Delicious & Sugar-Free Candies for 2021
| BY NEAL ROTHSTEIN
As we attempt to come out of the unprecedented global pandemic of 2020 & 2021, more and more people have started to really think about their health. From diet, exercise, washing your hands and keeping your surroundings sanitary, people are becoming more health-conscious than ever before. One type of product we’ve seen a massive increase in interest for recently is sugar-free candies.
Thinking back to when we were kids, there definitely was a time when sugar-free candy ultimately meant it was going to be a huge disappointment. However, with the massive spike in interest of “healthy snacking” a sort of renaissance in healthy candy has begun to sprout. Whether your customers are diabetic, or they’re just trying to eat healthy by making simple changes to their diet, sugar-free products might be exactly what they’re looking for.
Carrying sugar free products allows you to offer diverse options for your customers, which will be good for your bottom line. Who knows, you might even get the people who are on a strict diet to come into your candy store. And when they do, you can help them find a delicious treat to satisfy their sweet tooth!
From vegan candy, gluten-free and non-GMO sweets, to organic sugar-free chocolate chip cookies, there are some great options to satisfy your sweet tooth these days. And all without cheating on your diet. Many of these offer a great alternative to refined sugar products, but when you’re concerned about your diet, there are some other important factors to consider after checking the nutrition facts label.
A few things you should know about candy that uses a sugar substitute.
While it definitely doesn’t hurt to be more health-conscious with your eating habits, eating sugar-free candy is not going to solve every dietary issue for everyone. Many people think that they can eat more candy, if it’s free from refined sugar or it uses a sugar substitute. But eating more candy might end up defeating the purpose. Diabetics may ignore the carbohydrate impact of sugar-free candies and be surprised when their blood sugar rises unexpectedly. Some sugar substitutes, (like maltitol) can create some unpleasant digestive side effects as well. So it’s a good idea to be aware of the other health impacts a sugar-free candy might have.
Take these factors into consideration:
Calories: Sugar-free doesn’t necessarily mean zero calories.
Fat: Many sugar-free candy still contains fat, which is a major source of calories.
Carbohydrates: Carbs are still present in sugar-free candies, so it is important to always check the label and be mindful of what you’re eating.
Sugar Alcohol: Many products use this as an alternative sweetener in their candy. While some artificial sweeteners like saccharin and aspartame have zero calories, sugar alcohol can contain about 2.6 calories per gram.
So, while you take all of this into account, the long story short version is that sugar-free candy does not mean you can eat an unlimited amount of candy. Wouldn’t that be nice, though?
You should also consider the fact that all types of candy can increase your overall blood sugar, especially when portion control and carbohydrate intake are not taken into account. If you eat a lot of candy and you’re simply trying to cut down on your sugar intake, switching to sugar free candy may help you gain a better control over your diet.
In 2021, many of the sugar-free candies won’t leave you missing the added sugar at all.
In recent years, there has been a huge push by manufacturers to offer sugar-free options to their product lineups. These selections deliver a lot of options that are still delicious! We’ve curated a list of some of our favorite sugar-free alternatives offered by Redstone Foods. These products range from name brands you already know and love, to some other quality manufacturers that you might not have heard of, but we guarantee they’re awesome.
1. Asher’s Sugar-Free Milk & Dark Chocolate Assortment
This box of chocolates is sure to make everyone really happy. This sugar free chocolate assortment helps you enjoy a variety of your favorite chocolate treats, without even a gram of sugar in the entire box. You can order these here.
2. Jelly Belly Sugar Free Sours
We all love Jelly Belly jelly beans and with a sugar-free variety, everyone wins! The sugar-free sours are sure to be a hit with all sour candy enthusiasts. These have 28% fewer calories than their regular jelly beans. Order these here.
3. Werther’s Original Sugar-Free Caramel
Somehow, the folks at Werther’s Original figured out how to make their irresistible sweet and creamy hard candies taste just as good, without all the sugar! You can order these from our website here.
4. Asher’s Sugarfree Peppermint Patties
Making the company’s second appearance on our list, Asher’s sugar-free peppermint patties are a cooling, delicious treat that uses the natural sweetness of mint. A great snack for the sugar-conscious individual, they also make a great after-dinner mint. You can order these here.
5. Chick-O-Stick Sugar-Free Nuggets
Atkinson’s really knocked it out of the park with their Chick-O-Stick crunchy peanut butter & coconut candy! It’s a little sweet, a little salty and a whole lot of crunchy! You can order these from our website, here.
6. Coffee Rio Sugar Free Premium Coffee Candy
These coffee-flavored soft and chewy caramels are lovingly crafted from pure, premium ingredients. These make a delicious sweet treat for anyone who enjoys coffee, caramel, or caramel coffee! Order these here.
7. Taffy Town Assorted Sugar Free Taffy Mix
What would a list of the best sugar-free candy be without taffy? We’re not monsters! Each piece of this taffy comes wrapped in Taffy Town’s signature wax wrapper in our bulk offering. This delicious sugar-free option has the same great flavor of their regular taffy, but with half the fat! Order in bulk here.
8. Hotlix Pops Sugar Free Scorpion Suckers
And finally to round out the list might be something you didn’t expect. The Scorpion Suckers from Hotlix Pops features a real scorpion, inside a sugar free hard candy, on a stick… You’ll cringe with delight at these unique sugar free treats! Order online here.
Redstone Foods is proud to offer a wide variety of products to cater to a diverse customer base. If you have any questions on what to order, how much, or even when you should order, we are always here to help you. Create an account with us today, or give us a call if you have any questions!
