Not many diet plans include candy, and with good reason. Candy adds calories in the form of refined carbohydrates and fat -- both of which can destroy your diet. If you do decide to eat candy while you're trying to lose weight, opt for a one piece of dark chocolate that contains at least 60 percent cocoa mass. You'll fulfill your craving without derailing your weight loss efforts.
Calories
Eating a piece of candy now and then won't hurt your diet, but eating it every day can lead to extra pounds. The calories in candy can add up fast, and if your weakness is chocolate, you will be contending with calories from fat as well as sugar. One piece of hard butterscotch candy has just 21 calories, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Eat 10 of these candies over the course of an afternoon and you've consumed over 200 calories. The same goes for chocolate bars -- a typical chocolate bar contains over 200 calories.
Refined Carbohydrates
Candy can cause your weight loss to slow down due to the extra calories they add to your diet. There's another reason that they can stall weight loss, however. Candy, being comprised of primarily sugar, is exceptionally high in refined carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates interfere with weight loss, contribute to weight gain and can even lead to serious diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. The blood sugar fluctuations that candy causes can lead to increased cravings for candy, creating a vicious circle.
Fat
Some candy provides a double whammy of sugar and fat. Chocolate bars, raisins with white "yogurt" coating and candy with nuts always contains a significant amount of diet-wrecking fat. Often the fat is saturated. Read the label on your candy bar wrapper to make sure it doesn't contain partially hydrogenated oils, which can be bad for your health. The cholesterol-neutral cocoa butter found in quality chocolate is not harmful however, although you must still consider the calorie content.
Alternatives
Dried fruits, while still high in sugar, also provide nutrients and fiber. Try snacking on a dried apricot or a handful of dried blueberries when you get a craving for candy. Many dried fruits will also provide you with a boost of antioxidants as well. You will still need to watch your calories, as 1 oz. of dried fruit can contain close to 100 calories. Another good candy alternative is frozen grapes -- a low-calorie sweet treat.
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