Are you the person who always seems to find candy ruining an otherwise healthy diet? Maybe it's because you have fond childhood memories of those little five-cent candies you used to buy in the gas station or those gummy candies just really satisfy your craving for something sweet, candy is a downfall for many people.

The good news is that most candy is relatively fat free meaning gram for gram it's lower in calories that higher fat items such as chips or chocolate. However, the bad news is that candy is made out of purely refined sugar and will therefore wreak havoc on your insulin levels. To you this is going to really spell trouble in the war against body fat.

You can slightly reduce the harmful effects of eating candy by first monitoring how much of it you eat (therefore preventing carb overload) and then secondly being sure to consuming it with a protein containing food so that the sugar isn't released into the blood quite as quickly. Unfortunately however most of the time when you are noshing on candy, you aren't eating lean protein with it. If anything you're drinking yet more simple carbs in the form of soda. It's a dietary disaster waiting to happen!

An even better alternative to the above would be making your own low-calorie candy. The following does just that and barely has any calories to boot - and the calories it does have, are strictly from protein. It really is a candy-a-holic's dream come true.

Low Sugar Gummi Worms

2 packages sugar free Jell-O

2 packages plain gelatine

1 cup boiling water

First stir all the ingredients together until they are completed dissolved. Then pour this mixture onto a large dinner plate that has curved elevated edges and place in the fridge. It will only take about 20 minutes or so to set and then you're ready to eat! Slice them into worms and serve.

The whole entire recipe contains a mere 50 calories and has 12 grams of protein. Note that if you want to make 'sour' gummy candy you can simply add a packet of kool-aid mix in before it sets.

If you are looking for a higher protein alternative sweet snack and still want a jelly like consistency try 'Protein Jell-O'.

Sugar Free Jell-O

1 package sugar free Jell-O

1 scoop fruit flavoured protein powder

2 cups boiling water

Prepare the Jell-O according to package directions. Next stir in the fruit flavoured protein powder and then transfer to a container to set. Note that it is important that you really stir the Jell-O well to ensure that the powder has fully dissolved. If the particular protein powder you have doesn't dissolve all that well with water (when you normally make a shake), you may want to pre-mix it with a blender with the 1 cup of cold water before adding to the Jello-O and 1 cup boiling water (as per directions on package).

So next time you have a sweet craving, give either of these recipes a try. Dieting doesn't have to be difficult so long as you put the time and effort into coming up with creative solutions.