Question:
Is Diabetic Candy OK??

I am about 3 1/2 months post op from OPEN RNY. I have not tried any sugar or sweets, but today I bought a piece of chocolate diabetic candy and ate it. IT tasted sooooooo heavenly. It contained absolutely no sugar or salt (I actually have no idea what it DID contain though!) Anyway, I only had a piece and it did not make me sick. I am just wondering if this is ok once in awhile??? I feel terribly guilty over it! I am not sure what the calorie content was, since I bought it individually at a candy shop. Has anyone else done this? Should I feel bad? Thanks! (open RNY 7/23/02 -82 pounds)    — Shawnie S. (posted on November 7, 2002)

November 6, 2002
I eat sugar free hard candy.. I try to limit it to about 5-6 pieces a day... because too much of that sweetner will give me wicked gas and more... it seems to be ok for me... all things in moderation I think...
   — Lisa C.

November 6, 2002
alot of sugar free things have sugar alcohol which could make some people sick. I think if you were ok afterwards than it ok every now and then.
   — Debbie W.

November 6, 2002
Oh I know just what you mean about it tasting heavenly. I had my first peice of sugar free 'turtle' chocolate with pecans when I was 4 months post op. I remember how good it was. After I had eaten a few peices over the course of a few days, it didn't taste as good as that first peice...but still not bad. I have some once in a while but not often. The candy that I eat (russell stover sugar free turtles) still has 180 calories per serving, which is 2 peices...and they are not that big. Anyway, I agree, everything in moderation.
   — A. S.

November 6, 2002
Read the label--some act as laxatives---be very careful!
   — Linda L.

November 6, 2002
1 or 2 pieces at a time will not make you sick. Look for sugar alcohol content on the nutrition info label that is what can act as a laxative if you have too much of it. I have found that I can eat regular candies in very small quantities without any problem. I mean 1 or 2 of the hersheys miniatures will not make me dump. But if you have a tendency to be addicted to chocolate (like me...lol) best to stay away altogether. One of my favorite candies is the sugar free chocolate velamints....like a guilt free peppermint pattie!
   — SARose61

November 7, 2002
The only thing with Diabetic candy is that is usually has malitol, sorbital, or other sugar alcohols in them and can make you have diarrhea and stomach cramps, but everyone is different. Visit my profile page or www.freewebs.com/recipes-after-rny for other recipes you can make yourself using natural sugar. There's some sample recipes for peanut butter cookies and hot fudge pudding cake on the website.
   — Lynette B.

November 7, 2002
hi there! i from time to time, especially the once of month time, need something sweet. i have tried russel stovers pecan clusters and they taste sinful! :) i also like the sugar free jolly ranchers and the sugar free strawberries and cream life savers. i still dont do this alot as i still watch the carbs and calories but they sure taste good when you need to settle the sweet tooth. best of luck to you :)
   — carrie M.