Candy LandA national craving for Gummy Bears and lemon drops bulks up candy store sales.

You know the feeling--that irrepressible craving that hitsaround 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Or maybe it's a trip tothe movies that triggers the uncontrollable urge. Perhaps you neverthink about it until you come face to face with a sweet treat atthe mall--and then you absolutely have to have it. No matter whenit strikes, America's sweet tooth needs to be sated.

Sure, Americans are spending billions on diets and lo-cal andfat-free foods. But if everyone is so hell-bent on eating right,why did we gobble up an average of more than 24 pounds of candy in1996 compared to 17.9 pounds in 1983?