

It obviously has less added sugar than regular candy.It may contain fewer total carbohydrates than regular candy.When eaten in moderation, sugar alcohols don’t dramatically increase blood sugars.Q: Are there benefits to choosing sugar-free candy?Ī: There are several possible benefits, including: In addition, people with or without diabetes may choose sugar-free candy if they are trying to lower calories or decrease sugar intake. Both kinds of candy can increase blood sugars, especially if portion and carbohydrate content are not considered. It is only for people with diabetes. Those who have diabetes can eat sugar as part of their overall carbohydrate budget.

The long-term goal, though, is to cut down on all candy. If you eat a lot of candy and aren’t ready to cut back, however, switching to sugar-free candy may help you better control your carbohydrate intake. Candy doesn’t count as healthy, even if it is sugar-free. Fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains are examples of healthy foods. For a 2,000 calorie per day diet, this would be about 13 grams. Pay attention to serving sizes, strictly avoid trans fats and limit saturated fat to 6 percent (fewer than 13 grams) of total calories per day. In addition, some sugar-free candy contains significant calories and is high in saturated or trans fats. Sugar-free candies and other treats may still contain carbohydrates. Q: What are some misunderstandings that surround sugar-free candy? See a registered dietitian for individualized recommendations. Many of those who have type 2 diabetes do well with an intake of 30 grams to 45 grams of carbs per meal (for women) and 45 to 60 grams per meal (for men), and snacks with no more than 20 grams of carbs. So sugar-free candy with most of the total carbs coming from these alcohols will typically have less impact on your blood sugar. It’s true that sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, xylitol, and mannitol, don’t affect blood sugars as dramatically as other carbohydrates do. You have to read the nutrition facts label to know whether a product contains carbohydrates. All carbohydrates turn into sugar in the body, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Q: How does sugar-free candy affect your body?Ī: Some sugar substitutes contain carbohydrates, while others do not.

There is wiggle room in a healthful diet for treats like sweets whether you have diabetes or not. Q: Should people with diabetes eat candy with or without sugar?Ī: About 90 percent of your diet should focus on healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, poultry and fish. In this Q and A, registered dietitian Anna Taylor, MS, RD, LD, CDE,answers our questions and discusses what you need to know about sugary treats and other foods that use sugar substitutes. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
