Mentos

Shhh, don’t let chocolate in on this little secret: My first choice for a lifetime treasure trove of candy is Mentos!

I’m quite addicted to this 10-whopping-calories-a-piece minty confection (10 doesn’t sound too bad, right? Consider 13 candies in one wrap and the fact I can unravel and consume that wrap in 5 minutes!).

I hold the Kentucky public school system at fault for my self-certified Mentos addiction. The candies are MADE right down the street from my childhood home. The facility pumps the wraps into local stores and offers tours. Fresh, soft, gooey Mentos are a delicacy many never experience! I was doomed from my first tour.

My addiction is very similar to that of a cigarette smoker. As soon as I finish a meal, I get this itch in the back of my throat for the cool sting and soft chew of a Mento. Nothing will satisfy the craving (except, perhaps, some mint chocolate chip ice cream, which in itself is a sure path to a future of insulin shots).

In the past I’d go to Costco and buy boxes of Mentos rolls...you know, the ones store owners purchase in bulk to sell individually. Holy Diabetes, I’d eat the entire box in less than a week!

Breaking myself of my glucose addiction was quite a challenge. I still get a wild look in my eye and a little jerky just thinking about them.

But if you were cruel enough to offer a recovering Mento addict a lifetime supply of her favorite weakness, I wouldn’t say no ,-)