Indulge Guilt-Free: Your Guide to Low-Carb Candy Options

For those embracing a ketogenic (keto) diet or simply aiming to reduce sugar intake, the good news is that satisfying your sweet tooth is still possible. While traditional candies are often laden with sugar, the market offers a variety of low-carb candy alternatives that align with your dietary goals. This article explores the world of low-carb candies, providing insights into keto-friendly ingredients, popular brands, and how to make informed choices.

Understanding the Keto Diet

The ketogenic diet revolves around minimizing carbohydrate intake and maximizing fat consumption. This metabolic shift induces a state of ketosis, where the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. As the body relies on fat metabolism, the liver produces ketones, including beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), acetoacetate, and acetone, which serve as alternative energy sources.

The keto diet can have positive impacts on your body, including:

• Weight Loss: By promoting fat-burning and reducing appetite.
• Improved Blood Sugar Control: By maintaining steady blood sugar levels.
• Lower Triglycerides: By pushing the body to burn stored triglycerides for energy.
• Increased HDL Cholesterol: Which can improve heart health.
• Benefits for Certain Cancers and Neurological Diseases: This diet can help alleviate symptoms of certain cancers like Glioblastoma and some neurological diseases like epilepsy and Alzheimer's.

Can You Eat Any Sweets on a Low-Carb Diet?

Yes, you can enjoy sweets even on a low-carb diet like Keto, but only sweets that contain low-carb ingredients, such as almond flour or coconut flour, and are sweetened with low-calorie sweeteners, such as stevia or erythritol.

Many low-carb diets, like Keto, limit the daily carb intake to 20-50 grams of net carbs. So, you should check the ingredients of the sweets carefully, and as long as they’re not high in carbs and calories, you can consume them, but in moderation.

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Homemade Low-Carb Candy Options

One of the best ways to control the ingredients and carb content of your sweets is to make them at home. Here are a few easy and affordable keto-friendly recipes:

Whipped Cream Desserts

Low-carb desserts with whipped cream are yummy snacks with about 3-5 grams of net carbs per cup, which makes them one of the best low-carb choices.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp sucralose
• A handful of berries
• 1-2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions:

1. Whip heavy cream until it thickens.
2. Sweeten it with sucralose.
3. Serve with berries or fold in unsweetened cocoa powder for a chocolate mousse.

Dairy-Free Creamy Desserts

If you’re avoiding dairy, desserts like chocolate coconut pudding are a good choice. Coconut milk has about 2 grams of net carbs per 1/2 cup, and unsweetened baking chocolate contains about 4 grams of net carbs per ounce.

Ingredients:

• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1 ounce unsweetened baking chocolate

Instructions:

1. Mix and simmer egg yolks and coconut milk in a saucepan until it’s thick.
2. Melt the dark chocolate and mix it with egg and milk.
3. Put the mixture in the refrigerator until set.

Homemade Low-Carb Ice Cream

Ice cream is one of the most delicious desserts everyone likes. You can make a low-carb ice cream with this easy recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of heavy whipped cream
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp sucralose
• 1 tbsp of chopped almonds (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix heavy whipped cream, eggs, and sucralose.
2. Add your favorite low-carb extracts or ingredients like almonds for flavor.
3. Put it in the freezer to set and harden.

Low-Carb Cookie Dough Fat Bombs

These cookie dough balls are a great low-carb source of energy. Each ball has just 1 gram of net carbs.

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Low-Carb Cheesecake

A low-carb cheesecake can be a great dessert because it’s based on low-carb cream cheese with 1-2 grams of carbohydrates per 2 tablespoons.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (about 1 cup) low-carb cream cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp sucralose
• A handful of fresh berries (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix cream cheese, eggs, and sucralose.
2. Pour the mixture into ramekins and bake.
3. Serve it with fresh berries.

Navigating Store-Bought Low-Carb Candies

If you prefer the convenience of store-bought candies, it’s essential to scrutinize nutrition labels and ingredient lists. Here's what to look for:

Understanding Sweeteners

• Sugar Alcohols: Erythritol, xylitol, and maltitol are common sugar substitutes. Erythritol is often favored due to its minimal impact on blood sugar and reduced risk of digestive issues. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that tastes very similar to regular sugar but has about 40% fewer calories. It has a low glycemic index, meaning it doesn’t raise blood sugar significantly, making it a safer choice for people with diabetes. Isomalt is made from beet sugar and is widely used in decorative sugar art, molded candies, and clear candy sculptures because of its glossy finish and stability.
• Natural Sweeteners: Stevia and monk fruit are plant-derived sweeteners that offer sweetness without the calories or blood sugar spikes. Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It contains zero calories and doesn’t affect blood sugar, making it suitable for people with diabetes or those on weight-loss plans. Monk fruit extract, also known as luo han guo, is a natural sweetener from Southeast Asia. It’s 150-200 times sweeter than sugar but has no calories and doesn’t raise blood sugar levels.
• Artificial Sweeteners: Aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose are intense sweeteners with virtually no calories.
• Novel Sweeteners: Allulose is a rare sugar found naturally in figs and raisins. It tastes almost identical to regular sugar but provides only about 10% of the calories. It doesn’t raise blood sugar or insulin levels, making it safe for diabetics.

What Candy Has the Lowest Carbohydrates?

Actually, there is no such thing as a real zero-carb candy. However, there are many low-carb candies that contain non-sugar sweeteners like stevia and erythritol, which are healthy sugar substitutes. The best option for the low-carb candy can be Stevita stevia-sweetened Keto hard candy, which has only 1.5 grams of carbs per piece.

What Is the Best Sugar-Free Candy to Eat?

Sugar-free candies have a lower impact on blood sugar levels because they are low in net carbs and use sweeteners like erythritol, stevia, and maltitol, instead of sugar, which provide sweetness and aren't absorbed by the body. Lily’s is one the best brands of sugar-free and low-carb candies.

The 10 Best Low-Carb Candies

If you’re looking for a low-carb candy, the most important thing you should focus on is the nutritional values and ingredients of the candy. Choose candies with minimal sugar content and opt for low-carb sweeteners such as erythritol or stevia instead of sugar. Also, they should contain fiber or fats to help you stabilize blood sugar levels.

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1. ChocZero White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups: It’s made from high-quality cocoa butter and is free from artificial sweeteners, soy, and palm oil.
2. Lily’s Dark Chocolate Covered Caramels: This candy offers bite-sized caramels covered in 55% dark chocolate and is sweetened with natural stevia and erythritol.
3. Go Better Keto Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Cups: These hazelnut butter cups have no preservatives and can be a good option for those who like to taste sweet low-carb candies.
4. Stevita Naturals Hard Candy: These Keto-friendly hard candies are available in cherry, grape, orange, and strawberry flavors and are free from gluten and common allergens. They are naturally sweetened with stevia and isomalt and perfect for Ketogenic diets.
5. Cocomels Coconut Milk Caramels in Sea Salt: These soft caramels are made with coconut cream and sweetened with allulose and monk fruit, which makes them suitable for Keto diets.
6. Dr. John’s Healthy Sweets Peppermint Hard Candy: This brand offers sugar-free peppermint candies and is sweetened with erythritol and xylitol, which make it a great low-carb option.
7. BHU Keto Truffle Fat Bombs: BHU Keto Truffle Fat Bombs are available in flavors like Double Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut, Mint, and Peanut Butter. They are a good choice for Keto dieters because they are certified organic, fitting within their daily carb limits.
8. Sweetwell Keto Chocolate Bites: These chocolate bites are Keto-friendly alternatives to sugary chocolate with nuts, which are also sweetened with stevia and are rich in natural fats from nuts, without artificial additives.

The 5 Best Low-Carb Chocolate Candies

Generally, regular chocolate can’t be a part of the Keto diet because of its high amounts of sugar and carbs. However, you can enjoy certain kinds of chocolate, like dark chocolate, but you shouldn’t consume too much. The right amount of it varies from person to person, so check nutrition labels and monitor your daily carb intake to stay on track with your Keto goals. The following brands of chocolate candies can fit into the Keto diet.

1. Kiss My Keto Dark Chocolate: This Keto chocolate brand offers only 1g of net carbs per 1 oz. serving.
2. Choc Zero Keto Chocolate Bark: This candy features various flavors in both milk and dark chocolate and contains high-quality ingredients, including Madagascar vanilla and premium chocolate liquor.
3. Lily's Creamy Milk Chocolate Bar: Lily's Keto-friendly creamy milk chocolate is made with cocoa butter, stevia, and erythritol and is one the best choices among low-carb chocolate candies.
4. Hershey’s Special Dark Zero Sugar Chocolate Candy Bars: Hershey's sugar-free and low-carb chocolate products are sweetened with maltitol, a sugar alcohol that may cause digestive issues only if consumed excessively.
5. Lakanto Sugar-Free Chocolate: Lakanto sweetens its sugar-free chocolate with monk fruit sweeteners and erythritol. It’s made with heirloom Arriba Nacional cacao beans and offers a unique taste.

The 5 Best Low-Carb Candies for Diabetics

Some low-carb candies are suitable for diabetics because they have low carbohydrates and are sweetened with healthy sugar substitutes, meaning they have little or no impact on blood sugar levels, which is important for diabetic patients.

1. Lily’s Sweet Fruity Friends Gummy Bears: Lily's sugar-free gummy bears are a diabetes-friendly alternative with no sugar or additional unhealthy ingredients.
2. High Key Chocolate Pearls: This sugar-free chocolate is a good alternative to M&M as it’s sweetened with erythritol and stevia.
3. Dr. John’s Healthy Sweets Sugar-Free Hard Candy: These candies come in delicious flavors like watermelon, strawberry, and green apple with no added sugar. Also, they contain low levels of carbohydrates, as they’re sweetened using xylitol, erythritol, and stevia, which help to maintain stable blood sugar levels and dental health.
4. Sugar-Free Reese's Mini Peanut Butter Cups: These butter cups are perfect for diabetics because of their low carbohydrates and zero sugar.
5. Zollipops Caramelz Clean Teeth Dark Chocolate

Please remember that just because they are low-carb doesn't mean you can consume them as much as you want. If consumed in excess, they may cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some people.

The 5 Best Low-Carb Caramel Candies

Low-carb caramel candies are good choices if you’re on a Keto diet because they contain ingredients like stevia. These substitutes minimize the carb content while providing a sweet caramel taste.

1. Tom & Jenny's Sugar-Free Candy: These candies align well with the Keto diet rules and help reduce acidity and tooth decay risk.
2. Tara’s All Natural Gourmet Caramel: These candies contain 20 ounces of caramel, made from a century-old recipe and have a rich flavor with no artificial additives.
3. Keto Wise Fat Bombs - Crispy Caramels: These fat bombs with caramel are made with chocolate containing MCT (Medium-chain triglycerides) oil for optimal Keto results.
4. Werther's Chewy Caramels Candies Original Sugar-Free: These creamy caramels are perfect as a Keto snack because they provide the delicious taste of caramel with zero sugar.

Atkins Diet Candy Options

If you have a hankering for a sweet treat but you’re following the Atkins 20, Atkins 40 or new Atkins 100 diet, never fear. You can stick to your low carb lifestyle and still enjoy the occasional dessert thanks to Atkins wide range of keto candy options. As a caveat, it’s important to remember that sweets should never replace whole food options such as veggies, protein, and healthy fats.

Chocolate Squares

Atkins recently introduced a new blend of chocolate squares. These decadent squares make a perfectly portioned on-the-go low carb candy. Atkins Milk Chocolate Caramel Squares, the original chocolate square, feature gooey caramel encased in creamy milk chocolate. One square has 1g of protein, 1g of sugar, 5g of fiber, 2g of net carbs, and 140 calories.

Chocolate Bars

Instead of heading to the vending machine, unwrap one of these chocolate bars. Atkins Caramel Nut Chew Bar is filled with caramel, peanuts, and nougat, and coated in chocolate. Each bar has 5g of protein, 1g of sugar, 6g of fiber, 2g of net carbs, and 130 calories. The tropical Atkins Chocolate Coconut Bar features moist coconut dunked in a thick layer of chocolate. Each treat contains 4g of protein, 1g of sugar, 9g of fiber, 2g of net carbs, and 170 calories. For a fluffier snack, opt for Atkins Chocolate Caramel Mousse Bar, which contains a chocolate mousse center, a layer of caramel, and a rich chocolate coating. Each bar features 3g of protein, 1g of sugar, 9g of fiber, 2g of net carbs, and 120 calories. Peanut lovers will go nuts for Atkins Peanut Caramel Cluster Bar. With a rich nougat center, caramel coating, and crunchy peanut toppings, one bar features 7g of protein, 1g of sugar, 6g of fiber, 3g of net carbs, and 140 calories. While not technically a chocolate bar, Atkins Nutty Fudge Brownie is sure to hit the spot for chocoholics. Bite into a chewy brownie filled with walnuts and topped with chocolate. Each brownie features 7g of protein, 0g of sugar, 6g of fiber, 2g of net carbs, and 170 calories.

Candy

Candy isn't entirely off limits on the Atkins diet. Enjoy bites of decadence with this delicious low carb candy. Atkins Chocolate Candies contain rich chocolate dipped in a candy shell. One serving contains 1g of protein, 1g of sugar, 4g of fiber, 1g of net carbs, and 110 calories. If you like your candy with a satisfying crunch, you may prefer Atkins Chocolate Peanut Candies. You’ll find 4g of protein, 1g of sugar, 2g of fiber, 1g of net carbs, and 150 calories per serving. Go gourmet with Atkins Pecan Caramel Clusters, made with caramel and real roasted pecans, and dipped in chocolate. One cluster features 1g of protein, 1g of sugar, 8g of fiber, 2g of net carbs, and 120 calories. Atkins Chocolate Covered Almonds are the perfect snack to stave off hunger. Enjoy fresh roasted almonds with the sweet taste of chocolate. One serving contains 3g of protein, 1g of sugar, 1g of fiber, 2g of net carbs, and 140 calories. Atkins Peanut Butter Cups-made with creamy milk chocolate and savory peanut butter-are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. One cup contains 2g of protein, 0g of sugar, 4g of fiber, 2g of net carbs, and 160 calories.

Sugar-Free Candy: What to Consider

Cutting sugar doesn’t mean sacrificing taste. To help you make healthier snacking choices, we’ve tested and selected the best sugar-free candy. The FDA defines sugar-free candy as any product with less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving. These candies may still contain calories from other ingredients, but only trace amounts of sugar.

Top Sugar-Free Candy Picks

• Jolly Rancher: Delivers bold, fruity flavors without the sugar.
• Werther’s Original: Captures the classic creamy caramel taste with a rich twist.
• Zollipops Sugar-Free Lollipops: Dentist-approved treat designed to support oral health.
• Altoids Arctic Wintergreen Sugar-Free Mints: Renowned for their intense, refreshing flavor.
• Life Savers: Sweet, fruity treat without added sugar.
• ChocZero’s Dark Chocolate Almond Keto Bark: Sugar-free treat made with 55% cacao, roasted almonds, and sea salt, sweetened naturally with monk fruit.
• Dr John’s Healthy Lollipops: Sugar-free, low-calorie candies made with natural sweeteners like erythritol, xylitol, and stevia.
• Trident’s Sugar-Free Chewing Gum: Helps freshen breath and support dental health.
• Assortit’s Sugar Free Cinnamon Hard Candy: Delivers a bold, fiery cinnamon flavor.
• Sunny Island Sugar-Free Fruit Jelly Candy: Soft, chewy, and fruity without being overly sweet.

Benefits of Sugar-Free Candy

• Blood Sugar Control: Helps manage cravings while keeping blood sugar stable.
• Lower Calorie Count: Can be a helpful alternative for weight management.
• Oral Health: Less likely to harm your teeth.

Key Considerations

• Digestive Tolerability: Overindulgence may cause bloating, gas, or diarrhea, especially with sugar alcohols.
• Nutritional Perks: Try sugar-free hard candy from brands like Dr. John’s.
• Dietary Needs: Choose sugar-free candies that fit your daily diet.

Low Carb and Sugar-Free Alternatives

Despite the many shapes, sizes, and flavours of candy out there - they are all pretty much made from one common ingredient: sugar. The good news is, there are lots of zero carb sugar substitutes out there that make sugar-free candy possible! Many sugar-free candies are sweetened with stevia, erythritol, or xylitol sweeteners instead of sugar, which do not spike blood sugar levels or count towards net carbs.

Can’t decide if you’re in the mood for something fruity, sour, or sweet? Why not have them all! With Jelly Belly’s new sugar-free jellybeans, you can enjoy all of the classic Jelly Belly flavours such as Very Cherry, Buttered Popcorn, and Juicy Pear without any of the added sugar. Sweetened with Splenda brand sweetener (maltitol), each package contains 40% less calories than the original version and just 3g of net carbs per serving (about 27 pieces). Cute, tasty, and addictively chewy, gummy bears aren’t just for the kids anymore.

SmartSweets was one of the first brands to innovate a line of candy that kicks sugar naturally. Their low sugar gummy candies are free from artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols that can cause digestive discomfort. They are also free from artificial flavours and colours, using non-GMO natural fruit extracts instead. Each package of SmartSweets gummy candies contains 5g or less of sugar, 120-130 calories, and 17g or more of added fibre! Kiss My Keto also offers keto-approved gummy bear candies made with MCT oil, a type of fat derived from coconuts that is easily absorbed and converted into ketones. These pre-portioned treats are perfect for busy days when you’re in the mood for something sweet but don’t want any of the guesswork involved in finding healthy, keto-friendly snacks. These gummies are sweetened with erythritol, a zero-carb natural sweetener that won’t spike blood glucose levels or knock you out of ketosis. They also contain prebiotic fibre from chicory root to keep you feeling full and promote healthy digestion. Aside from jelly beans and gummy bears, The Low Carb Grocery carries several other kinds of low carb and sugar-free candy! Find everything from sugar-free licorice and hard candies to Atkins diet candy and more! Browse sugar-free selections from classic candy brands including Russell Stover, LifeSavers, and Hershey’s and check out diet-friendly selections from low carb brands including no sugar added lollipops from KooChiKoo and low carb marshmallows from La Nouba. Jollies Sugar-Free Confectionery also offers a variety of low carb candies including sugar-free cola jelly, citrus chews, berry chews and marshmallows. Jollies candies are sweetened with maltitol syrup, which contains zero net carbs and half as many calories as regular sugar.

Sugar-Free Soda

Soda-drinking habits can be pretty hard to break. A sweet, bubbly beverage is the perfect accompaniment to any meal and all too easy to grab as an afternoon pick-me-up. Luckily, there are sugar-free sodas available that are a great alternative to regular sugar-laden soft drinks! They won’t spike blood sugar levels - the reason behind sugar crashes - and are a great choice for low carb, ketogenic, or diabetic diets. No matter what your favourite type of soda is - ginger ale, cola, root beer, grape soda, or orange pop - Zevia has a sugar-free version that you’ll love! All Zevia drinks are sweetened with stevia, which provides a delicious, sweet taste just like regular soda, but without the added carbs or calories from sugar.

Sugar-Free Chocolate

A low carb diet can’t stop chocolate lovers from indulging in their favourite treat! There are lots of sugar-free chocolate alternatives available that can easily replace your favourite candy bars. Healthsmart Chocorite offers a line of all-natural, sugar-free, reduced calorie chocolate bars sweetened with stevia and erythritol, which also makes them one of the best low carb chocolate to indulge on, even for diabetics! Each box comes with five individually wrapped chocolate bars. Lily’s keto-friendly chocolates have rightfully earned a huge cult following! These stevia- and erythritol-sweetened chocolates are made with premium cocoa and contain just 2-3g net carbs per serving. Plus, Lily’s also adds inulin to their chocolate bars, providing 10g of fibre per serving, too! Fibre promotes stable blood sugar levels, digestive regularity, and keeps you feeling full longer. Shop a variety of delicious flavours including blood orange, salted caramel, birthday cake, cookies and crème and more! Lily’s chocolates are also available in delectable chocolate snacks, such as chocolate peanut butter cups, and baking chocolate. Ross Chocolates are made by chocolate lovers for chocolate lovers. When the founder of Ross Chocolates was diagnosed with diabetes, he was determined to find a way to still enjoy his favourite sweet treat. Ross Chocolates taste like decadent, rich chocolate without any of the harmful effects that sugar can have for diabetics such as spiking blood sugar levels, exacerbating insulin resistance, and causing excessive weight gain. Plus, they also contain added fibre to help promote healthy blood sugar levels and reduce appetite.

Sugar-Free Caramel and Toffee

Caramel and toffee are traditionally pretty high in carbohydrates, made by slow cooking sugar with butter and sometimes flour. Luckily, there are sugar-free caramel and toffee alternatives that anyone following a carb-restricted diet can enjoy. Find sugar-free versions of your favourite brands of caramel and toffee including Werther’s Original and Russell Stover.

Keto-Friendly Ice Cream

Who would have thought that creamy low carb ice creams that also deliver on flavour and nutrition were possible? Enlightened keto-friendly ice creams contain zero added sugars and are formulated to meet ketogenic macronutrient targets. With just 1g of net carbs and 15-16g of fat per ½ cup serving, you can indulge in ice cream even on a carb-restricted diet! Unlike many other low carb or sugar-free ice creams, Enlightened keto-friendly ice creams are made with real cream, giving them the same delicious creaminess as regular ice cream. They are sweetened with natural sugar substitutes including erythritol and xylitol, which will not cause digestive upset like some artificial sweeteners. The best part? They come in all of the best ice cream parlor flavours!

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