6 Zero & Low-Calorie Candies You Need to Try!
We’ve all sneaked a cupcake, secretly snacked on a chocolate bar, or simply downed a bag of candy at some point while on a diet. And, with the holidays approaching, the temptation to stay away from sweet foods will be stronger than ever. So, how can you keep your hunger at bay?
Some zero or low-calorie candies you can try are chewing gums, jelly beans, Project 7 gummies, Peppermint Patties, Jolly Rancher Hard Candy and Darrell Lea Soft Australian Made Licorice.
Whatever is your reason for craving sweets, here is a list of all candies worth trying. In this article, I’ve uncovered sweet foods in a variety of categories to help you minimize your sugar intake. You’ll also find alternatives to your favorite sweets, as well as a variety of options that could make any candy envious.
List of Low-Calorie Candies
PUR Chewing Gum
If you experience a sugary snack craving in the middle of the day, opt for a stick of sugar-free gum. PUR chewing gums are available in various flavors that are extracted from natural sources. They don’t include Aspartame or any other artificial sweetener. In addition, PUR contributes to promoting a healthier lifestyle by avoiding making GMO products that are at the same time vegan and keto-friendly.
One serving (two chewing gums) contains only 5 calories.
Project 7 Gummies
If you love eating gummy bears, Project 7 candies will be the perfect snack for you. One bag contains only 6 grams of carbs and 60 calories, which means they are low-calorie candy that you can eat the whole bag without worrying about.
Some other features worth mentioning are that Project 7 Gummies are keto-friendly, plant-based, and vegan. However, if sour fruit candies don’t suit your taste buds, maybe you should skip them.
Black Forest Jelly Beans
Jelly beans are a tasty snack that can be enjoyed at any time of the year. They are a great snack because it doesn’t matter which flavor is your favorite. You can find them all. Various flavors in small pieces of jelly beans.
Black Forest jelly bean company can satisfy your sweet tooth with small candy bears and one serving has only 70 calories.
Peppermint Patties
Peppermint Patties are those candies that divide the world in two; you can either love them or hate them. If you are on the side that loves the combination of mint and chocolate, you will definitely enjoy this low-calorie candy.
You will taste mild mint covered in rich dark chocolate. Each serving is individually wrapped and has 50 calories.
Jolly Rancher Hard Candy
If gummy bears are not your cup of tea, sugar-free hard candy, such as Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, might be your choice. For calorie-conscious candy fans who would prefer something fresher, sugar-free mints are another great low-calorie candy option.
If you take four pieces, you will intake 35 calories. You can eat these low-calorie hard candies at work, while walking, or anytime that suits you. It is worth mentioning that they are aspartame-free which makes them even better.
They come in watermelon, apple, grape and raspberry flavor.
Darrell Lea Soft Australian Made Licorice
While licorice definitely isn’t for everyone, even skeptics may be surprised by how delicious Darrell Lea Black Soft Australian Made Licorice is. This Australian candy delicacy has been created from natural licorice root in a process devoid of palm oil, preservatives, GMOs, and high-fructose corn syrup, and is both kosher and vegetarian.
What Is the Alternative?
Fruit is probably the most natural alternative to candy. Fruit cravings are a normal and response to your body’s demand for water or even vitamins and nutrients [1], and it knows where to look for them. Fruit also promotes electrolyte balance and even aids hydration when consumed. So, the next time you crave chocolate, try eating kiwi, apple, blueberries, or watermelon instead!
Chocolate is another guilty pleasure responsible for a sugar rush, which can cause unbalanced hunger and make you lose focus on your diet. However, you don’t have to give up chocolate completely! Instead of consuming milky chocolate bars full of unnecessary calories, opt for dark chocolate, which contains as many cocoa beans as possible—bars with 85% cocoa are probably the best option. [2] Alternatively, you can eat carob or sprinkle unsweetened cocoa powder on greek yogurt.
If you want to make sure your snack is as good as possible, you can make your own sweets at home, following sugar-free recipes that can easily be found online. To keep your blood sugar stable and enhance the beneficial nutrients you’re getting along with the carbs, calories, and fat, look for those recipes that include whole grains, nuts, or dried fruit, or add them to the recipe on your own.
However, the most obvious but harsh solution is to wean yourself off candies. The body is simply not wired to consume candy and pastries daily because they fool our brains into thinking we need to look for energy-rich food items.
The adage goes that “If you aren’t hungry enough to eat a raw apple, you aren’t really hungry.” If you really do have a need for snacks, either because you are feeling light-headed, or have just done some strenuous activity, find some other kind of food that actually provides what your body needs.
So, forgo the candy and opt for a snack that combines sweetness with other nutritious nutrients like fiber or protein. For example, you can pair strawberries with a piece of dark chocolate, or spread peanut butter on apple slices.
Finally, keep in mind that sugar-free and low-calorie candies are best consumed in moderation.
What Sweetener Is in Sugar-free Candy?
Since it has been invented, sugar-free confectionery has provided folks with a sweet tooth a false sense of security.
Sugar-free chocolates are sweetened with artificial sweeteners or sugar replacements rather than actual sugar. They usually include fewer carbs and calories than ordinary candy, but only by a small amount. The important thing to remember is that sugar-free does not equal carbohydrate-free, so if you’re watching your carbs or calories, be careful not to overdo it.
Some sugar substitutes you can see on candy labels are saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose, [3] which are calorie-free and carb-free. Some other alternatives are erythritol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, and sorbitol.
Another popular sweetener is stevia, which is a non-alcohol, non-artificial sugar substitute made from the leaf of a sweet plant native to Brazil and Paraguay. For ages, people have used stevia leaves to sweeten food and drinks and as herbal supplements. It is now widely used as a sugar substitute in everyday items such as tea, candy, soy sauce, and soft beverages.
Before diving into the nutritional details, please review our Nutritional Disclaimer page for important context and clarifications.
