Candy, non chocolate, sugar free
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a category of confectionery designed to mimic the sweet, satisfying experience of traditional candy without the sugar. It typically uses sugar alcohols like sorbitol or maltitol, or high-intensity sweeteners like sucralose, to achieve a sweet taste with a significant reduction in calories and carbohydrates. The texture can range from hard and crunchy to soft and chewy, depending on the specific product.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 100% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it as a guilt-free way to satisfy a sweet craving, especially for those managing diabetes or following a low-carb lifestyle. Its versatility in form—from gummy bears to hard drops—makes it a convenient and portable treat for many occasions.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is that sugar alcohols can have a laxative effect and cause digestive discomfort (bloating, gas) if consumed in large quantities. Some products may also have a noticeable aftertaste. To counteract this, start with a small portion (e.g., 1-2 pieces) to assess tolerance, and check the label for specific sugar alcohols like sorbitol or maltitol, which are more likely to cause issues than erythritol.
Key benefits
- Provides a sweet treat with significantly fewer calories than sugar-sweetened candy.
- Contains zero sugar and zero fat, making it a common choice for low-sugar or ketogenic diets.
- Does not promote dental cavities in the same way sugar does.
- Offers a wide variety of flavors and textures for dietary flexibility.
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The laxative effect of sugar alcohols is so well-known that it's sometimes humorously referred to as 'sugar-free candy stomach revenge' in online reviews.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 1.4 g |
| Energy | 394 kcal |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 98.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 0.00 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 0.00 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 0.00 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 0.00 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.00 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Oil, industrial, coconut, principal uses candy coatings, oil sprays, roasting nuts — USDA does not publish this profile for Candy.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is sugar-free candy actually calorie-free?
No. While it has far fewer calories than regular candy (this example has 394 kcal per 100g), it is not calorie-free. The calories come from the sugar alcohols or bulking agents used.
Can I eat as much as I want since it's sugar-free?
No. Overconsumption can lead to digestive issues due to sugar alcohols. It's also calorie-dense, so portion control is still important for weight management.
Is it safe for diabetics?
Generally, yes, as it doesn't cause the same blood sugar spike as regular sugar. However, individuals should always check the specific carbohydrate count and consult with their healthcare provider, as effects can vary.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.94 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.