“Healthy” desserts can sometimes feel like a sham. “It’s just like the real thing!” you tell yourself. But is it? Is it really? That said, there are some brands that are seriously stepping up their game, and Smart Sweets is a prime example. We were lucky enough to be among the first tasters of these healthy gummies back in 2017, and honestly, we couldn’t put the bag down – they’re that good. In 2024, Smart Sweets are no longer the new kid on the block, but they’re still getting buzz. You might’ve even seen them make an appearance in Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B’s “Bongos” music video back in 2023.
Whether you’re a longtime Smart Sweets fan or a new convert after watching a few of Cardi’s tantalizing slo-mo bites, it’s never too late to learn more about the calorie-conscious candy. Here’s a quick rundown on Smart Sweets, including what they taste like, and whether they’re actually that much better for you.
What Are Smart Sweets?
Smart Sweets is a brand of candy that claims to have up to 92 percent less sugar than traditional candy. It mostly offers gummies – including classic favorites like sour watermelons, rainbow gummy bears, and peach rings – but its lineup also includes caramels and lollipops.
Smart Sweets was founded by Canadian entrepreneur Tara Bosch at age 22. According to the brand’s website, she “always had a love affair with candy,” but started Smart Sweets “after experiencing the negative effects excess sugar has on our health.” She apparently spent months recipe testing in her kitchen to create what she calls “the first delicious candy – without all the sugar.”
What Are Smart Sweets Made With?
How exactly does Smart Sweets candy taste so good without as much sugar? The short answer is an FDA-approved sweetener called allulose (also called D-psicose). According to the Cleveland Clinic, allulose is a naturally occurring sugar found in figs, raisins, wheat, and maple syrup. Studies show it’s almost as sweet as sugar, but it’s not absorbed into the body the same way. Therefore, it has no affect on blood sugar or insulin, which is great for people with diabetes.
Allulose is also lower in calories, at only 0.4 calories per gram (compared to the usual four calories per gram you’d find in table sugar). Beyond allulose, Smart Sweets candy also contains two other zero-calorie, FDA-approved sweeteners: stevia (extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant native to Paraguay and Brazil) and monk-fruit extract (extracted from a small fruit native to China).
The brand’s products also contain added fiber – for example, chicory root fiber, tapioca fiber, and soluble corn fiber – in an effort to make its candy more nutritious. In one bag of its Sour Blast Buddies, for example, you’ll get 13 grams of fiber, which is about half your recommended daily intake. As a reminder: fiber is beneficial for promoting healthy digestion, increasing feelings of fullness, stabilizing blood sugar, and reducing heart disease risk. Some fibers, including chicory root, also act as a prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria in your gut. Just be mindful not to eat too many Smart Sweets at once, or you could experience GI issues like bloating, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea.
Are Smart Sweets Healthy?
Smart Sweets’ main marketing play is that lower sugar content makes them a healthier candy. But is this really true? You probably already know that consuming added sugar isn’t great for you; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults limit their added-sugar intake to less than 10 percent of their total daily calories because consuming too much can contribute to health problems (such as weight gain, type II diabetes, and heart disease). However, it’s important to remember that all sugar isn’t evil, and low-sugar foods aren’t inherently healthy either.
The good news is that the sweeteners used in Smart Sweets appear safe. The brand doesn’t use any artificial sweeteners like aspartame, nor do they use any sugar alcohols – both of which have come under fire recently as new research sheds light on some negative health effects. Still, allulose is currently considered a “novel food,” per the Cleveland Clinic, which means it hasn’t been thoroughly tested, so we may not fully understand how it affects the human body long-term.
In general, the Mayo Clinic cautions against relying too heavily on sugar substitutes to flavor your food, as “these ingredients may get your tastebuds used to sweetness” and make it harder for you to enjoy unflavored or naturally sweet foods. That said, both sugary foods and foods made with sweeteners (like Smart Sweets), can fit into a healthy diet, so long as they’re enjoyed in moderation. Smart Sweets may also be a welcome substitute for those with certain health goals or conditions like diabetes. Always consult with a doctor before making any major changes to your diet or lifestyle.
How Do Smart Sweets Taste?
As with traditional candies, Smart Sweets are sweet and tangy – and if you buy the sour kind, they’re surprisingly tart. However, they can be a bit firmer and chewier than a regular full-sugar gummy. In our PS editor taste test, a few of our testers were put off by the texture. The rest of the group, however, really enjoyed the taste and embraced the chewiness. If you’re sensitive to stevia, you may notice the flavor, but most of our testers found it to be subtle, if not unnoticeable.
Beyond our own editor testing, Amazon reviewers seem similarly split on the taste, with some criticizing the taste and texture, and others voicing appreciation for a healthier sweet treat. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, but there’s plenty of options to choose from, and it definitely doesn’t hurt to try.
Where Can You Buy Smart Sweets?
You can find Smart Sweets – for example, this Smart Sweets Variety Pack ($25) – on Amazon, Whole Foods, Target, or on the Smart Sweets website. On the brand’s website, you can also search for other retailers near you.
– Additional reporting by Dominique Michelle Astorino and Chandler Plante
Lauren Mazzo was the senior fitness editor at PS. She is a certified personal trainer and fitness nutrition specialist through the American Council on Exercise. Prior to joining PS, she worked for six years as a writer and editor for Shape Magazine covering health, fitness, nutrition, mental health, sex and relationships, beauty, and astrology.
Dominique Michelle Astorino is a former PS contributor.
Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.
