Reese’s is one of the most popular candy brands in the United States, known for their iconic peanut butter cups. However, with rising rates of diabetes and obesity, many people are looking to cut back on sugar. This leads to an important question – does Reese’s offer any sugar free options?
A Brief History of Reese’s
Reese’s was founded in 1923 by Harry Burnett Reese. Originally the company only made peanut butter cups by hand in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were created in 1928 and quickly became the company’s most popular product.
In 1963, the Hershey Company acquired Reese’s. This allowed Reese’s to leverage Hershey’s resources to expand distribution and grow on a national scale. Today, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are the top selling candy brand in the United States, with over $2 billion in annual sales.
Reese’s Product Line Overview
While Reese’s is best known for their peanut butter cups, the company offers a wide variety of candies and treats:
– Peanut Butter Cups – The classic peanut butter and chocolate cups come in different sizes and varieties. Popular versions include Reese’s Miniatures, Reese’s Pieces, Reese’s Big Cups, and Reese’s Outrageous.
– Reese’s Sticks – These are peanut butter cups shaped like sticks for easy snacking.
– Reese’s Chips – Thin, crunchy chips made with peanut butter and chocolate.
– Reese’s Puffs – This sweetened peanut butter cereal is made with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup morsels.
– Reese’s Spread – Peanut butter spreads for dipping fruits, pretzels or graham crackers.
– Seasonal candies – Reese’s offers special editions for holidays like Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter. These often have colored shells or are shaped like eggs or trees.
– Ice cream – Reese’s makes a peanut butter cup ice cream loaded with chopped peanut butter cups.
– No sugar added – Reese’s has a line of no sugar added peanut butter cups.
Do Any Reese’s Products Contain No Sugar?
Yes, Reese’s does make select products that are no sugar added. In 2007, Reese’s introduced a line called Reese’s No Sugar Added Peanut Butter Cups. These contain no sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners.
The no sugar added Reese’s cups are sweetened using maltitol syrup, which is a natural sugar alcohol derived from corn. Maltitol has about 75% of the sweetness of regular sugar but contains fewer calories. Reese’s uses maltitol syrup instead of sugar to reduce the carbohydrate and calorie content.
In addition to the classic peanut butter cup form, Reese’s also makes no sugar added versions of:
– Reese’s Pieces
– Reese’s Big Cups
– Reese’s Outrageous Bars
– Reese’s Minis
– Reese’s White Chocolate Cups
So while the majority of Reese’s candies do contain regular sugar, they offer a decent range of popular no sugar added options.
Nutrition Info on Reese’s No Sugar Added Products
Here is a nutrition comparison of Reese’s original peanut butter cups versus the no sugar added version:
| Nutrition Facts | Original (1 cup) | No Sugar Added (1 cup) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 210 | 200 |
| Total Fat | 12g | 12g |
| Carbs | 21g | 14g |
| Sugar | 20g | 1g |
| Protein | 3g | 3g |
The no sugar added version reduces the carbohydrates and sugar significantly by using maltitol instead of sugar. However, the calorie and fat content remains similar.
So while the no sugar added Reese’s are lower in sugar and carbs, they still need to be eaten in moderation due to the high fat and calorie content primarily from the chocolate and peanut butter. The maltitol may also cause digestive issues in some people when consumed excessively.
Glycemic Index and Impact on Blood Sugar
The glycemic index (GI) measures how quickly foods raise blood sugar levels. Foods with a high GI cause rapid spikes, while low GI foods cause a more gradual rise.
Regular Reese’s peanut butter cups have a high glycemic index of 77. This is due to their high sugar content. The rapid absorption of sugar causes a spike in blood glucose.
In contrast, Reese’s no sugar added has a GI of only 27. This very low index means it has a minimal impact on blood sugar. The maltitol functions similarly to fiber, slowing digestion and absorption.
For people with diabetes or insulin resistance, the no sugar added version will be a better choice that won’t affect blood sugar control. Those without blood sugar concerns can still enjoy regular Reese’s in moderation.
Ingredients in Reese’s No Sugar Added Products
Reese’s no sugar added peanut butter cups contain:
– Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, nonfat milk, milk fat, lactose, soy lecithin, PGPR)
– Peanut butter (roasted peanuts, sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oil, salt)
– Maltitol syrup
– Palm oil
– Artificial flavor
– TBHQ (preservative)
– Soy lecithin
The main changes from the original ingredients are:
– Sugar is removed
– Maltitol syrup is added
– Palm oil is added, likely to replace some cocoa butter for cost savings
– TBHQ preservative replaces vanilla
While the no sugar added version eliminates plain sugar, keep in mind it still contains other controversial ingredients like hydrogenated oil and artificial flavors. It also swaps out real vanilla for the preservative TBHQ.
Taste and Texture Comparison
Most reviewers say the no sugar added Reese’s have a very similar taste and texture to the original. The chocolate coating and peanut butter filling taste nearly identical.
Without concentrated sugar, the no sugar added version is slightly less sweet. But the maltitol does a good job replicating sweetness while keeping calories in check.
The ingredients change does result in slightly different texture. Some describe the no sugar added filling as a bit drier and chalkier. The chocolate shell may also be a little harder and melt more slowly. But overall, the differences are subtle.
Given the significant reduction in sugar and carbs, most feel the tiny sacrifice in texture is worth it. No sugar added Reese’s remain deliciously satisfying.
Availability of No Sugar Added Reese’s
Reese’s no sugar added candies are widely available at most major grocery stores and mass retailers. They are easy to find year round, unlike some seasonal items.
Stores that carry no sugar added Reese’s include:
– Walmart
– Target
– Kroger
– Publix
– Albertsons
– Safeway
– H-E-B
– Meijer
– Ralphs
The cups come in standard single serving packs along with larger bags for parties and events. You can typically find them in the regular candy aisle alongside regular Reese’s.
Online retailers like Amazon also sell no sugar added Reese’s cups in bulk cases for extra savings.
No Sugar Added Reese’s for Diabetics
For people with diabetes, regular Reese’s can be problematic due to the high carb and sugar content. The no sugar added version is a much better option.
With a low glycemic index of 27, they only cause a gradual rise in blood glucose instead of spiking it rapidly. The maltitol sweetener contains about half the calories and carbs of sugar.
In moderation, no sugar added Reese’s can be incorporated as an occasional treat in a diabetic diet:
– Keep portions small, 1-2 cups maximum
– Still contains some carbs, so pair with protein or fat
– Don’t consume daily or in large amounts
– Monitor blood sugar response
Overall, no sugar added Reese’s are suitable for diabetics in reasonable portions as part of a balanced diet. They provide a healthier way to satisfy peanut butter and chocolate cravings.
Baking and Recipe Substitutions
The no sugar added version cannot be substituted directly for regular Reese’s in recipes. Since it uses maltitol instead of plain sugar, the texture, moisture and sweetness will differ.
However, no sugar added Reese’s can be adapted in recipes calling for sugar free chocolate and peanut butter. Some recipe modifications may include:
– Add extra liquid to account for drier texture
– Supplement with alternative sugar free sweeteners
– Adjust cooking time and temperature
– Use no sugar added chocolate chips instead of regular
– Replace regular peanut butter with reduced sugar natural peanut butter
With testing and adjustments, no sugar added Reese’s can be used successfully in sugar free dessert recipes like cakes, cookies, brownies and more.
Cost Comparison to Regular Reese’s
One downside to the no sugar added Reese’s is the price. They typically cost 20-30% more than comparable regular Reese’s products:
| Product | Regular Price | No Sugar Added Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 oz Cups (4 cups) | $1.09 | $1.48 |
| 10.1 oz Bag (18 cups) | $5.48 | $6.98 |
| 16 oz Big Cup | $4.09 | $4.99 |
The increased cost is due to:
– More expensive ingredients like maltitol
– Lower overall sales volume
– Specialized production runs
For people who only consume them occasionally, the extra cost may be justified. But for regular consumption, the price difference could add up.
Reviews of No Sugar Added Reese’s
Most customer reviews of Reese’s no sugar added are positive. Here are some common pros and cons mentioned:
Pros:
– Almost identical taste to regular
– Great for curbing sugar cravings
– Don’t affect blood sugar as drastically
– Perfect portion control
– Excellent alternative for diabetics
Cons:
– Texture is slightly drier and chalkier
– Not as sweet as regular version
– Can cause digestive issues if overeaten
– More expensive than regular Reese’s
– Some don’t like aftertaste of maltitol
Overall, most agree no sugar added Reese’s offer a delicious way to cut sugar and carbs without sacrificing much taste. While not 100% identical to original, they come very close for a fraction of the sugar.
Reese’s Sugar Free Syrup
In addition to candy, Reese’s makes a sugar free syrup perfect for coffee, milkshakes and more. It contains zero sugar and is sweetened with sucralose.
The ingredients are:
– Water
– Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate
– Natural and artificial flavors
– Cellulose gum
– Salt
– Acesulfame potassium
– Sucralose
– Soy lecithin
– Preservatives
– Artificial color
Per 2 tbsp serving, there are:
– 15 calories
– 0g fat
– 1g net carbs
– 0g sugar
– 0g protein
Reese’s sugar free syrup allows you to get the peanut butter and chocolate taste without any of the sugar. It can be used to flavor desserts, yogurt, oatmeal and more as well.
Sugar Free Butterfinger
Butterfinger is another popular candy bar owned by Ferrara Candy Company. Like Reese’s, Butterfinger offers a no sugar added variety.
Butterfinger NSA bars contain maltitol and have 70% less sugar than regular Butterfinger. Per bar calories and fat are similar, but carbs drop from 31g to 16g.
So for fans of both Butterfinger and Reese’s, the sugar free options let you enjoy both guilt-free!
Sugar Free Reese’s Baking Chips
Lily’s Sweets Stevia Sweetened Semisweet Chocolate Chips are dairy free, gluten free and sugar free. They are sweetened with stevia.
You can use these chips along with no sugar added peanut butter to make homemade Reese’s style cookies, fudge, confections and more!
Conclusion
Reese’s no sugar added line provides delicious options for reducing sugar and carb intake. While not exactly the same, the taste is very close and the nutrition profile much improved. By swapping sugar for maltitol, calories, carbs and glycemic impact are significantly decreased.
No sugar added Reese’s open up America’s favorite chocolate and peanut butter candy to those limiting sugar for health, weight loss or diabetes control. With just small taste and texture tradeoffs, anyone watching their diet can still satisfy cravings for Reese’s.
While pricier than regular Reese’s, for occasional indulgences the no sugar added version is worthwhile. Thanks to Reese’s offering these products, peanut butter and chocolate lovers don’t have to give up enjoying candy altogether. Consumed in moderation, no sugar added Reese’s can be part of a balanced diet.
