03/17/2025 “Are Sugar-free Snacks Really Good for Us?” By Kaylee McGrath

Opening Statement:

Many packaged foods advertise their sugar-free ingredients and/or sugar substitutions, but does this mean they are healthy? We all need to learn and follow a balance of sugar in our diets because that is the key: Sugar is essential for our bodies, but in the right amounts. When we eat food, our bodies turn some of it into sugar. That sugar fuels our muscles, brain, and organs. If we eat more sugar than our bodies need to function, the extra turns into fat. Too much stored fat can cause health problems for example heart disease and diabetes.

Good Sugar Alternatives:

Stevia And Splenda Products Are Healthy Sugar Alternatives

Both products are the best-studied sweeteners on the market with no observed long-term harmful effects

·       Stevia is a plant-based natural sweetener

·       Splenda offers natural and artificial low-calorie sweeteners

Suggested Limits of Sugar

·       The American Heart Association suggests limiting added sugars to no more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams) per day for women and 9 teaspoons (38 grams) per day for men.

Healthcare Professionals Approved Sugar-Free Snacks

Choose snacks low in carbohydrates, especially if you want to lose weight. But don’t just look at sugar content alone, a healthy snack should have no more than 18 grams of carbs per serving.

Try low-carb snacks, such as:

·       One sugar-free popsicle

·       10 Goldfish crackers

·       One string cheese stick

·       ¼ cup dried fruit and nut mix (without candy or chocolate pieces)

·       Two rice cakes with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter

Closing Statement:

On a personal note, when I’ve tried a few of the “sugar free” snacks I found the taste horrible, too sweet, I could taste the artificial ingredients, and it also left a bad after taste in my mouth. The key is balancing your sugar. Since I do not drink soda, this helps me a lot with my sugar intake. I limit ice tea to just a half a bottle a day or I buy the mini bottles. I also drink at least 32 to 40 oz. of water a day. I do like rice cakes with peanut butter as well as celery sticks, carrots with peanut butter. I agree with having one cheese stick if I get hungry in between meals and I always have a glass of water with my snacks. For a good healthy diet, everyone should try to attend a free workshop with a nutritionist/dietitian. Contact your local hospital and see when they will be scheduling one. Sometimes libraries have guest speakers on these very important subjects as well as other health related topics. All are free to attend, you just need to register for them.

Source of Information: Various Google Searches and Personal Experience

Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!