Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love and romance, but also a time to indulge in some sweet treats. However, not all candies are created equal, and some of them may be bad for your health, your wallet, or your taste buds. Here are some of the worst Valentine’s candies that you should avoid this year, according to experts and consumers.

Brach’s Conversation Hearts: Boring and Chalky

One of the most iconic Valentine’s candies are the conversation hearts, which feature cute messages like “Be Mine” or “Kiss Me.”. However, these candies are also one of the most disliked, as they have a chalky texture and a bland flavor. Many people report that Brach’s Conversation Hearts, which are a newer version of the original Necco Conversation Hearts, have a softer texture and racier sayings, but otherwise are very similar. These candies are not worth the calories or the money, as they offer little satisfaction or originality.

Charms Cherry Valentine’s Lollipops: Artificial and Sticky

Another classic Valentine’s candy is cherry-flavored lollipops, which are often shaped like hearts or lips. These candies may seem appealing, but they are full of artificial ingredients, such as dyes and high-fructose corn syrup, that can harm your health. Moreover, these lollipops are very sticky and can damage your teeth if you are not careful. These candies are not very charming, and you are better off choosing a natural fruit or a dark chocolate instead.

Dum Dum Friendship Exchange Heart Pops: Salty and Boring

If you are looking for fun and colorful candy to share with your friends, you may be tempted by the Dum Dum Friendship Exchange Heart Pops, which are a heart-shaped variation of the original Dum Dum lollipops. However, these candies are not very exciting, as they have the same flavors and wrappers as the regular Dum Dums, except for a saltier taste. These candies are not very friendly, and you may end up with a lot of leftovers that no one wants.

Haribo Sweet and Sour Hearts: Sticky and Unhealthy

Haribo is known for its gummy bears, but for Valentine’s Day, they offer a different product: the Sweet and Sour Hearts. These are heart-shaped gummies that have a sweet and sour coating. While these candies may seem tasty, they are very sticky and can get stuck in your teeth, causing cavities and plaque. Additionally, these candies contain palm oil and palm kernel oil, which are unhealthy fats that can raise your cholesterol and contribute to deforestation. These candies are not very sweet, and you may sour your mood and your health if you eat too many of them.

Harry and David Artisan Truffles: Expensive and Overrated

If you are looking for a more luxurious and sophisticated candy, you may be drawn to the Harry and David Artisan Truffles, which are handcrafted chocolates with various fillings and toppings. However, these candies are not very worth it, as they are very expensive and overrated. Many customers complain that the truffles are too small, too sweet, or too bland, and that they do not live up to the hype or the price. These candies are not very artisanal, and you may be disappointed by the quality and quantity of them.

Hershey’s Extremely Creamy Hearts: Waxy and Fake

Hershey’s is a popular brand of chocolate, but for Valentine’s Day, they offer a special product: the Extremely Creamy Hearts. These are heart-shaped chocolates that are supposed to be extra smooth and rich. However, these candies are very waxy and fake, as they contain vegetable oil instead of cocoa butter, which gives them a lower quality and a lower melting point. These candies are not very creamy, and you may be disgusted by the texture and flavor of them.

Jelly Bean Planet Heart Beats Valentine’s Candy: Hard and Flavorless

Jelly beans are a fun and colorful candy, but for Valentine’s Day, they offer a different product: the Heart Beats Valentine’s Candy. These are heart-shaped jelly beans that are supposed to have a fruity flavor. However, these candies are very hard and flavorless, as they have a tough shell and a bland core. These candies are not very heartwarming, and you may be bored by the taste and appearance of them.

Jelly Belly Conversation Beans: Sour and Expensive

Jelly Belly is another brand of jelly beans, but for Valentine’s Day, they offer a different product: the Conversation Beans. These are jelly beans that have messages like “Love You” or “Hug Me” printed on them. However, these candies are not very appealing, as they have a sour flavor and a high price. Many customers report that the messages are hard to read, the beans are too tart, and the package is too small. These candies are not very conversational, and you may be annoyed by the cost and the quality of them.

Peeps Marshmallow Hearts: Sugary and Gross

Peeps are a popular candy for Easter, but for Valentine’s Day, they offer a different product: Marshmallow Hearts. These are heart-shaped marshmallows that are coated with sugar and have a pink or red color. However, these candies are not very delicious, as they have a sugary and gross taste and texture. Many people find them too sweet, too sticky, or too artificial, and they may cause a stomach ache or a headache if you eat too many of them. These candies are not very peppy, and you may be sickened by the amount and type of sugar in them.