Quick Answer
Russell Stover sugar free candy does contain some carbohydrates, but in very small amounts compared to regular candy. Most Russell Stover sugar free candies have less than 1-3 grams of net carbs per serving. So while not completely carb-free, Russell Stover’s sugar free offerings are very low in carbs compared to traditional candy.
Carb Counts in Popular Russell Stover Sugar Free Candies
| Candy | Net Carbs per Serving |
|---|---|
| Sugar Free Assorted Chocolates | 2g |
| Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups | 3g |
| Sugar Free Caramel Pieces | 1g |
| Sugar Free Pecan Delights | 2g |
| Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Truffles | 2g |
As you can see from the carb counts above, Russell Stover’s most popular sugar free candies contain only 1-3 grams of net carbs per serving. This is significantly less than traditional candy, which can have upwards of 30-60g of carbs per serving from added sugars. So while not completely carb-free, Russell Stover’s sugar free line is an excellent low carb option for those looking for sweet treats that fit into a keto or low carb diet.
Ingredients That Contribute to the Carb Count
The small amount of carbs in Russell Stover sugar free candies come from a couple of ingredients:
Sugar Alcohols
Most Russell Stover sugar free candies are sweetened with sugar alcohols like maltitol, sorbitol, and xylitol rather than sugar (sucrose). Sugar alcohols are low glycemic and contribute fewer carbs than regular sugar. Maltitol has a glycemic index of 36, sorbitol of 9, and xylitol of 13, compared to a GI of 65 for sucrose.
However, sugar alcohols are not completely carb-free and do contain some carbohydrates that get counted towards the net carb count. For example, maltitol contains 2.1 calories and 0.9 grams of carbs per gram, compared to 4 calories and 1g of carbs for sucrose. So sugar alcohols like maltitol reduce calories and carbs compared to sugar, but they are not zero-carb sweeteners.
Cocoa Powder
Many Russell Stover sugar free chocolates also contain unsweetened cocoa powder for flavor. Cocoa powder does contain a small amount of carbohydrates, around 1g per tablespoon. So the cocoa powder in sugar free chocolates like truffles and peanut butter cups adds a very small amount of carbs to the nutrition profile.
Are Russell Stover “Sugar Free” Candies Completely Carb-Free?
No, Russell Stover sugar free candies are not completely carb-free, they do contain trace amounts of carbohydrates. However, they minimize carbs by using sugar alcohol sweeteners instead of sugar.
Here’s an overview:
– Sugar free Russell Stover candies get their sweet taste mainly from sugar alcohols like maltitol, sorbitol, and xylitol. These sugar subs are lower carb than sugar, but not zero carb.
– Ingredients like cocoa powder also contribute trace carbs to the total carb count.
– The nutrition labels of Russell Stover sugar free candies list 1-3g of net carbs per serving. So while not completely carb-free, they are very low carb compared to regular candy.
– For people following keto or low carb diets, Russell Stover sugar free candies can be worked into their daily carb allotment in moderation. The very low carb count makes this doable.
So in summary – no, Russell Stover sugar free candies are not totally carb-free or zero-carb. But with only 1-3g of net carbs from sugar alcohols and cocoa powder, they are very low carb compared to regular candy and contain only minimal carbohydrates. This makes them a good occasional sweet treat option for low carb and keto dieters.
Glycemic Impact of Russell Stover Sugar Free Candies
The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of how quickly foods raise blood glucose levels. Foods with a high GI cause rapid spikes, while low GI foods cause a gradual rise.
Russell Stover sugar free candies have a low glycemic impact for the following reasons:
– Sugar alcohols like maltitol, sorbitol, and xylitol have lower GI values than sugar. Maltitol’s GI is 36, sorbitol is 9, and xylitol is 13.
– The total carb counts per serving are very low, with most Russell Stover sugar free candies containing just 1-3g of net carbs.
– The low carb counts paired with the slow digestion of sugar alcohols results in just a small, gradual rise in blood glucose rather than a rapid spike.
– For people with diabetes, small amounts of Russell Stover sugar free candies can be incorporated into a healthy low carb meal plan without significantly impacting blood sugar control. However, portion sizes should be kept in check.
So the glycemic impact of Russell Stover sugar free candies is considered low due to the low net carb amounts and slow digestion of sugar alcohols. The minimal carbs and low GI make these candies a better choice for diabetics than traditional candies with loads of sugar.
Net Carbs vs Total Carbs
When looking at the carb counts on Russell Stover sugar free candy labels, it’s important to distinguish between net carbs vs total carbs:
– Total carbs include all carbohydrates – sugars, sugar alcohols, fiber, etc.
– Net carbs are total carbs minus fiber and sugar alcohols.
– For Russell Stover sugar free candies, nearly all the carbs come from sugar alcohols. Fiber is negligible.
– So the total carbs and net carbs are very similar, since there is no fiber to deduct.
For example, Russell Stover Sugar Free Pecan Delights contain:
– Total Carbs: 3g
– Fiber: 0g
– Sugar Alcohol: 2g
– Net Carbs: 3g – 0g fiber – 2g sugar alcohol = 1g
So for Russell Stover sugar free products, total carbs and net carbs on the label are nearly identical. Pay attention to the net carbs amount for the most accurate representation of digestible carb content.
Hidden Sugars in Russell Stover Candies
When a food product is labeled as “sugar free”, this doesn’t necessarily mean it is completely free of all sugars. However, with Russell Stover sugar free candies, there are NO hidden sugars or added sugars that contribute to the carb content. These products live up to their name and are truly sugar free.
Here’s a breakdown:
– Russell Stover sugar free candies are sweetened using sugar alcohols, not added sugars like sucrose, dextrose, etc.
– They do not contain “hidden” sugars in the ingredient list. The only sweetening agents are sugar alcohols.
– On nutrition labels, the sugar count is 0g per serving for Russell Stover sugar free candies.
– All the minimal carbs come from sugar alcohols and cocoa powder, not from added sugars.
So Russell Stover’s sugar free candies contain no added sugars or “hidden” sugars. The carb content comes from sugar alcohol sweeteners and cocoa powder rather than added sugars. This makes them an excellent choice for people monitoring sugar intake.
Countering Laxative Effects
Some people experience digestive upset or laxative effects from sugar alcohols like maltitol, sorbitol, and xylitol in excess consumption. Here are some tips to help counter these effects:
– Start with small serving sizes and increase slowly to assess tolerance. Consume Russell Stover sugar free candies in moderation.
– Make sure to drink plenty of fluids. Adequate hydration helps reduce side effects.
– Consume candies alongside other foods as part of a meal or snack to slow absorption.
– Choose candies sweetened with xylitol when possible, as it is better tolerated than maltitol or sorbitol.
– If consuming maltitol-sweetened candies, opt for ones where maltitol is not the first ingredient.
– Slowly introduce sugar alcohols and monitor effects. Limit consumption if diarrhea or bloating occurs.
– Discuss severe side effects with your doctor and choose low-carb sweeteners that are better tolerated by your individual digestive system.
Best Practices When Choosing Sugar Free Candy
If you choose to enjoy sugar free candy, here are some best practices to follow:
– Read the ingredient list and nutrition facts. Make sure sugar alcohols, not added sugars, are the sweetening agents.
– Look for candies with low net carb counts (under 5g per serving ideally).
– Consume in moderation as part of an overall healthy low-carb diet. Don’t let sugar-free candies become free license to over-indulge.
– Be mindful of calories. Some sugar free candies are high in fat or calories.
– Watch added carbohydrates beyond just sugars, like corn syrups or starches.
– Consider glycemic impact and choose low GI options.
– Select options with naturally-sourced sweeteners when possible.
– Avoid sugar free candies with high amounts of hard-to-digest sugar alcohols.
– Stay hydrated and include fiber from whole foods to help minimize digestive issues.
Healthiest Sugar Free Candy Options
Here are some of the healthiest sugar free candy choices:
– Russell Stover or other sugar free chocolate made with high cocoa content and minimal sugar alcohols
– Jello brand sugar free pudding cups and gelatin desserts
– SmartSweets gummy candies sweetened with allulose and soluble corn fiber
– High-fiber, low net carb candy bars like BHU or Ugly bars made with soluble tapioca fiber, whey protein, and sugar alcohols
– Marky’s or other brand sugar free marshmallows made with stevia instead of sugar alcohols
– Sugar free mints and hard candies sweetened with xylitol, sorbitol, or stevia
– Homemade sugar free peanut butter cups with stevia-sweetened chocolate
– No-sugar-added ice pops made with unsweetened fruit
As a general rule, choose sugar free candies with more natural sweeteners, higher fiber, and lower net carbs for the healthiest options. Moderation and close attention to nutrition labels is key.
Can Diabetics Eat Russell Stover Sugar Free Candy?
In moderation, people with diabetes can incorporate small amounts of Russell Stover sugar free candies into their diet as an occasional treat. Here are some guidelines:
– Stick to very small serving sizes of 1-2 pieces, and limit higher carb candies.
– Avoid overindulging. Sugar free does not mean unlimited portions are okay.
– Time intake with meals and factor candies into daily carb limits.
– Look for options with low glycemic impact and natural sweeteners.
– Monitor blood sugar closely and discontinue use if levels spike.
– Consider sugar free mints or gum as a healthier candy alternative.
– Focus diet on whole, unprocessed foods and view sugar free candies as extras, not everyday items.
With prudent portion control and careful blood sugar monitoring, an occasional Russell Stover sugar free candy may be suitable in a diabetes diet. But moderation and attention to carb counts are vital.
Do Sugar Alcohols Raise Blood Sugar?
Sugar alcohols have minimal effects on blood sugar compared to regular sugar. However, they can raise blood glucose slightly in some instances:
– Maltitol has the greatest impact, with a glycemic index of 36. Glucose’s GI is 100 for comparison.
– Xylitol barely impacts blood sugar with a GI of just 7.
– Sorbitol falls in the middle with a GI of 9.
So sugar alcohols don’t spike blood sugar to the extent sucrose does. But the amount eaten and type used influences the glycemic response:
– Large amounts of maltitol may raise blood glucose more significantly.
– Xylitol has very little effect even in larger quantities.
– For diabetics, it’s best to consume sugar alcohol candies alongside a protein and fiber rich meal which helps dampen the glycemic response even further.
Overall, sugar alcohols cause a much lower rise in blood sugar than regular sugar, but they can still elicit a small glycemic response depending on the type and amount eaten. Moderation is key for diabetics.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Russell Stover sugar free candies do contain trace amounts of carbohydrates, primarily from sugar alcohols used to provide sweetness without sugar. Most Russell Stover sugar free offerings contain only 1-3g of net carbs per serving, making them a significantly lower carb option compared to traditional candies.
Consumed in moderation alongside an otherwise healthy low-carb diet, these sugar free treats can be incorporated into a keto or diabetic meal plan. But portions must be monitored and blood sugar closely watched by diabetics. While not completely carb-free, Russell Stover sugar free candies are very low glycemic impact options for an occasional sweet treat when carbohydrate counts are tightly controlled.
