Sugar-free does not mean calorie-free, so if you're trying to lose weight, take a close look at the labels on sugar-free products. Taking the sugar out of soda can drop the calories in a can to zero, but taking the sugar out of chocolates may make little difference. That's because candies may contain several ingredients besides sugar that contribute to the overall calorie count.
Considerations
For diabetics and others who must watch their sugar intake, sugar-free candies can provide a tasty treat without harming their health. However, if losing weight is your main goal, check the nutrition label on the candy to find out how many calories are contained in each serving. Compare that amount to what you'll find in the regular version of the product, and see if the difference in calories makes up for the difference in taste. Some people don't like the taste of artificial sweeteners, and labels on some sugar-free candies warn consumers that they may experience a laxative effect if they're sensitive to sugar substitutes.
Sugar Substitutes
Artificial sweeteners can pack 100 times the sweetening power of regular sugar, so only small amounts are needed. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved five artificial sweeteners for use in candy and other foods: acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, sucralose and neotame. They're sold under a variety of brand names, such as Nutrasweet, Equal, Sweet'N Low and Splenda. All but aspartame cannot be broken down by the body, so the sugar substitutes pass through the digestive system without leaving any calories behind.
Chocolates
The Hershey Company makes a sugar-free version of its popular York Peppermint Patties, and the label reveals a serving of 37 g contains 120 calories. The regular version lists sugar as its main ingredient on the label, but a typical serving of 39 g contains 140 calories --- only a bit more than the sugar-free alternative. Many chocolates and chocolate bars contain ingredients, such as peanuts and fats, that add to the calorie count.
Other Candies
You might save more calories by choosing other sugar-free candies. For example, a regular Jolly Rancher hard candy contains about 4 calories per gram, so a serving of three candies will give you 70 calories. If you opt for the sugar-free version, you can enjoy four pieces for 35 calories. That amounts to about 2 calories per gram, or roughly half the amount of calories. If you put a sugar-free marshmallow Peep in your basket instead of the sugary version, you also can cut the calories by about half.
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