Regular readers will know that I am concerned about sugar intake – not only of myself but of my family. One of the biggest battles I face is with sweets, which obviously contain sugar. But Swiss Sweet brand Ricola has an amazing sugar free range of herbal sweets. They held a Sugar Swap event in Manchester Arndale where shoppers were given the opportunity to bin their sugary snacks and drinks in exchange for a packet of Ricola sweets. There was also a Dietician on hand if anyone wanted to talk about sugar consumption and the benefits of reducing sugar intake.
OF GLOUCESTER’S ADULTS DON’T CARE ABOUT THEIR SUGAR INTAKE
79% of adults in Gloucester admit to not caring about their sugar consumption, according to new research revealed today, with 71% stating that they don’t monitor their weekly sugar intake. Research commissioned by Ricola sugar-free confectionary found that Gloucester was one of the only areas of the UK in which adults don’t eat sweets or sugary foods every day although 14% still think they consume too much sugar and 21% would like to cut down on sugar.
These latest research figures are released as part of Ricola’s new Sugar Swap campaign, which encourages people to carefully consider their weekly sugar intake and swap high sugar content confectionary for low sugar alternatives.
Leading UK Dietician, Kirsten Crothers, who will be heading up a series of educational sugar swap events across the UK says: “Frequent intake of foods which are high in sugar can lead to obesity and other associated life threatening conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. Unfortunately, as with many health messages, people are confused about what to eat and how to make lower sugar changes to their diet. Practical education is needed within the UK to help what is now a health crisis.”
Ricola’s research comes as the country’s war on sugar continues. Just this month, Public Health England has launched a £5 million Change4Life campaign to promote a ‘Sugar Smart’ app, which allows consumers to scan bar codes of products to reveal how much sugar is in everyday food and drink, including sweets. Whilst the UK is becoming more educated on the harmful effects of too much sugar in the diet, many are still misled by conflicting guidance around sugar-laden snacks such as sweetened drinks, cereal, chocolate, sweets and fruit juice. Latest government advice recommends that adults should consume no more than 30g of sugar per day, the equivalent of less than a single can of Coca-Cola.
Even simple everyday items such as a packet of extra strong mints can contain up to 95% sugar. It’s handbag treats such as these that Ricola are encouraging people to stop, think and replace for sugar free items to promote long term health benefits, including those related to dental health. Andy Richman, Ricola’s Sales & Marketing Manager for Northern Europe comments: “We’re very keen to drum home the message that adults do not need added sugar in their diets. Just by swapping high sugar content snacks to healthier options, you can make a huge difference to your overall health’
One lucky reader can have a 6 month supply of Ricola Sugar-free Sweets by telling me why (in 10 words or more) they think that it would be a good idea and entering the Rafflecopter below.
E: 13/02/2016
0:00 AM
I was sent a few samples of Ricola’s sugar free sweets to try. Words have been provided for me but no financial compensation has been given.
I think having a supply of these sugar free sweets will stop me from having other sweets which contain sugar as often. I have tried two flavours of the ricaladj sweets in the past and enjoyed the lemon ones and I think I could have these as an alternative to other sweets. I think having more of an awareness on sugar intake as to be a good thing, it is surprising how much sugar things contain. For an example a can of coke contains 18 teaspoons of sugar. No one would want to put 18 teaspoons of sugar into their month but that’s what they are basically doing. You would think things like that would be really sweet but people don’t realise how much sugar are in things like this and cutting down and thinking about what you are eating more will have many health benefits.
Enjoyable gems are Ricola’s, and I don’t miss sugar whatsoever.
I love the Ricola flavours, it’s great that they’re not full of sugar too! 🙂
I think that I eat quite a lot of sugar so I need to try and reduce it and this would help!
Having ricola sweets would stop me from eating as much sugar. I need something to eat or suck on. I try Liquorice roots, liquorice extract, salt liquorice, pepper smith mints and more but sooner or later the siren call of sweet sweet sugar comes back again.
i have way to much sugary food so having something better to munch on would be great
It’s time to cut my sugar consumption I think
I used to eat candies with no sugar when I was a child. I stopped drinking coffee with sugar, this would be a bonus
They are a good idea as hopefully they would stop the crave for something sweet and be a bit better for me
These would be a good idea because it is a simple way to cut down on our sugar intake.
These would be great for keeping me sweet without sugar x
I am trying to lose weight- sugar is so bad
(sorry i read the competition entry as 10 words or less, but it’s 10 words or more) I am trying to lose weight and eating sugar free sweets is a good way of keeping my cravings at bay. I also like eating ricola sweets on my cycle to and from work, keeps me occupied! I’d really love to win this, love ricola sweets! Please void my other entry! Thanks!
Time for a change, sugar is so 2015!
I really like eating sweets and eat them all day! if I’m going to eat sweets all day, they should at least be sugar free 🙂
I’m diabetic but still like sweets. Ricola are my favourites as they don’t have that artificial taste that some sugar free sweets do. I love the lemon mint flavour.
Will be a good way for my 4 kids to realise that it doesnt have to have sugar to taste good!!
I have Diabetes, but love sweets. These would be great
I have’nt tried Ricola sweets before, but it would be nice to eat a sweet that is sugar free and is therefore better for you but still has a nice flavour.
I’m a diabetic & ricola make up almost all my sweet intake, they are really nice & come in a great range of flavours
To give to my mum who’s recently been diagnosed diabetic but still wants her sweet treats
Wife was diagnosed diabetic so we both gave up sugar
I just lost half a molar the other day and though it was caused by biting something hard (a nut), I know it was weakened by having had too much sugar before. So in light of me not wanting to lose any more teeth, I am off sugar but my taste for sweeties is not yet diminished.
So hello Ricola, wanna be my friend?
love ricola…and help with the craving for sugar..
Such a great idea! I joined Slimming World 4 weeks ago, and it’s only since then that I’ve really realised just how much sugar and how many calories are in most brands of mints – I don’t use them at all now!
Having a sweet tooth and being healthy is easier with Ricola
It seems these days that people regard processed food and sweets/sugary drinks as part of a normal everyday diet, whereas they should actually be regarded as a treat to be eaten occasionally!
I love chocolate covered toffee, but I have one piece every other day after my evening meal, for example.
I would love to win as I really want to swap the sweets that a certain member of my family (mentioning no names 🙂 consumes on a regular basis with something more healthy 🙂
I would like to win as I really need to reduce my sugar intake and these would be perfect
I love Ricola sweets! They come in a handy box to keep in my bag, and make a change from sugary sweets or mints.
Would make my doctor very happy to see I am cutting down on the sugar
Having Ricola in my desk drawer would replace the sugary sweet I seem to need every afternoon after my lunch. I’m sure my teeth would thank me for it!
Cool prize x
This would be an amazing free gift as my sister last month got diagnosed with diabetes and it would really help her
I’m trying to lose some weight but still fancy something sweet, these would be perfect x
i love eating sweets, and i really could do with cuting down on sugar x
its a great idea, I often crave a little sweet something but the sugar and calories can really add up, these are a way to treat myself without affecting my diet..
My dad is diabetic so he is always looking for a sweet treat that won’t send his blood sugar sky high…these would be a lovely treat for him I think
great way to eat sweets but no sugar
This is the first time that i have heard of these sweets. MY grandad is a diabetic and has diabetic sweets that are sugar free and to be honest they dont taste nice at all. it would be great to try these to see if they taste any better 🙂 x
Less sugar, less medical problems, more GP availability.
I have a sweet tooth and I am getting older so this sounds a good way of getting healthier
These will help my New Years resolution to lose weight
i need to cut down on sugar desperately
I love anything sweet but don’t want to have too much sugar and want to set good example to my kids.
I think it’s a great way to still get that sweet craving without having all the bad sugars that come along with it. As a sweet tooth these are what I need.
I do have a sweet tooth, like many others. Maybe sugar free sweets could help me change and reduce sugar intake.
Well it would keep me off the Haribo and Worthers Originals for the foreseeable future!
Time to cut down the sugar I have, this is the perfect chsnce
Became insulin dependent diabetic following surgery, really miss my sweets
i need to cut back on my sugar intake, i have such a sweet tooth
I find sucking sugar free sweets stops me from snacking on other things
anything that is sugar free is a bonus to me as i have such a big sweet tooth 🙂 thanks
I think it would be a good idea as we should think more about how much sugar we consume and is a good idea to make swaps to low sugar/ no sugar options
I’m doing weight watchers, so a sugar free treat would be great
love sweets so sugar free would be great
Im always conscious of my sugar intake and so cutting the amount in sweets would be just great
My kids are sweet crazy and I’m trying to get them to eat healthier – this would help a lot !
This would reduce our sugar intake further than we’re trying for already xx
My partner has diabetes but suffers more from having ‘a sweet tooth’ 😉 The Riccola sugar free alternatives will gradually ween him off of his lifetimes achilles’ heel and at the same time educate our little boy to eat more healthily and responsibly so he never has to go down the same route as his daddy. x
Love Ricola Sweets, a healthy & tasty alternative for us all
Sugar free sweets for the kids then
Great idea as I love to have a treat but always feel guilty, these are a great alternative especially when you start eating and just can’t stop!
I am Swiss and have known Ricola sweets since I was little. I’ve always loved them and used to stock up when I visited my family, so happy that I can get them here in England now. Even better if I won them 🙂
I eat to many sweets and chocs, anything that taste good thats sugar free I will have
sugar free treats are a must for me
I’d love to reduce our sugar intake and wonder if my son would eat these.
Any reduction in sugar and therefore calories is welcomed!
These would be a good idea because it is a simple way to cut down on our sugar intake.
I miss sugar due to my training
These would be great for me because I can’t stop eating sugary sweets. (Tic tacs for example)
I have way too much sugar! It’s so hard as its all so hidden and I love fruit which has lots so this but would be a very good way to cut down
Husband loves unhealthy treats so now we are on a mission to change what he eats.
I think entering is a great idea because my daughter is a diabetic and sometimes its very hard to treat her with nice sweets.
I would love to try these as they sound tasty but more importantly because I need to reduce my sugar intake.
I’m diabetic so this would help control my blood sugars
It’s a good idea because people have no idea of the extent of the negative effects of sugar on the body. Also I’m generally really interested in the health effects of sugar – writing an extended project essay on it!
Becaus I have a sweet toothy but would be great to reduce my sugar intakeb
I need to drop my sugar intake, RICOLA “THE ANSWER”
Ricola is the answer for me, currently on the slimmingworld diet but crave something sweet, this may be my saviour! X
I’m on a diet and missing my sweet snacks so Ricola would be a brilliant alternative
Diabetes runs in my family and unfortunately I have a sweet tooth! I’ve tried Ricola before and think they’re great, having a supply of ricola would save me from reaching from sugar filled sweets as I’m trying to keep track of my sugar intake while I’m young, but I’ll also be able to share it with diabetic members of my family to save them reaching for sweet things when they have a craving or their sugar levels are low.
I’m on a diet so it would be great to have these sugar free sweets as a treat as they would fix the sugar cravings!
No more sugar highs (and then lows) for me!
Would be great for my bf dad who has diabetes but he always had a sweet tooth
to help my dad with his diabetes
I think it’s a great idea because most of us consume far too much sugar, but life would be miserable without sweet things! These would make a great thing to have when fancying something sweet, and they’re convenient with a lovely range of flavours!
I gave up eating sugar a few weeks ago but it would be nice to have a sweet to suck when I have my cravings.
awesome giveaway could do with these to help me give up sugar
Love these and especially the new pack’s better than the tubes have been spreading the word for ages about how good they are please dont go mad and increae your prices now Jamie Olivers got involved please
its great to be able to cut down on your sugar, and these would be brilliant for my parents because both of them are diabetic too
I’ve only recently got a sweet tooth – no idea why, but sugar free streets sound like the way to go! 🙂
Sweets without sugar are the way forward as a diabetic.
There are far too many products on the market today which are full of sugar and everywhere you go they are basically ‘in your face’. You just can’t get away from them, and for some the temptation is just too much. These wonderful sugar free sweets are a much needed addition to the confectionery market, not only for adults but children too!
From a personal point of view after struggling with weight issues from a very early age these would have been a welcome treat many years ago and I’ll gladly use them now to treat myself to something sweet…..with a great big smile on my face 🙂
Keep up the good work Ricola!
They would be good for cutting down on sugar but still having a treat or two, limiting calories also x
I think I need to reduce my daily sugar intake.
Be a great idea for me and the kids to cut down on sugar, plus they taste great.
I’m always looking for ways to cut down on sugar, these sound perfect. I’ve never tried ricolas before but they sound really good.
I’m always looking for ways to reduce my fat and sugar intakes. Unfortunately most of the food I eat isn’t the best for me :/
Sugar free sweets are a great way to swap out some of the worse items I eat for things that are more healthy.
I would try these sweets for the health and dental benefits
These sweets are healthier, less fattening, yet delicious and taste good
Sugar free sweets are healthier
I love sweets but having had a couple of fillings recently I’m trying to cut down on sugar to keep my dentist happy! These would be a perfect alternative to my usual sugary snacks 🙂
I love nibbling on something sweet late at night. Would be great knowin they were sugar free 🙂 also as a mum to3 boys, knowing I could offer sugar free sweets would be a bonus!
These sweet would satisfy my sweet tooth whilst protecting my teeth and stopping me gaining weight
As a diabetic who loves the odd sweet or two these would be great x
As a Diabetic it would be good for me.
Sorry I thought it was 10 words or less not more. As a Diabetic I do not always obey the rules a six months supply would therefore be good for me.
I think sugar free sweets are brilliant and I wish there were more available, fantastic for a sweet fix but not as damaging to your teeth and health.
I love Ricola sweets. The sugar free version are good for my teeth and my waistline.
We love Ricola 🙂 xxx
As someone who watches the amount of sugar they eat because of the effect on teeth but who loves a sweet treat these would be perfect!!
This would certainly help me lose more weight (4 stone so far) but let me enjoy a sweet treat perfect
I know that I have way to much sugar in my diet, a lot of its hidden sugars. I have cut down on my sugar intake this year but how can I have sweets with no sugar…………
I try to stick to a low carb diet so these sweets would be perfect for me as a treat
I have too sweet a tooth, and these would help satisfy it and avoid more sugar , so would be amazing
Fab way to cut down on sugar thanks
Im on a weight watchers diet so this is very usefull for me, i have a sweet tooth, and was always eating sweets.good luck with campain.
I’ve heard how bad sugar is for your health so I think these are a great idea for anyone, especially those who like sweet foods!
Being diabetic these are perfect
I have given up sugar, these would be lovely!
It would be a good idea to help people prevent tooth decay as well as other negative effects on health
these are perfect for those who are diabetic and I know I have a 50% chance of inheriting this
time to change
Sugar is in everything even iv baked beans and soups it’s ridiculous and in later life lethal.
I love Ricola and want to loose some weight, so changing all my sugary treats for Ricola is probably a great idea
im diabetic with a love of sweets so ricola rule
To eat a sweet without my blood sugar going wild
I could then have a little treat without feeling guilty!
They sound a good idea to prevent people eating sugary snacks. You could just substitute these
I’d give these to my nephews. Anything to reduce obesity.
I’m always trying to cut down on my calories so a sugar free sweet fix would be great for sorting my sweet tooth without expanding the waist band!
would be alot better for my teeth rather than ones full of sugar
Since becoming a Mum I’ve found I have a real sweet tooth and after the excuse of Christmas I just haven’t stopped and have really piled on the calories by late evening snacking on sugar filled treats. I think these would be a great replacement to ease my cravings for a tasty treat whilst not increasing my ever growing waist line! Not to mention my poor teeth!
am always trying to cut down sugar intake but it’s in so many products it’s difficult to keep tabs on..more sugar free products are a must
Because I have realised recently that I have far too much sugar in my diet and want to address this. As I have a very sweet tooth these sweets would help me massively!
I have way too much sugar in my diet at the moment, and winning these would be a fab way to cut it down.
I think these are a really good idea because I need to cut down on sugar for the sake of my teeth!
I think it’s a good idea because the traditional sweets tend to contain a lot of sugar, which is not good when trying to maintain a healthy diet.
Instead of sugar it contains the artificial sweetener Aspartame. This neurotoxin is much more dangerous than sugar. I would advise doing some reasearch.
I’d love these 🙂 I’m diabetic as is my mum, dad, sister, uncle and aunty – we all have MODY (Mature Onset Diabetes Youth) so would be nice to have some treats around 😀
These looks yummy and tasty sweets is it for diabetics as well.