Question:
Sugar-free candy and snacks

I am 2 months post-op and would like some ideas for *yummy* sugar-free or low sugar candies. Pre-op I was a major candy addict and find myself craving sugar. I know i don't really dump unless it is more than 15 grams, and i don't want to test my limits. I have lost 45 pounds so far. (that is good, right? sometimes i need the support!:) I want to continue to do well, and am a little upset that I don't dump since i was so fond of sweets. I don't want to be a failure in the long run, since WLS is only a tool. Do you have any ideas? The asperatime in sugar-free icecream/yogurt makes me get the "dumping" symptoms. Thanks! :)    — Lezlie Y. (posted on July 29, 2002)

July 28, 2002
Russel Stover has some sugar free (sugar alchol) candies that are expensive but great tasting. But they are VERY high in fat and calories. Also Sweet N Low has a GREAT tasting hard candy.... I believe it is lemon, orange, grape and strawberry. They are around $1.12 a bag at Walmart. I'm not sure if it is again, Sweet N Low, but at Walmart there are some sugar free peppermint patties. They are alittle more expensive... around $1.50 a small bag? I'm almost 15 months post op and I did the low or no sugar thing for many months. IT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT. However, I'm getting so I eat a lower sugar candy (regular) like the Planters Peanut Peanut Bar. One bar has 13 grams of sugar (I try to stay around 12 grams). Also a Kit Kat has around 18 grams. In any case, half a bar satisfies me MOST of the time. Technicially sugar free is best. So you have the right idea. ;)
   — Danmark

July 29, 2002
Equal makes some good little sugar free hard candies and those sweet and low ones are good too (coffee flavors, fruit flavors, mint chocolate chip) Life Saver also has really tasty sf butterscotch candies. Blue Bunny fat free, no sugar added fudge bars are yummy! Once in a while I'll have some Nibs black licorice (not sugar free, but they are so flavorful that a few go a long way for me.) A trick of mine is that I buy cranberry juice (not cocktail) and add a little bit to ice water. It tastes good and I don't EVEN want to have anything sweet when I'm drinking that 'cause it would taste gross.
   — Carolynn J.

July 29, 2002
Have I got a fantastic web site for you. it is www.perfectlysweet.com they have sugar free everything, we have tried thier ketchup, bbq sauce, and hard candies, not to mention they sugar free jelly belly's ( my favorite ) it is relly worth checking out. everthing so far has been yummy :)
   — domestic G.

July 29, 2002
Kelly, thanks for the link! They have some awesome stuff there, but much to high in price. However I'm so hungry for honey that I'd almost kill for it. That may be worth getting. Anyway, I've bookmarked the link!
   — Danmark

July 29, 2002
Warning about sugar free stuff, especially candies. There are some that while I don't having dumping with them, I do suffer really painful and prolonged gas. I believe it's caused by the type of artificial sweeteners. I now stay away from anything with artificial sweeteners except an occasional Crystal Light. I use fruit for my sweet tooth and make do. I did start eating Balance Gold nurtition bars at about 8 months post-op. They have a little sugar, but no artificial sweeteners. I believe for me, artficial sweeteners also stimulate my appetite and cause my ankles to swell...this may not happen to anyone else, but it seems to be my lot in life. Still all this is a very small price to pay to finally be at an idea weight for the first itme in my life. Hope you have good luck. If you do decide totry sugar free deserts, here is a website with lots of recipes...http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/vbowen2/index.html and you can also try www.splenda.com
   — Teri D.

July 29, 2002
Watch out for sorbitol as a sweetner. This is the meanest, most notorious gas-producer in all candy-land.
   — Loricat