)? Have you ever thought those two margaritas last Friday night were four Hershey bars? Those Hershey bars add up throughout the day.

We look at labels to figure out if something is a good option. But with sugar, it’s hard to have a good reference point. How much is too much? So measure it out in Hershey bars. And instead of the whole bar, look for options that have sugar more like a Hershey Kiss! (2 ½ grams of sugar)

Kathy Gillen is a wellness coach and nutritional consultant. Visit her at www.wellnessroadtrip.com