Humans have been consuming licorice for thousands of years. It is believed to have been found in King Tut's tomb, and references to it as an ancient food source have been found in the Mesopotamia and Middle East regions. The Kookaburra brand of licorice is a popular one, and if you enjoy these licorice treats, learning more about the nutrition information will help you make a healthy eating plan that works for you.
Calories
If you like to leave room in your diet for an occasional treat, it is important to know the calorie information for your favorite sweets. If you know how many calories to save for your dessert, you will be able to plan the rest of your daily menu accordingly, so you do not end up consuming an unhealthy amount of calories. Regularly taking in more calories than you are able to burn through physical activity may lead to weight gain. Four pieces of Kookaburra black licorice contain 130 calories, and four pieces of Kookaburra red licorice contain 112 calories.
Fat
It is also important to pay attention to the fat content of your favorite sweet treats so you can make sure you are not taking in more fat than what is healthy. If your diet is too high in fat, you may experience unhealthy weight gain, as well as an increase in your risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes, MayoClinic.com notes. In terms of fat content, Kookaburra licorice may be one of your better dessert choices. Four pieces of black licorice contain .5 g of fat and 0 g of saturated fat. Four pieces of red licorice contain 1 g of fat and .5 g of saturated fat.
Sugar
The main disadvantage to eating Kookaburra licorice on a regular basis is its high sugar content. According to MayoClinic.com, women should consume no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar each day and men should consume no more than 9 teaspoons. If you eat candy, such as licorice, on a regular basis, you may find it difficult to stay within these limits, which can raise your risk for dental decay, high triglycerides and weight gain. Four pieces of Kookaburra black licorice contain 19 g of sugar, or about 5 teaspoons, and four pieces of Kookaburra red licorice contain 16 g of sugar, or about 4 teaspoons.
Nutrients
If you are going to splurge on a sweet treat regularly, it is also important to take note of what nutrients you may get from your dessert. Some desserts, such as ice cream, can contain calcium, while others, such as fruit pie, may provide some fiber or vitamin C. This does not make these treats healthy, but if you are going to eat them, it is better than getting no nutrients. Unfortunately, Kookaburra black and red licorice do not supply any vitamins or minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium or iron. One 4-piece serving of either type does supply 1 g of protein, but 0 g of dietary fiber.
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