My nieces and nephews always know I have a bowl of candy on my dining room table. Well, since I have had RNY 1-week ago I haven't had candy around in about a month, maybe two months.

Does anyone have any recommendations on sugar-free candy to keep in a bowl? And can RNY patients eat sugar-free candy due to the sugar alcohol?

If there is a way to keep some of my old "perks" as an aunt, but tweak it so that I am also helping the kiddos with sugar-free candy.

Thank you.

Consider replacing the candy bowl with a fruit bowl or other healthy Snacks or non-food treats for the kids. Preferably something you are not fond of as well.

My mom and dad (both obese) always kept a candy drawer in the kitchen because they liked candy. Unfortunately, from it I developed a candy-every-day habit which led me to a life of obesity, unhappiness and frustration, and finally this RNY. You can be the good aunt by thinking creatively about both happy surprises at your house AND their long term health. Get them involved in games, projects and play that gives them exercise.

What they will always remember most about you is that it was fun to spend time with you and all the love you gave them--not the candy dish.

Stickers, small toys, or popcorn, goldfish or pretzels (individual portion bags). You can make your own trail mix w/any combination of nuts, dried fruits, pretzels, goldfish, and cereals. You can keep a big bowl of it or package it in ziploc snack size bags for freshness. Having candy around 'for the kids' just tempts you more. I spent many years buying junk 'for the kids' and then eating it myself. And my two of my children battle weight issues that, to be brutally honest, are completely MY FAULT. Even supposedly 'healthy' sugar-free candy has no nutritional value. And it's not good for YOU either.

Candy isn't good for children or adults and also bad for teeth. It starts habits of unhealthy eating. Children often like healthy alternatives or even substitutes like stickers. A non-food treat teaches them to appreciate things other than food. Keep activity books or coloring books for them so they look forward to an activity at your house. When my kids were young my in-laws had activity books and special puzzles for them. I purposely never had the same things at my house. It made the trip to grandma's special and unique. They got to do things at grandma's that they didn't do at home.

Oh, thank you. The Goldfish and pretzels are a great idea, since those are individually packaged. I will also look into some trail mix recipes as well. Thanks for your helping me keep it in the healthy path.

I buy butterscotch discs from my local grocery store bulk section...I only have one once in a while when i just want something sweet or I throw a few in my purse for a treat on the road...they come different flavors...i dont buy many and only an occasional treat...

You can look for recipes to get ideas but there's no right or wrong in trail mix. Just put in whatever you like. :-)

I noticed that the sugar free candy has a TON of fat in it. I was looking at the Russell Stovers and 3 small pieces had approx 15gr of fat. It's like if they take out the sugar they add fat and if they take out the fat they add sugar.