15+ Sugar Free Christmas Candy Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is sugar free candy OK for diabetics? ›

Bottom line. Yes, children and adults with diabetes can and do eat candy. The key is moderation and making sure to track the number of carbohydrates and calories eaten. Sugar-free candies can be better for blood sugar levels, but they still contain carbs and calories.

However, the great thing about our zero sugar candy recipe is that we use sugar free honey! How do we do it? Well, we use monk fruit extract as the sweetening agent. We also use a no-sugar alcohol, and that way, you won't have tummy issues.

The formula of sugar-free hard candy is by weight percentage: Crystal maltose alcohol 50%, xylitol 8%, isomalt 40%, Mint Essence 0.2%, menthol 0.2%, vanillic aldehyde 0.1%, food coloring 0.01%, monoglyceride 0.001%, surplus is water.

When sugar cravings strike and you really want something sweet, experts agree fruit is your best option. Try dates, raisins, figs, berries, pears, and really any other delicious fruit. Fruit-based purees and jams and sauces, such as applesauce, with no added sugars can also bring a big sweet reward to your treats.

Overall, allulose is the closest to processed sugar in both taste and texture while holding less calories. Erythritol has a taste very similar to sugar with no aftertaste but can create a cooling sensation in the mouth.

Stevia contains high quantities of diterpene glycosides, which cannot be broken down or absorbed by the digestive tract. Therefore, intake of stevia sweetener does not affect the blood glucose level.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), you can still eat candy, chocolate, and other foods containing added sugars as long as you combine this with a balanced dietary plan.

“Generally speaking, sugar-free candy will have less of an effect on blood glucose than its sugar-containing counterpart,” says Jo-Anne M. Rizzotto, RD, a certified diabetes care and education specialist at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.

Twizzlers, 2 Strawberry Twists These are almost pure sugar. “Sometimes people with diabetes want to use their favorite candy to treat a low blood sugar incident,” says Norwood. “It's permission to eat sugar when they otherwise feel they shouldn't be eating it regularly.” Carbohydrate count: 18 g.

What is a good sugar substitute for candy? ›

Natural plant sources, such as stevia and monk fruit, or artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, acesulfame potassium, or sucralose, can be used. Common bulking agents that are used with plant-based sources include erythritol, allulose, fiber, and maltodextrin.

There are a few reasons why there may not be as much choice for sugar-free sweets in the supermarket: Production costs: Sugar-free sweets often require the use of artificial sweeteners or alternative sweetening methods, which can be more expensive to produce than traditional sugar-sweetened products.

Con: Sugar-Free Candy Costs More

Manufacturers charge more for these products because they use synthetics that cost more to source. It's difficult to make candy that tastes good without sugar. Since the process is more challenging, companies must charge more.

Sugar alcohols are digested very slowly in the intestine and are not fully absorbed into the blood. Therefore, they do not raise blood sugar the same way other carbohydrates do. Due to the slow digestion, they are fermented by the bacteria in the intestine and as a result can cause abdominal gas, bloating and diarrhea.

sorry, but no. Moderation is still important. That said...if you're going to help yourself to a few pieces of sugar-free candy (and def feel free!), just know that you'll want to factor those carbs, grams of fat, and calories into your recommended daily intake.

Some people may find that the taste of sugar-free hard candies is similar to regular hard candies, while others may find that the taste is slightly different. Some sugar-free hard candies may contain artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, which can have a slightly different taste than sugar.