Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community 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 Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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
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.
I bet that got rid of your constipation.
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.
I buy sugar free gum, but not candy. Never liked the taste of it.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
How about a frequently of rarely?
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.
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.
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.
I used to always say nothing labelled sugar-free or low fat was allowed in my house, unless it came that way naturally. : )
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.
Only sugar free cough drops by Ricola cough drops.
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.
Rarely
Sugar free candy upsets my stomach. Never buy it.
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.
In the 1950’s, we though sugar-free candy was the greatest thing in the world. Then, we swallowed and tasted it. ◕︵◕ ༼▃ Ĺ̯ ▃༽
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.
People buy it for me though. Just buy me the regular stuff please. LOL
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.
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.
Lily’s chocolate.
Well meaning friends sometimes give me some, but they cause digestive issues and are not that low in carbs.
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.
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.
I have found sugar free ones have less carbs but not really that much less to make a difference.
No because i avoid artificial sweeteners
I have in the past, rarely, but haven’t in at least 15-20 years or more.
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.
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.
Only sugar-free gum. I don’t eat candy unless I’m having low bg. Sugar-free candy has a bitter aftertaste to me.
I had saccharin overload as a kid As an adult I avoid chemicals
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.
No, but my family always does and gives to me.
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!
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.
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.
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.
There is a reason the question has sugar free in quotes. No such thing. But nice try. Now, do away with it!
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!
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
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