Question:
Any decent candy substitutes?

I have a serious sweet tooth- not so much for chocolate, but for the really sugary stuff like gummy bears and Starbursts and things like that. I'm still pre-op, but supposing I have problems with sugar, has anyone found a good substitute or sugar free candy that might satisfy my cravings? Thanks!    — Jessica B. (posted on April 29, 2003)


April 29, 2003
Hi, I am 3 months post-op and I still crave sugar at times, but I eat only the suger-free stuff now. But of course I sneak a bite here or there of regular sweets too, I just watch my limit on what too eat and not to eat. To answer your question though, Walmart sells suger-free reeses peanut butter cups now in the little bags and the hershey's miniture candy bars. They are really good, you need to watch the fat intake though, because you will dump if you consume to many of course. Also there are some websites that has different sugar-free recipes for desserts and other stuff, i can't remember the names of them, but just type in sugar-free recipes on www.yahoo.com under search and it will give you some names of different websites to go too. Hope this was somewhat helpful to you. Good luck on your surgery.
   — Melodee S.

April 29, 2003
I use to go to the Bulk Stores to buy candy and chocolate, but they got pricey. Now I buy all my sugar free candy from Walgreens. Another suggestion is the protien bars, I get some that are so sweet that I have to take a few bites at a time. Good luck!
   — Sandy M.

April 29, 2003
Based on the struggles I see around here all the time, and on my own struggles with sugar (which I never much cared about as a pre-op, but I sure do now!), I'd urge you to focus more on how to re-train your snacking habits towards proteins when you become a post-op. It's just soooo much easier. Sugar-substitute snacks, even if sugar free, simply trigger the desire for sugar. Sugar and sugar-free stuff will always be there, and always be a temptation, and it's normal to have a little bit of it, *but,* many folks find that just substituting sugar-free snacks for sugar doesn't really work very well, especially when you're many months post-op. Plus, many RNYers never dump; others quit dumping when they're a year or more out; you just can't be sure where you'll fall on the spectrum, so try to start thinking "protein" for your snacks.
   — Suzy C.

April 29, 2003
I know it is hard to imagine your life without candy right now but you should really try!!! It is so hard to get in your protein in the first few months as a post op adding candy to it sugar free or otherwise will not allow you to get in your much needed protein. Your taste buds just might change after surgery too. I was a sugar freak before WLS and I have not had any yet. I have tried a few sugar free things but in small amounts since most have sugar alcohol and can make you very sick. My point is focus on how your life is about to change by exercising, cutting back on portions, and giving up sugar NOW!!!!! It will make things so much easier for you in the long run Good luck to you. Wendi Open RNY 9/19/02 down 117lbs.
   — lovemonterey

April 29, 2003
I think its great you are thinking of ways to replace your habits now. Good looking ahead! Although many people can just give up things, and I have given up some bad eating habits- heck I had so many I couldn't give them all up! lol I was a big sugar addict (I'm now a year post-op and at goal) as well and now find that some fresh fruit helps alot. I will eat 2 strawberries and 1 serving of whip cream (only has 1 sugar gram, 15 calories and 1 fat gram!) and it fixes my craving, plus I am getting in fruit. Ofcourse, lke the previous posters said, in the beginning its so hard to get in enough protein and water, you won't even think of eating other stuff, but eventually you will. And if you're lucky, you will dump, so you will only be able to have 1 starburst instead of the whole pack. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.

April 29, 2003
My REAL recommendation is DON'T DO IT! Don't even try it, it's a slippery slope! But if you're compelled, I recommend: Sugar-free Reeses Peanut Butter Minatures. Sugar-free Klondike ice cream, I like the sandwiches! Russell Stover Toffee Chips. Lifesaver's hard candies. Jelly Belly has sugar-free, but I haven't tried them. Good Luck!
   — jen41766

April 29, 2003
I got way too attached to s/f gummies made by Pure DeLite. I never even liked real gummies. Don't know why these got to me. Golightly made a chewy fruity thing awhile back. I'm more of a chocolate person. The only one that calls my name now is Doctor's Diet CarbRite bars. The dark tastes like the finest chocolate I've ever had. There's a new one (2, actually) that's milk chocolate with crispies, like a Nestle Crunch, and one with nuts. There's also white (ehhhhh, wagglig fingers), dark with mint, and plain milk choc. The milk chocs just taste like a Hershey bar to me, and that never tempted me much.
   — vitalady

April 30, 2003
Hi, I too was more of a fruity kinda gal!! Still am. I enjoy s/f strawberry creamsavers and s/f jolly ranchers. I can eat some candy without dumping, my limit is about 18 grams, I think. I have not had any problems with the s/f candy, and it more than satisfies me. There are alot of choices out there nowadays too. I work in a hospital where it is always really dry and I can't snack on protein products while I'm taking care of my patients, but I can however have a piece of hard candy to help with the dryness. I was constantly having to get a drink of water in between pt.s before, and that's just not a possiblity all of the time and is very time consuming. Good luck.
   — Terri Z.

April 30, 2003
Ther are now a lot of SF subs and more coming out all the time..but remember sugar free is not calorie free! I go caught in that trap. Staying around 1000 cal a day 8 mos pos op i realized that between the sf candy and sf fudgesicles I was adding another 500 cals to my day, no wonder I was on a plateau! Russell Stover SF Ch mint patties are the gretest thing this sideof heaven!
   — Amy G.

May 1, 2003
Ok....Had to answer this one...I missed banana splits so much...Here is my answer...One half banana, Three "small' scoops of Edy's no sugar added ice cream, Melt 2 squares of hersey's new s/f semi sweet chocolate pour over one scoop, on another scoop put fresh pineapple, and a teaspoon of s/f strawberry jam on the other top with redi whip and nuts. I allow myself one a month just to curtail my craving. Plus I can never eat the whole thing so my husband helps....he likes to help on this.
   — Oldsoul

May 1, 2003
Pure DeLite candy is the best! They make a caramel bar that is to die for! I've noticed that in sugar free candies, the caramels are the best! Fannie May...yum, yum! I have to limit myself to only getting some Fannie May when I go to an out of town mall. Hometown mall is not allowed anymore! You definitely do want to limit the candies though. Save it for holidays or special occasions. Trust me, the candy critters, be they with or without sugar, can be killer!
   — Anna L.

May 2, 2003
I'm addicted to root beer floats! It's gotta be Diet A&W rootbeer and either Velvet brand or Pierre's Slender vanilla ice cream! I just made some phenomenal peanut brittle (the recipe is in a book you can get by clicking on my profile page or visiting www.freewebs.com/recipes-after-rny) or email me privately and I will send you the recipe for it. It's good crumbled on top of ice cream too!
   — Lynette B.

May 5, 2003
You might want to check out www.perfectlysweet.com, but WARNING!!...It could be addictive and please watch for the different kinds of "ose" and especially those with aspartame. I found some goodies, but after thinking about it, right now wouldn't be a good idea for me...I'm still headstrong on reaching my goal(s). Best wishes to you! LAP RNY 9/3/02 265/160/125-115~~~Hadiyah McCutcheon, a.k.a.~~
   — yourdivaness




Click Here to Return
×