We eat most of these food regularly in our home. We do not have diabetes at ages 67 and 77. We eat lots of fruits and very little candy - except dark chocolate. The section on choc was interesting to me. I buy candied ginger and coat each piece with dark choc. They are very satisfying. I also make almond/sunflower seed/dark choc bark. Less choc but healthy nuts and seeds.
I have always found that rich foods did not cause a problem for me; sweet foods do. Fat inhibits the production of insulin. And water can be an antidote for too much sugar. As has been said, all the imitation sugars are toxic. Better to use your energy walking off a mini excess, than running to the toilet. Hard candies may be the worst of all for us. What about dried fruit - without sulfates - or apple slices, berries or other tasty-to-you fruits.
Are hard candies rather like smoking - something to have in your mouth long term? Is it sweet you want? Or would chewing on a piece of licorice root be a substitute? - also regulates blood sugar. OR chewing on something tasty that might take the place of the process of ingesting hard candy? Just a sudden thought I will be giving further consideration.