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    • 18 hours, 55 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      Moderately. My doctor and pharmacy are awesome, my insurance and durable medical equipment supplier, not so much. The excessive red tape of paper to get DME supplies shipped is almost always a nightmare!
    • 19 hours, 1 minute ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      Run, don’t walk from Edgepark! Read my response to Nevin Bowman above! (Hint: the company I was referring to in that post was Edgepark)
    • 19 hours, 1 minute ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I once had a supplier withhold old pump supplies while refusing to ship the order for a new pump and I was on a 3-way call with insurance and got to listen to DME lie directly to Insurance about it and then I had the pleasure of interjecting and getting to call them a liar! I would have been more vindicated if it actually accomplished anything, but after I finally got my shipment I fired that DME and never looked back. The red tape that insurance insists on for DME is excessive for chronically ill patients!
    • 19 hours, 10 minutes ago
      kristina blake likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      After doing this weighing and measurements you get pretty good at estimating
    • 20 hours, 30 minutes ago
      Patricia Dalrymple likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      I chose "Often". If I eat something packaged with a nutrition label, I'll use the carbs listed on the label. If I eat a plate of food, at home or at a restaurant, I estimate.
    • 21 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      Been doing it for so long it's mostly estimation at this point. Every once in a while at home I'll measure out exact portions of rice, pasta, etc to remind myself just how SMALL portions should be as I tend to let them get a little bigger over time. (wishful thinking) Very helpful to have that image in mind at restaurants where portions tend to be way larger than a single serving.
    • 21 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      Yes, for me never weighing or measuring but actively using the Calorie King book and app for several years I have most things memorized or I can make a decent assessment.
    • 21 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      After doing this weighing and measurements you get pretty good at estimating
    • 21 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      I chose "Often". If I eat something packaged with a nutrition label, I'll use the carbs listed on the label. If I eat a plate of food, at home or at a restaurant, I estimate.
    • 22 hours, 37 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      I chose "Often". If I eat something packaged with a nutrition label, I'll use the carbs listed on the label. If I eat a plate of food, at home or at a restaurant, I estimate.
    • 23 hours, 17 minutes ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      Well, since I'm waiting on pump supplies for 2 months now, my confidence is slipping.
    • 23 hours, 17 minutes ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I am confident about access to my medical needs in the immediate future. I am not a fortune teller and have no idea what my access to medical supplies will be like in a year or longer. I don't take my spoiled lifestyle for granted.
    • 23 hours, 17 minutes ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I've often said that "hoarding": is a character asset for T1D people. I try to purchase (paying out of pocket) a 60-90 day supply - just in case). I have a new health plan,. effective 1/1/26. AS we know, getting an appt with an HCP isn't easy. They have to be accepting new patients, they have to be in network etc. Once I knew what my new policy would be (nov 2025) I made an appt. The earliest appt I could get was in Sept 2026. Thank goodness for my stash of device supplies. I had to go to Urgent care to get an Rx for insulin (my old HMO plan "doesn't do bridge refills"). So yeah, I worry, and plan for hiccups in the supplies process.
    • 23 hours, 24 minutes ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I am worried about the changes to Medicare making no provision for getting an immediate replacement if a pump fails. It sounds like we will have to get these from the suppliers instead of a warranty replacement from Tandem themselves (or whatever brand you use). Pumps will be rented and will have to be returned so they can verify the problem before replacing them, which is ridiculous. Meanwhile, Medicare would not pay for us to get long acting insulin as a temporary replacement for the basal.
    • 23 hours, 30 minutes ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      After doing this weighing and measurements you get pretty good at estimating
    • 23 hours, 34 minutes ago
      Derek West likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      I chose "Often". If I eat something packaged with a nutrition label, I'll use the carbs listed on the label. If I eat a plate of food, at home or at a restaurant, I estimate.
    • 1 day, 2 hours ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      So far since Jan 1, ‘26, I’ve spent nearly 30 hours on the phone battling and trying to get Medicare covered diabetes supplies. Called 5 different suppliers t get what I need to use my pump.
    • 1 day, 2 hours ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      You are too modest. That hurdle is on fire and you have to juggle chainsaws as you jump over it. Congratulations and good luck making it over the next one in 90 days.
    • 1 day, 15 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How satisfied are you with your current insulin pump brand/model?
      Somewhat satisfied with TSlimX2. Not because of pump shortcomings, but because of the sheer insanity of trying to get routine supplies through the American health care system. My current situation, to wit: "I am experiencing extreme frustration with Medicare that, 1) has an inoperable website, and 2) has an inoperable AI phone answering service. Consequently, I can no longer acquire needed supplies to operate the tSlimX2, particularly the T:Lock TruSteel 8mm 32.” This situation has persisted for 2 months. 😬
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      Kristi Warmecke likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      Well, since I'm waiting on pump supplies for 2 months now, my confidence is slipping.
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      Laurie B likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I've often said that "hoarding": is a character asset for T1D people. I try to purchase (paying out of pocket) a 60-90 day supply - just in case). I have a new health plan,. effective 1/1/26. AS we know, getting an appt with an HCP isn't easy. They have to be accepting new patients, they have to be in network etc. Once I knew what my new policy would be (nov 2025) I made an appt. The earliest appt I could get was in Sept 2026. Thank goodness for my stash of device supplies. I had to go to Urgent care to get an Rx for insulin (my old HMO plan "doesn't do bridge refills"). So yeah, I worry, and plan for hiccups in the supplies process.
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      Kristi Warmecke likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I answered slightly. I'm absolutely certain supplies and medication will be available. However, I'm doubtful they will be affordable. If I can't afford them, I can't access them.
    • 1 day, 18 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I am confident about access to my medical needs in the immediate future. I am not a fortune teller and have no idea what my access to medical supplies will be like in a year or longer. I don't take my spoiled lifestyle for granted.
    • 1 day, 18 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I've often said that "hoarding": is a character asset for T1D people. I try to purchase (paying out of pocket) a 60-90 day supply - just in case). I have a new health plan,. effective 1/1/26. AS we know, getting an appt with an HCP isn't easy. They have to be accepting new patients, they have to be in network etc. Once I knew what my new policy would be (nov 2025) I made an appt. The earliest appt I could get was in Sept 2026. Thank goodness for my stash of device supplies. I had to go to Urgent care to get an Rx for insulin (my old HMO plan "doesn't do bridge refills"). So yeah, I worry, and plan for hiccups in the supplies process.
    • 1 day, 18 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I answered slightly. I'm absolutely certain supplies and medication will be available. However, I'm doubtful they will be affordable. If I can't afford them, I can't access them.
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    Do you ever purchase candy labeled “sugar-free”?

    Home > LC Polls > Do you ever purchase candy labeled “sugar-free”?
    Previous

    If you use a CGM and share your real-time CGM data with other people, with whom have you shared your live CGM data? Select all that apply!

    Next

    If you use an insulin pump, on average, how often do you bolus an amount that is different from the suggested dose from the pump’s bolus calculator? (I.e., entering a number of insulin units without using the calculator at all, editing the bolus calculator’s suggested dose to be higher or lower, etc.)

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    46 Comments

    1. LizB

      I will sometimes buy sugar free hard candy or cough drops but that’s it. The sugar free versions usually have the same calories and often come with the added bonus of gastric distress. I did but sugar free chocolate once on purpose when I was constipated.

      4
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. ELYSSE HELLER

        I bet that got rid of your constipation.

        1
        4 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Britni

      I got really sick once when I was a kid from eating sugar free candy. The sugar substitute gave me gas and I was sick to my stomach for hours. It’s not worth it.

      5
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Joan Fray

      I buy sugar free gum, but not candy. Never liked the taste of it.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Nevin Bowman

      Never unless the carb content equals sugar-free. Many manufacturers do not understand that there are many types of sugars, and “sugar-free” candy often has more carbs than the regular type of candy!

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Lawrence S.

      NO! I avoid all foods that are labelled “sugar free”. I avoid all sugar substitutes. I tried Stevia, but did not care for the taste. I try not to eat artificial foods.
      I used to chew sugar free gum, until I read the ingredients. Now, I stay away from that as well.
      I try to eat as much natural food as possible.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Jane Cerullo

      Have tried sugar free chocolate. Has after taste to me. Not worth it to save a few carbs. I only like dark chocolate so lower in sugar.

      5
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Francisco Varea

      I used to, until I figured out that it is really not worth it. Now I just eat candy every once in a while and bolis for it.

      5
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. ELYSSE HELLER

      I did one in the past. Sugar-free still has carbs. I bought a bag of sugar-free Reese’s pieces once and it didn’t work out that well (it raised my BG). Now, if I really want something like that, I buy a SMALL piece of dark chocolate and spread a dab of peanut butter on it.

      5
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Melinda Lipe

      How about a frequently of rarely?

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Mary Dexter

      Sugar free candy usually has approximately the same amount of carbohydrates as regular and tastes horrid. Dove chocolate has 5g and I don’t feel like I am punishing myself.

      6
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. AnitaS

        I am not usually a lover of dark chocolate, but Dove dark chocolate is awesome. My father buys himself a bags of individually wrapped small pieces of dark chocolate and I occasionally steal a piece.

        1
        4 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Kathy Morison

      Buying sugarfree anything is usually sweetened with harmful artificial ingredients such as Sucralose, aspartame, Splenda or Equal. The body can’t assimilate the artificial chemicals and some can pass the brain barrier and cause neurological harm. Better to make sure it’s sweetened by Stevia or regular cane sugar with moderation.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Sherolyn Newell

      I used to always say nothing labelled sugar-free or low fat was allowed in my house, unless it came that way naturally. : )

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Anita Galliher

      I have not just a sweet tooth, but a whole mouthful of sweet teeth. So sometimes a couple pieces of Werther’s SF chewy caramels is just what I need to keep me on track.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Merry Woolsey

      Only sugar free cough drops by Ricola cough drops.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Natalie Daley

      If sugar-free mint Breathsavers can be called candy — I use them as my no smoking crutch and anti-anxiety pill. Otherwise a piece of dark regular chocolate is lovely.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Ernie Richmann

      Rarely

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Chip Brookes

      Sugar free candy upsets my stomach. Never buy it.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Steve Rumble

      I have purchased such candy in the past, but have not doe so for a long time as I decided it didn’t taste all that great, and so wasn’t worth it.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Ahh Life

      In the 1950’s, we though sugar-free candy was the greatest thing in the world. Then, we swallowed and tasted it. ◕︵◕ ༼▃ Ĺ̯ ▃༽

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Anthony Harder

      I haven’t bought “sugar free” candy in a long time. I don’t like the taste, texture, mouth feel. I really don’t crave sugary snacks. Salty is my weakness.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. E24murph@gmail.com

      People buy it for me though. Just buy me the regular stuff please. LOL

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. mbulzomi@optonline.net

      There’s no such thing as “Sugar Free”. Although it may not contain “Sugar” it’s not carb free (most everything turns to glucose), in some products it has more carbs that regular candy/cookies etc. and has more sodium to make the product taste better.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Christina Trudo

      No, but I have been given it as a gift, also cookies etc. I have found that the sweeteners commonly used give me diarrhea. Also they are not low carb, and for the lesser flavor (and little nutritional value) I don’t consider them a wise choice.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. MARIE

      Lily’s chocolate.

      3
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. Liz Avery

      Well meaning friends sometimes give me some, but they cause digestive issues and are not that low in carbs.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. Amy Malliett

      Not anymore!! I learned that lesson the hard way, many years ago. I much prefer natural food, and would rather dose for an occasional treat, than consume all the chemicals and sugar alcohols.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. kristina blake

      I don’t have a sweet tooth – at all really. I do like dark chocolate on occasion. I will buy a “real” chocolate bar and have one square, it takes me about two weeks to eat the entire bar. I have found – out of curiousity, that the “sugarfree items have more carbs per serving than the “real” items. And the sugarfree ones are a lot more expensive.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. AnitaS

        I have found sugar free ones have less carbs but not really that much less to make a difference.

        4 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. Wanda Rose

      No because i avoid artificial sweeteners

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. Becky Hertz

      I have in the past, rarely, but haven’t in at least 15-20 years or more.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    30. BOB FISK

      I don’t purchase candy or baked items marked with Sugar Free because they invariably use an alcohol sugar or a higher fat level to boost the taste left wanting by omitting the sugar. Reduced Sugar is often even worse, as the reduction is not that much. I do occasionally eat reduced sugar ice cream, as only added sugar is eliminated. Lactose is still there to provide sweetness. Of course, these are not carb-free, so you have to read the label carefully.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. ConnieT1D62

        Yes, reading labels is important. Just because a product says “sugar free” doesn’t mean it is carb free. And a lot of the sugar substitute chemical ingredients cause GI distress.

        1
        4 years ago Log in to Reply
    31. mojoseje

      Only sugar-free gum. I don’t eat candy unless I’m having low bg. Sugar-free candy has a bitter aftertaste to me.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    32. Sherrie Johnson

      I had saccharin overload as a kid As an adult I avoid chemicals

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    33. PamK

      I don’t eat candy/cake/food products that are labeled “sugar-free” often, because the sweeteners cause digestive issues if I eat too much. I do eat them occaisionally though.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    34. Dianne Mattiace

      No, but my family always does and gives to me.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    35. PamK

      If you have experienced diabetes stigma, in what situations has it happened? (Select all that apply.)
      • At school with peers/classmates
      • At school with teachers or people of authority
      • At work with peers
      • At work with supervisors/managers
      know well
      • In a social situation with friends or people I regularly spend time with
      • In a social situation with a romantic partner
      • In a social situation with my family
      • In a healthcare context with a healthcare provider

      Unfortunately, I missed this question because I was not at home, and could not access it. So, I copied it, along with the answers that have applied to me, here. I hope you can still count it!

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    36. AnitaS

      I buy some delicious “sugar-free” chocolates at a store about an hour away from me when I am out that way. I know it is technically “no sugar added” and not actually sugar free since some of these chocolates have raisins in them, but they are very good. I sometimes like to treat myself to a piece of chocolate when having a cup of coffee.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    37. Bekki Weston

      No, I only buy “quality” dark chocolate, usually 72% or more. Theo, out of Seattle is good. I also search “chocolate near me” when traveling, and got some wonderful items at Jean-Marie Auboine in Las Vegas.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    38. ConnieT1D62

      Yuck! No! For many of the reasons mentioned by others – weird aftertaste, GI distress, not carb free, extra expense, unnatural ingredients that the body cannot metabolize.

      When I crave some chocolate I eat the real deal in sensible moderation and bolus for it. I love a good milk or dark chocolate with almonds or hazelnuts as an occasional treat. Aldi’s has an excellent selection of real deal chocolates with carb/protein/fat content listings for each portion.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    39. Patricia Dalrymple

      There is a reason the question has sugar free in quotes. No such thing. But nice try. Now, do away with it!

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    40. persevereT1D52

      Yuck. If I’m going to eat candy I eat the real thing and adjust pump accordingly. Then I enjoy every bite. That’s one of the benefits of all these frat tools available now!

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    41. Tb-well

      I think this and the rest of the review for the candy describe accurately why I will deal with increased glucose before eating sugar alcohol having sugar free candy.
      https://www.amazon.com/review/R2JGNJ5ZPJT4YC

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    42. Cheryl Seibert

      The label ‘sugar free’ is dangerous and misleading to diabetics and should not be allowed. I do purchase candy/ice cream/snacks that are low in carbs (by my determination NOT the marketing label) on rare occasions. I closely check the nutrition label for Total Carbs and compare it to the ‘regular’ version of the food. My opinion, is Net Carbs is another way to sell high carbs foods as ‘healthier’. Also misleading and dangerous. Never believe labeling that says ‘sugar free’, ‘diabetic safe’ or ‘low calorie’. Always check the nutrition label for ingredients and true total carb count

      4 years ago Log in to Reply

    Do you ever purchase candy labeled “sugar-free”? Cancel reply

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