Russell Stover is a popular brand of boxed chocolates and candy known for its assortment of sugar free chocolates. For people with diabetes, enjoying sweet treats like chocolate can be difficult due to dietary restrictions. Sugar free or diabetic chocolate provides an option for people with diabetes to indulge in chocolate within reason. This article will examine whether Russell Stover sugar free chocolates are a good choice for diabetics.
What Makes Russell Stover Sugar Free Chocolate Diabetic-Friendly?
Russell Stover’s sugar free chocolates are sweetened with sugar alternatives like maltitol and sucralose rather than regular sugar. This makes them lower in carbohydrates and sugars than regular milk or dark chocolate. Most Russell Stover sugar free chocolates contain about 5-15 grams of net carbs per serving, whereas regular chocolate often has around 20-30 grams of net carbs per serving. The lower carb and sugar content allows people with diabetes to enjoy a sweet treat while better managing their blood sugar levels.
In addition to being lower in carbs and sugar, Russell Stover’s sugar free chocolates do not lead to sharp spikes in blood glucose levels like regular chocolate might. The sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners used in place of sugar are absorbed more slowly and do not cause rapid rises in blood sugar. This helps prevent blood sugar crashes and instability.
Nutrition Facts of Russell Stover Sugar Free Chocolates
Here is a look at the nutrition facts for some popular Russell Stover sugar free chocolate options:
| Chocolate Type | Serving Size | Total Carbs | Sugar Alcohols | Net Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Free Dark Chocolate | 3 pieces (28g) | 16g | 11g | 5g |
| Sugar Free Milk Chocolate | 5 pieces (30g) | 18g | 13g | 5g |
| Sugar Free Nut Cluster | 1 piece (28g) | 15g | 10g | 5g |
As you can see, the net carb counts for these chocolates are significantly lower than regular chocolate. This makes it easier for people with diabetes to work these treats into their meal plans.
Benefits of Sugar Free Chocolate for Diabetics
Here are some of the key benefits that sugar free chocolate like Russell Stover can provide for people with diabetes:
Blood Sugar Control
The main benefit of sugar free chocolate is better blood sugar control. Consuming carbohydrates and sugar causes blood glucose to rise. Eating regular chocolate results in blood sugar spikes and fluctuations, which can be dangerous for diabetics. Sugar free chocolate has a much gentler impact on blood sugar since it is lower in carbs and sugar overall. This allows diabetics to satisfy their sweet tooth without severely impacting blood glucose levels.
Reduced Glycemic Impact
Related to blood sugar control, sugar free chocolate has a lower glycemic impact than regular chocolate. The glycemic index measures how quickly foods cause increases in blood sugar. Foods with a high glycemic index cause rapid spikes, while foods with a low glycemic index result in gradual rises in blood glucose. Most sugar free chocolates have a low glycemic impact, meaning they will not drastically spike blood sugar. This helps stabilize blood glucose levels.
Less Risk of Overeating
One problem diabetics can face with regular chocolate is overeating due to cravings and blood sugar crashes. When blood sugar spikes then drops rapidly after eating chocolate, it intensifies chocolate cravings. This makes it harder to stop eating after a small serving. With sugar free chocolate, this is less of an issue. The stabilized blood sugar reduces cravings, lowering the risk of accidentally overeating high-carb chocolate.
Provides a Sweet Treat Option
Eliminating all sweets and desserts can make managing diabetes feel restrictive and stressful. Having options like sugar free chocolate allows diabetics to still enjoy a sweet snack or treat without guilt. This can help improve quality of life and make sticking to a diabetic diet easier.
Can Be Part of a Balanced Diet
When consumed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diabetes diet, sugar free chocolate can be a responsible choice. Diabetics do not have to fully avoid sweets if they are mindful of portions and incorporate treats into their recommended meal plan. Sugar free chocolate gives diabetics more options to work with.
Downsides of Sugar Free Chocolate for Diabetics
While sugar free chocolate has some benefits for diabetics, there are some potential downsides to consider as well:
May Cause Digestive Issues
The sugar alcohols used to replace sugar in sugar free chocolate can sometimes cause digestive upset, especially in large amounts. Symptoms like gas, bloating, and diarrhea are common. Those who are sensitive to sugar alcohols may experience stomach discomfort from overconsuming sugar free chocolate.
Provides Less Nutritional Value
Regular dark chocolate provides some antioxidants, minerals like iron and magnesium, and fiber. In sugar free chocolate, some of these nutrients are lost or reduced. While sugar free chocolate fits into a diabetic diet better, it may not offer the same nutritional benefits of regular chocolate.
Higher in Fat
To compensate for the lack of sugar, some sugar free chocolates boost fat content to improve texture and taste. This can result in sugar free chocolate having more saturated fat than regular chocolate. Those at risk for heart disease need to be mindful of this.
May Trigger Cravings for Sweets
While sugar free chocolate may help curb sugar cravings in the short term, it can reinforce cravings for sweets long term. Relying on sugar free chocolate too often may make it harder to break free from sweets cravings. Moderation is key.
Not Necessarily Calorie-Free
Sugar free chocolate is often lower in calories than regular chocolate, but it is not always low-calorie or calorie-free. Oils, nuts, and other ingredients still provide calories. Portion control remains important for weight management.
Tips for Incorporating Sugar Free Chocolate Into a Diabetic Diet
Here are some tips for diabetics on how to healthfully incorporate sugar free chocolate like Russell Stover into their diet:
Practice Portion Control
Read serving sizes carefully and stick to a reasonable portion, even if the chocolate is sugar free. For example, 1-2 pieces is often a good serving size. Don’t overdo it just because it’s lower carb.
Watch the Fat Content
Compare brands and choose options made with healthy fats like nuts if possible. Avoid sugar free chocolates with trans fats or large amounts of saturated fat.
Pair with Protein or Healthy Fats
Eat sugar free chocolate with nuts, seeds, peanut butter, cheese, or other protein sources to balance out the glycemic impact. The protein helps control blood sugar response.
Account for Net Carbs
Look at net carb counts rather than just total carbs. The sugar alcohols should be subtracted from total carbs for a more realistic count.
Save for Occasional Treat
Make sugar free chocolate an occasional treat rather than an everyday indulgence. Diets should still emphasize healthy whole foods as the primary source of nutrition.
Drink Water After Eating
Staying hydrated can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Drink water after eating sugar free chocolate to prevent spikes.
Check Blood Sugar
Monitor your blood glucose levels about 1-2 hours after eating sugar free chocolate to be sure it’s not causing spikes outside the normal range. Adjust portions if needed.
Are Russell Stover Sugar Free Chocolates Good Choices?
Overall, Russell Stover makes some good sugar free chocolate options that can fit into a diabetic diet in moderation. Here is how some of their top sugar free products stack up:
Russell Stover Sugar Free Milk Chocolate
This classic milk chocolate contains maltitol and sucralose instead of sugar. With just 5g net carbs per serving, it’s a solid option for diabetics craving milky, sweet chocolate. Fat and calorie content is on par with regular milk chocolate. Enjoy a couple of pieces at a time. May cause mild digestive side effects if overeaten.
Russell Stover Sugar Free Dark Chocolate
Also containing maltitol and sucralose, this dark chocolate has a rich cocoa flavor. It only has 5g net carbs per serving. The darker cocoa provides some antioxidants as well. A tasty choice for dark chocolate lovers that won’t spike blood sugar much.
Russell Stover Sugar Free Caramel
These caramels are sweetened with maltitol and sucralose. Each caramel has just 1g net carb and 70 calories, making portion control easy. They offer the chewy caramel fix many crave without skyrocketing blood sugar. May be easy to overeat due to small individually wrapped pieces.
Russell Stover Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups
These classic peanut butter cups have 5g net carbs and 80 calories per cup. They provide the chocolate-peanut butter combo in a diabetic-friendly form. Be mindful of total fat intake, as these are high in saturated fat. Overall a good occasional treat.
Russell Stover Sugar Free Coconut Clusters
These crunchy, coconut-covered clusters contain sugar alcohols and soluble corn fiber to reduce net carbs to 5g per piece. The added fiber helps slow sugar absorption. Fat content is a bit high, but the plant-based fat is healthier. Nice texture and coconut flavor.
Conclusion
Russell Stover offers a variety of sugar free chocolates that can be incorporated into a diabetic diet in moderation. The sugar free options result in fewer blood sugar spikes compared to regular chocolate. However, portion control remains important, as they can still be easy to overeat. Diabetics should balance consumption of sugar free chocolate with an overall eating pattern focused on healthy whole foods, proteins and vegetables to manage blood sugar and weight. When used responsibly as an occasional treat, Russell Stover’s chocolate provides diabetics a way to satisfy sweet cravings without severely impacting blood glucose control. Just be mindful of total carb, sugar alcohol, and saturated fat intake.
