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Good Housekeeping published a tested roundup of 10 lower-sugar candy swaps, including date-sweetened bars, fruit-only gummies, and reformulated nostalgic candies. Testers and in-house dietitians evaluated taste, texture, and nutrition. Experts caution that fiber-rich options still require portion control.
Good Housekeeping has published a tested roundup of 10 lower-sugar candy alternatives, spotlighting products from date-sweetened chocolate bars to fruit-only gummies that the magazine’s food editors and nutrition experts say can replace conventional high-sugar treats. The list arrives as consumers increasingly seek reduced-sugar versions of nostalgic sweets, and each pick comes with per-serving nutrition data gathered through the publication’s tasting and evaluation process.
The roundup draws on Good Housekeeping’s in-house testing, where deputy food editor Trish Clasen Marsanisco, staff dietitians, and volunteer testers evaluated products on taste, texture, and nutritional profile. Several items received the magazine’s Snack Awards recognition in prior years, including Solely fruit gummies, made with just fruit and vitamin C and containing no added sugar or artificial colors.
Nutrition profiles vary widely across the list. A Solely fruit gummy pouch contains 60 calories and 0 grams added sugar; a SmartSweets Sweet Fish pouch has 100 calories, 13 grams of fiber, and 0 grams added sugar; and a Pure Organic Layered Fruit Bar contains 4 grams of added sugar per 50-calorie bar. The date-based mini bars highlighted at the top of the list contain 4 to 7 grams of fiber each with zero added sugars, sweetened instead with dates.
Other picks include UNREAL chocolate candies, made with Fair Trade chocolate and no sugar alcohols; chocolate-peanut butter wafers with 3 grams of added sugar per piece; and Numa taffy, which the magazine says contains nearly half the sugar and more protein than traditional taffy. Testers repeatedly noted that the products did not carry the off-flavors often associated with sugar-free candy, with one saying they detected no “fakeness” or weird aftertaste.
Why Lower-Sugar Swaps Are Drawing Shoppers
The recommendations reflect a sustained shift in the candy aisle, where brands increasingly reformulate classic products to reduce added sugar while preserving taste. For readers trying to cut added sugar intake — a common dietary goal linked by public health agencies to reduced risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes — the list offers independently tasted options rather than marketing claims alone.
The nutrition data provided also lets consumers make direct comparisons. The gap between a SmartSweets pouch at 0 grams added sugar and a Numa taffy serving at 7 grams added sugar illustrates that “healthier candy” covers a wide range, and label-reading still matters. Good Housekeeping’s dietitians flagged practical caveats too: the high-fiber SmartSweets products should be limited to one bag per day, paired with plenty of water to support digestion.
Top picks for "healthier sugar candy"
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How Good Housekeeping Tested the Picks
Good Housekeeping’s food coverage combines editorial tasting with input from staff nutritionists, and the brand runs an annual Snack Awards program. Solely, one of the featured brands, has won several of those awards in recent years, according to the report. Testers quoted in the piece compared the products directly to conventional counterparts — one likened UNREAL’s coconut bars to Almond Joy, and Marsanisco said the salted date caramel bar beat the chocolate caramel bars she had eaten her whole life.
The featured products are positioned as swaps rather than health foods. Many are certified organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, or Fair Trade, and several avoid sugar alcohols and artificial dyes — common complaints consumers have about conventional and sugar-free candy alike.
“I like them even better than the chocolate caramel bars I’ve eaten my whole life. The date caramel layer is rich, decadent, and just the right amount of gooey.”
— Trish Clasen Marsanisco, Good Housekeeping Deputy Food Editor
Where the Better-For-You Candy Market Goes
Expect continued product launches in the lower-sugar candy category, including UNREAL’s new peanut butter chocolate drops noted in the report, as brands compete on reformulation. Readers interested in the full methodology, complete nutrition panels for all 10 products, and purchasing details can consult the original Good Housekeeping report. Anyone with specific dietary needs — such as diabetes management or fiber sensitivity — should check labels and, for personalized guidance, consult a registered dietitian or healthcare provider.
Key Questions
Are low-sugar candy swaps actually healthier?
According to Good Housekeeping’s dietitians, the featured products reduce or eliminate added sugar and avoid sugar alcohols and artificial dyes. However, they are still treats — some contain added sugar (up to 7 grams per serving on this list), and portion guidance applies, especially for high-fiber options.
Which pick has the least sugar?
The Solely fruit gummies and SmartSweets candies list 0 grams of added sugar per pouch, and the date-based mini bars also contain 0 grams added sugar with 3 grams total sugars per bar.
Why do dietitians recommend limiting SmartSweets to one bag a day?
Good Housekeeping’s dietitians note the candies are high in fiber — 13 grams per Sweet Fish pouch — and recommend no more than one bag daily with plenty of water to support digestion.
Do these candies taste like conventional candy?
Testers said yes, with one noting no “fakeness” or aftertaste from SmartSweets and another comparing UNREAL’s coconut bars favorably to Almond Joy. Individual preferences vary.
Are these products suitable for vegans?
The report identifies Solely’s fruit gummies as vegan and organic. Shoppers should check individual product labels, as chocolate-based items vary by brand.
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