About Smart Sweets
Smart Sweets is on a mission to replace your high-sugar and high-calorie candy with a healthier alternative. The brand’s treats are made with no sugar alcohols, no artificial sweeteners, and no GMO ingredients.
Smart Sweets is no just-down-the-block candy shop. The brand has been praised in Forbes, BBC, CNBC, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, and other top publications.
The founder has been awarded for her entrepreneurship, and the brand itself has been awarded a Whole Foods Market Supplier Award. Smart Sweets is popping off on social media, too, with 473k followers on Instagram and 57k on Facebook.
So, can this company’s sweet treats be your guilt-free indulgence? Stay tuned as this Smart Sweets candy review provides the ultimate goody bag of information, including best-selling products, health benefits, ingredients, FAQs, and more, so you can make that crucial decision.
Overview of Smart Sweets
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of this Smart Sweets candy review, let’s take a look at how it all began. The brand’s humble beginnings really were humble: Tara Bosch was only 21 when she founded the company in 2016.
Her journey as a young entrepreneur started when she got inspired to invent a candy that was both delicious and health-conscious. She dropped out of college to make this sweet tooth solution a reality.
After Tara found it difficult to cut back on sugar, she experimented with recipes for months on end to concoct the perfect low-sugar candy. Once she did, the sweets were soon sold in Whole Foods stores across the US.
Smart Sweets only expanded from there, adding plant-based candies, innovating the recipes further, and building a strong loyal community of customers and social media followers. The brand is supported by fitness and body-positive influencers who endorse its treats. And, YouTubers like Whitney Simmons have been spotted featuring these candies in their videos.
Headquartered in Vancouver, Smart Sweets is the epitome of a new-age, urban millennial brand. With neon pink, green, and blue packaging and fun-shaped gummies, it’s no wonder our Instagram feeds are littered with this brand.
Now that you know a bit more about the company and where it came from, this Smart Sweets candy review will consider the sweet pros and not-so-sweet cons:
Pros
- Wide variety of candies available in sweet, fruity, sour, and tangy flavors
- Healthier versions of classic treats
- Lower in sugar and calories than other brands
- High fiber content
- Many vegan options
- Non-GMO, non-artificial, natural ingredients
- Majority of customers report that these sweets taste great and have a good texture
- Refunds on first order within 7 days of receiving it
Cons
- Not diabetic-friendly
- Much pricier than other brands
- High fiber amount can cause stomach issues
- Company site does not ship internationally
Now, let’s get into the good stuff. Whether your favorite sweets are bears, worms, melons, peaches, vines, or fish, this brand offers delicious candy that embodies your childhood favorites. But, they’ve been upgraded to include more fiber and less sugar. Up next, this Smart Sweets candy review will cover its top-selling options.
Smart Sweets Candy Review
Bears, watermelons, fish—oh my! The brand offers a wide range of sweet, tangy, and sour candy that will make your taste buds happy, as well as your waistline. Up next, this Smart Sweets candy review will introduce you to its best-selling options.
FYI, all of the candies listed below cost $20 per 6 bags or $40 per 12 bags. Each package contains one serving of gummy goodness, so throw ‘em in your purse, gym bag, or wherever else you can easily grab them from when the sugar cravings hit.
Smart Sweets Fruity Gummy Bears Review
You can think of the Smart Sweets Fruity Gummy Bears as the upgraded version of your favorite childhood snack. But, just because the brand lowered the sugar doesn’t mean it cut out the taste—each hot pink package is loaded with natural flavors like raspberry, apple, lemon, and peach.
In fact, one bag o’ bears contains just 4g of sugar and 110 calories. With approximately 25 fruity friends per pack, you’ll also get 9g of fiber—which is pretty unheard of in sweet treats. The top ingredient is IMO, which contributes to both the sweetness and fiber.
Smart Sweets Sourmelon Bites Review
Sour watermelon candies are the epitome of Summer. Luckily, the brand’s version of this hot-weather snack is gelatin-free, so vegans can still munch on the sour melony goodness. Plus, one hot pink and neon green bag has only 3g of sugar and 100 calories. So, you can indulge in this classic treat without the guilt.
The top ingredient in the Smart Sweets watermelon candy is soluble corn fiber, so it should come as no surprise that one package of 20 gummies has 13g of fiber. For context, you’ll be consuming a whopping 46% of your daily dose.
Smart Sweets Peach Rings Review
Why snack on a real peach when you can enjoy the healthier version of this classic treat. If you’re a big fan of the fuzzy fruit, have both—we don’t judge! The Smart Sweets Peach Rings are just as reminiscent of your favorite non-diet-friendly candy but are infused with ingredients that are much better for you.
With 3g of sugar, 13g of fiber, and 100 calories per the (approximate) 10 rings in each bag, you can enjoy this fruity treat without the fear of a sugar crash afterward. Instead, they are sweetened with natural alternatives: monk fruit, stevia, and allulose.
Vegans can rejoice, as the Smart Sweets Peach Rings get their jelly texture from carnauba wax, not gelatin.
Smart Sweets Sweet Fish Review
This turquoise bag is filled with Smart Sweets’s ultimate bestseller, Sweet Fish. Though each gummy is fish-shaped, this candy is vegan- and vegetarian-friendly—phew! They taste nothing like fish and everything like sweet red berry-ness.
You get about 10 fishies per bag, which offers 100 calories, 3g of sugar, and 13g of fiber. This option is one of the more fiber-heavy ones, with soluble corn fiber as the top ingredient. So, if you’re sensitive, go for something lighter like the Fruity Gummy Bears.
Smart Sweets Sour Gummy Bears Review
We’ve covered fruity bears, but Smart Sweets didn’t leave sours behind. The Sour Gummy Bears offer the same flavors as the fruity version, just, you know, sour: raspberry, apple, lemon, and peach.
Multicolored, multi-flavored fun. Well, unless you’re vegetarian or vegan because this option does contain gelatin. For about 25 bears in each bag, you’ll be eating 4g of sugar, 9g of fiber, and 110 calories.
Smart Sweets Sour Blast Buddies Review
Our mouth is salivating at the thought of the Smart Sweets Sour Blast Buddies. Offering another unique twist on a classic candy, you can actually feel good about popping these in your mouth.
This treat will blast your tastebuds with five sour flavors: blue raspberry, berry, lime, lemon, and orange. No gelatin here, but the top ingredient is soluble corn fiber. So, for 25 buddies you’re getting 13g of fiber. This diet-friendly treat also contains 3g of sugar and 100 calories.
Smart Sweets Peach Ring Sticker Review
For those who are truly passionate about munching on low-sugar, low-cal, high-fiber treats, you can share your passion with the world by sporting the Smart Sweets Peach Ring Sticker. Just don’t stick it on real peaches—that would be weird, even for you…
Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait to show off your peachy pride, because this option is currently sold out.
Smart Sweets Halloween Sticker Sheet Review
Halloween is the holiday of candy (Valentine’s doesn’t compare, sorry), but if you’re sugar-conscious, then this spooky night might be less than fun.
With Smart Sweets, you can still gobble sweet treats. To celebrate, stick these Halloween stickers wherever. Each sheet features goofy pumpkins, witchy spell books, friendly ghosts, colorful spiders, and, of course, your favorite low-calorie candies.
The Halloween Sticker Sheet is currently sold out. But, we expect them to be back in stock once Autumn hits.
Smart Sweets Build A Box Review
Smart Sweets addicts, this product is for you. Sure, getting 6-12 of one flavor is great, but what if you have more than one favorite? Well, the Build a Box lets you customize your own treat delivery with 14-28 bags of your choosing.
Customers can add Red Twists, Gummy Worms, Sour Blast Buddies, or any of the other five candies. If you haven’t jumped on the Smart Sweets bandwagon yet, this customizable box allows you to try each of its flavors.
The Smart Sweets box a box will run you $46-92, depending on which size you choose. That works out to roughly $3 per serving.
Are Smart Sweets Actually Healthy?
The answer to whether or not Smart Sweets are actually healthy depends on what your health goals are. Technically, they are better for you than regular sweets that are packed with sugar. But, this does not make the candy actually healthy—it’s still candy.
Plus, the low sugar count isn’t a universal solution. For those who need it the most, like diabetics, there is still enough to raise your blood sugar.
The fact that they contain a high amount of fiber isn’t necessarily a health yippee either. The amount of fiber is so high that it will cause gastro side effects for many of us, even if you don’t have IBS or a generally sensitive tummy.
The short answer is no, Smart Sweets aren’t really healthy. Are they worse than regular candy? Probably not, depending on what your health goals are. If you absolutely cannot control yourself around sweets, then these might serve as a good pre-portioned swap.
But, the fact that these candies are marketed as a guilt-free snack is problematic at best, because this mindset encourages an unhealthy relationship with food. These candies encourage you to think about foods as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and attach shame towards the act of eating. For most of us, the best solution to overeating sweets is just to moderate, not restrict.
What Are Smart Sweets Sweetened With?
So, if they aren’t sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners, what are they sweetened with? We’re glad you asked! They are sweetened with plant-based soluble fibers, plant-based sweeteners, natural fruit flavor, and non-digestible carbs. One of the main sugar-like Smart Sweets ingredients is a non-digestible carb called IMO or isomalto-oligosaccharides.
Can Diabetics Eat Smart Sweets?
The brand addresses diabetics by simply stating that blood sugar levels “should increase the expected amount” for the information provided in the Smart Sweets nutrition facts. But, this doesn’t really provide full transparency for diabetics who are interested in the snacks.
Reviews on Amazon and elsewhere from diabetic customers claim that the sweet treats significantly raised their blood sugar levels and advised other diabetics not to purchase the Smart Sweets low sugar candy.
Smart Sweets Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Our Smart Sweets candy review just wouldn’t be complete without the opinions of real tasters, would it? So, we’ve sourced testimonials from the brand’s website, Amazon, and Influenster, that reveal important details about the taste, texture, and nutritional composition of the company’s candies. Let’s get into the positives first.
On the brand’s website, most of its products have been rated hundreds of times. Collectively, they average about 4.2/5 stars. Customers report a yummy taste, fun flavors, and that they’re convenient for low-sugar and low-cal peeps. Here’s an overview:
- Sour Blast Buddies: an average of 4.2/5 stars from 627 ratings
- Fruity Gummy Bears: an average of 4.7/5 stars from 480 ratings
- Peach Rings: an average of 4.1/5 stars from 318 ratings
- Sweet Fish: an average of 3.8/5 stars from 693 ratings
- Sour Gummy Bears: an average of 4.6/5 stars from 550 ratings
- Lollipops: an average of 4.8/5 stars from 224 ratings
- Smart Sweets Gummy Worms: an average of 4.6/5 stars from 115 ratings
- Red Twists: an average of 4.5/5 stars from 199 ratings
- Sourmelon Bites: an average of 3.8/5 stars from 33 ratings
We chose to dive deeper into one of the company’s most-rated products, the Sweet Fish. Positive testimonials report that they are tasty and perfect for followers of the Keto diet. One customer was ecstatic to find a plant-based candy that actually tastes good:
“I love organic & plant-based foods but had never found candy that tastes this good with comparable nutrition. The serving size is generous too. I continue to be amazed at how tasty these candies are while also being plant-based, high in fiber, and much lower in sugar than other candies. Always my go-to! Looking forward to future creations!”
On Amazon, the Sour Gummy Bears, have a rating of 3.7/5 stars. Some customers rave about the awesome chewiness, intense sourness, and the happy advantage of yumminess without loads of sugar.
On Influenster, the Fruity Gummy Bears got a 4.5/5 star rating from 187 customers. Many shoppers are delighted to discover that they taste like their unhealthy muse: “These taste exactly like the original sour gummy bears you grew up on but even better.”
All in all, a majority of customers love the taste and texture of each of the brand’s candies. Plus, they love that they’re low-cal and pre-portioned. But, if you’re sensitive to fiber, this Smart Sweets review thinks you should think twice before downing a bag.
Is Smart Sweets Worth It?
Our conclusion from this Smart Sweets review is that the brand might be worth it for some customers. If you have a hard time saying no to treats and are trying to live a healthier lifestyle, then this company’s low-sugar and pre-portioned packs are worth keeping on hand.
But, these treats are not a solution to a healthy diet—if you’re looking for health, look at the fruit and veggies aisle. And, if you’re looking for fiber, look for fibrous whole foods. But, for those moments when a sweets craving hits, Smart Sweets might be your new go-to.
Finally, we should mention the price. Even customers who were satisfied by the delicious treats were put down by the price, which runs about 3x higher than your classic childhood candies. But, Smart Sweets uses natural ingredients, unlike the chemical-filled alternatives.
To conclude, this Smart Sweets review thinks that this brand’s candy can definitely be incorporated into a healthy diet unless you’re sensitive to high amounts of fiber. But, don’t rely on them for the basis of your nutritional intake.
Smart Sweets Promotions & Discounts
Right now, if you sign up for the brand’s newsletter, you’ll get free shipping on your first order (minimum spend is $30).
The newsletter is also a surefire way to make sure you’re not missing any other sweet deals. Or, you can follow the company’s social media pages for more updates on the next Smart Sweets coupon code.
Where To Buy Smart Sweets
Depending on whether you live in the US or in Canada, you can shop directly from SmartSweets.com or SmartSweets.ca. Other online retailers include Amazon and Vitasave.
But online isn’t the only option for Smart Sweets. You can also purchase its products in-store at Whole Foods, GNC, Target, Kroger, The Vitamin Shoppe, Popeye’s, GNC, Save on Foods, London Drugs, Bed Bath & Beyond, Rexall, Sobeys, and Loblaws.
FAQ
Where is Smart Sweets head office?
The Smart Sweets head office is located in Vancouver, British Columbia.
What are Smart Sweets sweetened with?
Smart Sweets candies are each formulated differently, so not all feature the same sweeteners. Generally speaking, the candy is sweetened with plant-based soluble fibers, plant-based sweeteners, natural fruit flavor, and non-digestible carbs.
The two most common natural sweeteners used are:
- IMO (isomalto-oligosaccharides)
- Soluble corn fiber
These ingredients are present in most of the brand’s products.
Do Smart Sweets raise blood sugar?
Yes, Smart Sweets products do raise blood sugar. There are many customer reviews from diabetics who report a concerning increase in blood sugar levels, so beware. Just because these are low-sugar candies doesn’t mean they are diabetic-friendly.
Are Smart Sweets sugar-free?
No, Smart Sweets are not completely sugar-free. They are low in sugar, usually 3g-4g per serving, with the rest of the sweetness accounted for by natural sweeteners like IMO and soluble corn fiber.
Are Smart Sweets high in carbs?
Smart Sweets has recently updated its ingredients to be more keto-friendly. They definitely aren’t carb-free, but they aren’t purely carbs either. It all depends on your definition of high in carbs. Most of the candies have 42g of total carbohydrates while others have a slightly lower count of 36g.
Do Smart Sweets have artificial colors?
No, Smart Sweets don’t have artificial colors. The brand uses fruit and veggie juices to get its sweets popping with color!
Will Smart Sweets make me poop?
Uhhhh….good question. The answer is probably yes. Here’s the thing: each bag has a pretty hefty amount of fiber in it, sometimes nearly 50% of your daily recommended amount.
Whether or not you’re sensitive to high amounts of fiber, it’s pretty likely these are gonna make you poop. Some customers have complained about tummy bubbly feelings after eating a bag, too.
If you’re incorporating more fiber into your diet, it’s always a good idea to start slow. So, you might want to start with just a couple of candies a day, rather than a whole package.
Is Smart Sweets keto-friendly?
Smart Sweets are mostly keto-friendly if you’re careful with how much you consume. The brand is actively trying to make its recipes as low-carb as possible. Most candy bags have 36g-42g of total carbohydrates.
What is Smart Sweets’ Shipping Policy?
Smart Sweets ships to the continental US (all the states besides Alaska and Hawaii). The shipping costs depend on where you live. Good news though: you can get free shipping on your first order (over $30) if you sign up for the newsletter.
What is Smart Sweets’ Return Policy?
If it’s your first order, you’ll be able to ask for a refund within 7 days of receiving your candy. After that initial order, all items are always final sale. There are no exchanges for any products.
How to Contact Smart Sweets
If you have any questions after reading this Smart Sweets review, you can contact the brand through:
- Email: hello@smartsweets.com
- Contact form; available on the brand’s site
Looking for more ways to satisfy your sweet tooth? Then check out Candy Club, a monthly subscription that ensures your sugar stash will never run dry.
