Snickers is a popular candy bar manufactured by Mars, Incorporated. In 1911, Frank Mars and his wife Ethel began making chocolate-covered candies in their Tacoma, Washington kitchen. Their small business expanded into The Mars Candy Factory. The company introduced the Snickers bar in 1930 and sold it for 5 cents. The company does business worldwide and is composed of six global divisions. Mars is the one of the largest manufacturers of confectionery candies in the world.
Calories
The serving size for a regular-sized Snickers Bar is one bar of 59 g. Each Snickers bar contains 280 calories. People's daily caloric needs vary according to age, sex and activity level, according to MyPyramid.gov. For instance, the recommended calorie intake for a moderately active young man aged 21 to 25 is 2,800 calories. This means that the 280 calories in one Snickers bar would make up 10 percent of the total calories for the day.
Fats
The Mars website lists each Snickers Bar as having 14 g total fat, 5 g of saturated fat and no trans fat. Of the candy's total calories, 130 are derived from fats. It makes good sense health-wise to choose your fats wisely. MayoClinic.com suggests giving preference to the healthier monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats over the unhealthier saturated and trans fats. Saturated fats should be no more than 10 percent of the day's fat intake and trans fats should account no more than 1 percent.
Carbohydrate and Sugar
There are 35 g of carbohydrate contained in one Snickers Bar, of which 30 g are sugars. Sugars are simple carbohydrates that are easily digested and raise blood glucose levels very quickly. The American Heart Association states that most people consume more sugar than is healthy. Sugar has no nutritional value, and although sugary foods taste good, they offer no health benefit and promote tooth decay. Sugar should make up no more than one-half of the day's discretionary calories, which is approximately 100 to 150 calories. A Snickers Bar should be enjoyed occasionally and not as an everyday treat.
Sodium
The nutrition label states that one Snickers Bar contains 140 mg of sodium. Sodium is an essential nutrient that must be obtained through the diet. It is necessary for proper nerve and muscle functioning. However, consuming too much sodium each day can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure. It also increases the amount of calcium lost in the urine, which may affect bone health. One Snickers Bar is classified as low-sodium food because it contains 140 mg of sodium or less.
Protein
Snicker Bars contain peanuts, which are a good source of protein. Each candy bar provides 4 g of protein. The body requires protein to repair and make new cells. Peanuts are an incomplete source of protein, meaning they do not contain all of the essential amino acids. The amount of protein needed each day varies by an individual's age and health.
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