There are two types of sweeteners used to make sugar free chocolate and candy – sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners. Sugar alcohols include sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol and maltitol. "Even though they are called sugar alcohols, they do not contain alcohol," advises the American Diabetes Association, adding that too much sugar alcohol can cause diarrhea, especially in kids.
Artificial sweeteners include saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame and sucralose, also known as Splenda. "They make food taste sweet, and have no calories and do not raise blood glucose levels," advises the ADA.
Finding and Buying Sugar Free Chocolate and Candy
Many of the major chocolate and candy makers now offer low-carb/sugar free lines. Russell Stover’s Net Carb line features chocolates and candies made with Splenda. Sugar free chocolates, truffles, toffee, caramels and peanut brittle are also sold under the Russell Stover name. Sister company Whitman’s offers a sugar free version of their famous Whitman’s Sampler.
If customers cannot find Russell Stover sugar free candy in their area, they can purchase the candy direct from Russell Stover’s website, or find the nearest Russell Stover Candies Store near them. Whitman’s also sells its sugar free chocolate, including Whitman’s Samplers, online.
Jolly Ranchers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: Sugar Free Versions
Hershey sells sugar free versions of Jolly Ranchers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Peppermint Patties, among others. These products can be found in stores and pharmacies. If a customer can’t find any of Hershey’s sugar free chocolates locally, they can be bought directly from Hershey’s website as well.
More Places to Buy Sugar Free Candy and Chocolate
- Asher’s Chocolates offers sugar free chocolates on line and in their store.
- Jelly Belly offers sugar free jelly beans and Gummi Bears.
- Wrigley’s offers several brands of sugar free gum and mints, including Extra, Orbit, Eclipse, 5, Altoids and LifeSavers.
- Dr. John’s Candy sells sugar free hard candy, soft candy and lollipops through the Diabeticfriendly.com website.
How to Find and Buy Sugar Free Candy Locally
It’s not just the big candy manufacturers who offer sugar free chocolate and candy. Call local candy makers and ask what sugar free versions of their product they offer. Local health food stores are another source of sugar free chocolates and candies. One can also purchase sugar free ingredients there to use when baking healthy desserts.
Including Sugar Free Chocolate and Candy in a Healthy Diet
People eating sugar free candy must take into account their entire nutritional intake over the day. For diabetics, “experts agree you can eat foods with sugar as long as you work them into your meal plan as you would any other carb-containing food,” advises the American Diabetes Association. Those just looking to cut down on sugar should make sure that they are eating a variety of healthy foods, in addition to snacking on sugar free treats.
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