You might be someone with a penchant for sweetness but concerned about the potential laxative effects of regular candy.
Fortunately, you can opt for alternatives that satisfy your sweet tooth without worrying about digestive discomfort.
Sugar-free candies utilize natural sweeteners like erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit extract. These alternatives can offer the sweetness you crave without causing gastrointestinal issues.
Stick around to learn more about the best sugar-free candy that doesn’t cause diarrhea.
Why Sugar-Free Candy Causes Diarrhea
When we indulge in a sweet treat like sugar-free candy, we often do so to reduce our sugar intake. These candies use sugar substitutes or artificial sweeteners to provide that sweet flavor. But here's the catch: many sugar-free products contain a group of sweeteners known as sugar alcohols.
Sugar alcohols, like xylitol, erythritol, and mannitol, are commonly used as sugar substitutes in sugar-free candies. They taste sweet but have fewer calories and don't raise blood sugar levels as much as regular sugar.
The trouble is that our bodies don't fully absorb sugar alcohols in the small intestine. Instead, they travel to the large intestine, where they're fermented by gut bacteria. This fermentation process can lead to excess gas production and, you guessed it, diarrhea.
As with any food, moderation is crucial, and if you notice digestive issues after enjoying sugar-free candies or other sugar-free products, it might be worth cutting back or exploring other sweetener alternatives.
What to Check
The first thing you’ll want to check is the ingredients list for sugar alcoholics. While most cause digestive issues in excessive amounts, others produce fewer side effects.
Sorbitol
In this case, it’s sorbitol. One of the notable characteristics of sorbitol is its relative sweetness compared to regular sugar.
It has only about 50 percent of the sweetness of sugar. In turn, you need to use approximately twice as much sorbitol to achieve a similar level of sweetness in a product.
While sorbitol can still cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some individuals, it is generally considered to have less of a tendency to cause diarrhea compared to another sugar alcohol called mannitol.
The reason behind this is that sorbitol is absorbed more slowly in the small intestine, allowing the body more time to handle it efficiently.
Erythritol
Erythritol is less likely to cause diarrhea when consumed in reasonable quantities. The compound is absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestine before reaching the large intestine.
Unlike other sugar alcohols, it doesn't undergo significant fermentation by gut bacteria in the colon. Erythritol is rapidly filtered by the kidneys and excreted unchanged through urine.
This efficient excretion process further prevents the buildup of erythritol in the digestive system, reducing the likelihood of gastrointestinal discomfort.
Xylitol
Xylitol is generally well-tolerated by most people when consumed in moderate amounts. That said, consumers need to exercise caution and not exceed the recommended intake of 30 to 40 grams of this sugar-free candy.
Overall, you need to consider the amount of sugar-free candy eaten. Keep your portions controlled to avoid digestive issues.
Top 10 Sugar-Free Candy That Won’t Cause Diarrhea
Check out below the top sugar-free candy recommendations that offer delightful sweetness without any worries about diarrhea.
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2. High Key Chocolate Pearls
High Key Chocolate Pearls are the healthier version of M&Ms. They're sweetened with erythritol and stevia, making them easy on the digestive tract.
In addition to being vegan and keto-friendly, High Key Chocolate Pearls often boast a delicious and rich chocolate flavor.
Whether eaten on their own, added to trail mixes, or sprinkled on top of desserts, these chocolate pearls offer a satisfying and guilt-free treat.
3. Dr. John's Healthy Sweets Sugar-Free Chocolate Oval Lollipops
Rather than find candy that doesn’t induce diarrhea, you can opt for Dr. John’s Chocolate Oval Lollipops, which ease digestion. Thanks to dextrin in its ingredient list, it absorbs water in the intestines, making stools less watery and more formed.
The chocolate lollipops are sweetened with xylitol and erythritol. The combination of these natural sweeteners provides a delightful sweetness without the guilt of regular sugar.
Not only do they taste delicious, but they also offer a more tooth-friendly choice, making them a perfect guilt-free indulgence.
4. Lakanto Sugar-Free Chocolate Truffles
Lakanto’s sugar-free chocolate truffles use erythritol and monk fruit extract as a sugar substitute. Unlike other sugar alcohols, such as mannitol, erythritol is known for causing significantly less digestive discomfort and diarrhea.
Meanwhile, Monk fruit is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the monk fruit plant. They’re typically made with high-quality cocoa, which gives them a rich and indulgent chocolate flavor.
The use of monk fruit extract as a sweetener allows these truffles to be enjoyed by people following a ketogenic diet, those with diabetes, or anyone looking to reduce their sugar intake.
5. Eda’s Sugar-Free Mixed Fruit Hard Candy
Eda’s sugar-free treats provide a delightful burst of sweetness without the added calories or impact on blood sugar levels.
The candies have a pleasing texture and a longer-lasting quality, making them a convenient and enjoyable snack throughout the day.
A bonus is the wide range of fruity flavors available to suit all tastes. That said, the sugar-free hard candy is sweetened with sorbitol. It’s generally more tolerable and is less likely to cause digestive discomfort or issues when consumed in moderation.
6. DC24 Chewing Gum
The DC24 sugar-free gum is lower in calories with 30% erythritol and has a refreshingly sweet and cool taste thanks to xylitol. It’s Non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan-friendly.
On top of that, it's dental-friendly, and the on-the-go pack contains 240-1.5g gums in 4 bottles. Plus, DC24’s sugar-free chewing gum has a range of mouthwatering options to choose from, including spearmint, peppermint, fresh fruit, and watermelon.
7. SNØ KETO Xylitol Candy Chips
The SNØ Cinnamon KETO Xylitol Candy Chips contain only two ingredients, Birch Xylitol and Natural Flavor.
These candy chips offer a wide array of flavors to tickle your taste buds. From refreshing watermelon, spearmint, and peppermint to a tropical mix that transports you to a paradise of flavors, there's something for everyone.
Craving something tangy? Try lemon or strawberry! For a little spice, cinnamon and wintergreen have got you covered. And if you're a fan of fruity sweetness, black cherry and blue raspberry will not disappoint.
8. ChocZero Sugar-Free Caramels
ChocZero’s keto caramels with sea salt are sweetened with monk fruit, so no sugar content worries here – and no sugar alcohols like maltitol or xylitol either.
Each no sugar added caramel candy piece is individually wrapped, making them perfect for your healthy lifestyle on the go. These low-carb caramels aren't just for snacking. You can bake with them or melt them into a classic salted caramel sauce.
Consequently, you can treat yourself to ChocZero's sugar-free caramel candy without worrying about weight gain or digestive side effects
9. Lily’s Chocolate
Lily’s chocolate bars are sweetened with around 5g of erythritol per serving. It's best to stick to the recommended daily intake of erythritol, which is typically about 1 gram per kilogram of body weight.
For example, if you weigh 70 kilograms (154 pounds), you should aim to consume no more than 70 grams of erythritol in a day.
Besides that, Lily’s chocolate bars are kosher-certified, making them perfect for anyone with dietary preferences or restrictions.
Whether it's a special occasion like a birthday, Mother's Day, Father's Day, or simply a regular day, Lily's milk chocolate-style bars are a perfect way to celebrate those little moments of joy.
They're also perfect for all the holidays too! Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Valentine's Day.
10. Koochikoo Lollipops
With a special pre-biotic tapioca base as a sugar substitute, you can enjoy the sweetness of Koochikoo’s lollipops without any concerns about your blood sugar levels or digestion.
Each lollipop contains 5g of tapioca, giving you that delightful sweetness without any added sugar. In addition, the lollipops are GMO- and gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and allergen-friendly.. So, they suit various dietary preferences and restrictions.
The flavor of these lollipops is long-lasting. You won't feel the need to constantly reach for more – one lollipop will keep you satisfied for a while.
But the real star here is the organic tapioca. Its pre-biotic properties promote gastrointestinal health and better digestion.
Conclusion
By using natural sweeteners like erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit extract, these candies offer a healthier and more digestively-friendly alternative.
They not only provide a satisfying sweet taste but also help manage caloric intake and reduce the impact on blood sugar levels.
So, if you're looking for a guilt-free indulgence that won't upset your digestive system, consider trying our top recommendations.
Last update on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sources
To ensure that we give you correct, accurate, and relevant information, all articles on Diabetic & Me are backed by verified information from academic research papers, well-known organizations, research institutions, and medical associations.
- Woman's World Sugar-Free Candy Could Have an Unpleasant Laxative Side Effect — Here’s Why
- Yale New Haven Health Eat Any Sugar Alcohol Lately?
- Science Direct Sorbitol
- Healthline Erythritol — Like Sugar Without the Calories?
- WebMD Xylitol
- Live Strong Psyllium vs. Dextrin: Which Is the Better Fiber Supplement?
- Nutrition Facts Erythritol vs. Xylitol for Preventing Cavities
- Nourish by WebMD What Is Erythritol?
- Medical News Today 6 nutrition facts about tapioca
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