Throughout this online catalog, there are references to various sweetening products that are used in our confections in place of sugar. Please take a moment to read the descriptions of these sweeteners to be sure that they fit into your particular nutritional program. Naturally, as with all food products that are new to your diet, you should check with your doctor or health care professional.

Almost every item has a     button next to it. Clicking on this will display the item's nutritional label that show both ingredients and nutritional breakdown. Several of our bakery items only show ingredients and not nutritional breakdown. This is due to differences from batch to batch.

SUGAR FREE OR NO SUGAR ADDED… WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
No sugar added means that while no sugar (sucrose) is added to the product, some naturally occurring sugar is present in some of its ingredients (such as raisins or fruits). These sugars, such as fructose (from fruit), lactose (from dairy products), and maltose (from starch) metabolize into the bloodstream very slowly, if at all and cause insignificant changes in blood sugar levels. Regulations allow that any product containing less than .5 grams of sugar per serving may be labeled sugar-free; while over .5 grams (even the slower metabolizing sugars, as described above) must be labeled no sugar added. Some items in our catalogue are coded with "*NSA" designating no sugar added.

MALTITOL is a natural sweetener derived from corn. The corn is "hydrolyzed, infused with hydrogen (hydrogenated), and the result is a natural product that tastes sweet but is absorbed into the body more slowly than sugar (sucrose). This sweetener does not elevate blood sugar and has 2-3 calories per gram. It has no aftertaste and can be used in cooking and baking.

SUGAR ALCOHOL is the technical category for Maltitol and other sweeteners. It may appear on some labels in its place. In fact, it is neither a sugar nor an alcohol. Products containing Sugar Alcohol are labeled with advice that "excess consumption may have a laxative effect". This varies from person to person and is best controlled by moderation. At first, try smaller portions and gradually increase as your body adjusts.

LYCASIN® (HSH) is one of the brand names of Maltitol.

SUCROSE is common table sugar - not used in any of our products. A form of carbohydrates that provides calories and raises blood glucose levels. Includes white, brown, confectioner's and raw sugars. Honey, corn syrup, molasses and sorghum are also sugars.

SUCROSE-FREE does not contain refined or granulated sugar.

XYLITOL is a naturally occurring sugar substitute found in fruits and vegetables and is made from Xylan rich vegetable sources. It is as sweet as sucrose with no aftertaste and 40% less calories; it is very slowly metabolized into the bloodstream.

PURE CRYSTALLINE FRUCTOSE is a naturally occurring sweetener, that is found in fruits and berries. It is slowly absorbed in the blood and therefore causes a significantly lower rise in blood sugar levels than sucrose (sugar) or fruit juice concentrates. It is sweeter than sugar, so less is needed resulting in calorie reduction.

FRUCTOSE occurs in all fruits and berries. Therefore, all of our fruit products contain some of this naturally occurring ingredient and may be used as a diet exchange in your nutritional program. Those products will include exchange information on our labels.

NUTRASWEET® is a brandname for a non-caloric sweetener whose ingredients are: Dextrose with maltodextrin, Aspartame. PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE.

ISOMALT is a sugar substitute made from sugar beets, that results in insignificant changes in blood sugar levels. 50% as sweet as sugar (sucrose).

SWEET 'N LOW® A brand name sugar substitute containing Calcium Saccharin.

SORBITOL is a naturally occurring sweetener found in fruits. It is slowly absorbed into the body and is lower in calories than most nutritive sweeteners.

LACTITOL is a sweetener derived from milk sugar and belongs to the chemical group of polyols. Often used in combination with aspartame and polydextrose.

POLYDEXTROSE is a bulking agent derived from dextrose. When a sweetener is used to substitute for sugar, this is often added to compensate for the bulk lost by the substitution.

SUCRALOSE 600 times sweeter than sugar, is a low calorie sweetener processed from sugar, which can be used in place of sugar with no effect on blood glucose levels. It is made by replacing 3 hydrogen/oxygen molecules with 3 chlorine atoms. It does not promote tooth decay and has no aftertaste.

SPLENDA® a brand name of Sucralose

MANNITOL is a monosaccharide polyol. It has approximately 70% of the sweetening power of sugar but is absorbed much slower than sugar.

ACESULFAME K (ACE-K) is a sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is made by transforming acetoacetic acid and combining it with potassium to create a stable crystalline sweetener. It is not metabolized by the body and therefore does not provide calories or carbohydrates.