For individuals with diabetes or who are watching their sugar intake, is sugar-free candy a healthy choice?

Discover the Delight of Sugar-Free Candy Options

Sugar-Free Candy

Sugar-free candies can be an option for individuals with diabetes and those watching their sugar intake. Different types of sweeteners are used in sugar-free candies, with pros and cons and possible side effects.

Ingredients

Sugar-free candies use artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes to generate a sweet taste. Most of these sweeteners have fewer calories and carbohydrates than sugar, but not all are calorie or carb-free. Some sugar substitutes on labels include:

  • Aspartame
  • Saccharin
  • Sucralose
  • Aspartame, saccharin, stevia, and sucralose are calorie-free and carb-free.
  • Stevia is a non-alcoholic, non-artificial sugar substitute made from plant leaves.
  • Sugar alcohols – erythritol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, and sorbitol contain some carbohydrates.

Pros

Pros over candies sweetened with sugar.

Satisfies Cravings

  • Sugar-free candies can satisfy sweet cravings with less impact on blood sugar than their full-sugar counterparts.

Less Sugar

Blood Sugar Levels

  • Individuals with diabetes can maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Healthy Teeth

  • Candies and gums pose less risk to teeth.

Carbohydrates From Sugar Alcohols

  • Sugar alcohols are digested differently than regular sugar and have less impact on blood sugar levels.
  • If counting carbohydrates, subtract half the grams of sugar alcohol from the total carbohydrates on the label.
  • For example, if total carbohydrates are 25 and sugar alcohols are 20, count the food as 15 carbs per serving. (University of California, San Francisco, Diabetes Teaching Center, 2024)

Cons

The cons can include:

Digestive Side Effects

  • For some individuals, especially with irritable bowel syndrome/IBS, sugar alcohols can cause unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects like bloating and diarrhea. (Mäkinen K. K. 2016)
  • It is recommended to avoid large amounts, especially for individuals with a sensitive stomach. (Evert, A. B. et al., 2019)

Taste

  • There may be an irregular or unfamiliar taste that can require getting used to.
  • Try other types and brands.

Carbohydrates

  • Always read the label.
  • The sweetener may contain some or none.
  • Other ingredients may have added carbohydrates.
  • For example, sugar-free chocolates may be high in saturated fat from ingredients like cocoa butter.

Appetite stimulants

  • Zero-calorie sweeteners may stimulate appetite, leading to eating more, which can be counterproductive to dietary goals. (Azad, M. B. et al., 2017)

Options

Choosing which types are best depends on personal taste and health goals.

  • Because of fatty ingredients, sugar-free chocolates may not be recommended if heart problems exist or fat intake must be limited.
  • Hard candies may be a better option.
  • Sugar alcohols can have an impact on blood sugar levels, which may make the candies less than ideal for those with diabetes. Digestive side effects can make them less appealing as well.
  • Some artificial sweeteners may cause discomfort. Learning the body’s response will help when choosing.
  • When it comes to taste, note what the preferred candy is sweetened with, as well as other ingredients, to guide future purchases.
  • Choose a snack that blends something sweet with other healthy ingredients, like fiber or protein, whole grains, nuts, or dried fruit. For example, strawberries with dark chocolate or apple slices with peanut butter.

Dr. Jimenez  Functional Medicine Team. Healthy eating does not have to be hard. Using an integrated approach, we aim to restore health and function to the body through Nutrition and Wellness, Functional Medicine, Acupuncture, Electro-Acupuncture, and Sports Medicine protocols. If the patient needs other treatment, they will be referred to a clinic or physician best suited for them, as Dr. Jimenez has teamed up with the top surgeons, clinical specialists, medical researchers, nutritionists, and health coaches to provide the most effective clinical treatments. We focus on what works for you and strive to better the body through researched methods and total wellness programs.


How Chiropractic Can Help Diabetic Back Pain


References

U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. Available at DietaryGuidelines.gov. Retrieved from www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf

American Heart Association. (2020). Federal dietary guidelines emphasize healthy eating but fall short on added sugars. newsroom.heart.org/news/federal-dietary-guidelines-emphasize-healthy-eating-habits-but-fall-short-on-added-sugars

University of California, San Francisco, Diabetes Teaching Center: Diabetes Education Online. (2024). Counting sugar alcohols. dtc.ucsf.edu/living-with-diabetes/diet-and-nutrition/understanding-carbohydrates/counting-carbohydrates/learning-to-read-labels/counting-sugar-alcohols/

Mäkinen K. K. (2016). Gastrointestinal Disturbances Associated with the Consumption of Sugar Alcohols with Special Consideration of Xylitol: Scientific Review and Instructions for Dentists and Other Health-Care Professionals. International journal of dentistry, 2016, 5967907. doi.org/10.1155/2016/5967907

Evert, A. B., Dennison, M., Gardner, C. D., Garvey, W. T., Lau, K. H. K., MacLeod, J., Mitri, J., Pereira, R. F., Rawlings, K., Robinson, S., Saslow, L., Uelmen, S., Urbanski, P. B., & Yancy, W. S., Jr (2019). Nutrition Therapy for Adults With Diabetes or Prediabetes: A Consensus Report. Diabetes care, 42(5), 731–754. doi.org/10.2337/dci19-0014

Azad, M. B., Abou-Setta, A. M., Chauhan, B. F., Rabbani, R., Lys, J., Copstein, L., Mann, A., Jeyaraman, M. M., Reid, A. E., Fiander, M., MacKay, D. S., McGavock, J., Wicklow, B., & Zarychanski, R. (2017). Nonnutritive sweeteners and cardiometabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l’Association medicale canadienne, 189(28), E929–E939. doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.161390

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Discover the Delight of Sugar-Free Candy Options" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*

Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Previous articleQuick and Easy Stretches to Alleviate Wrist and Hand Pain
Next articleEffective Techniques: Incorporating MET Therapy for Adductor Strain
Dr. Alex Jimenez
Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities' premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age, ability or disability.