All DietsWhat You Should Know
Ayds was a candy bar that enjoyed immense success in the US during the early 1970’s and early 1980’s. Ayds was a different type of candy bar as it was in fact, according to the manufacturers, an appetite suppressing candy bar. However with the emergence of AIDs in the 1980s, the company that manufactured the Ayds candy bar became the target of criticism and mockery and the candy bar became the centre of controversy. The reason being that the name of the candy bar, when pronounced, resembled phonetically the word, ‘Aids.’ The consequence was a decrease in the sales of Ayds bars, and in 1988 the candy bar was renamed, ‘Diet Ayds’ in the US and Aydslim in the United Kingdom. However the slump in sales continued despite the change in name and it was eventually withdrawn from the market. Recently, vintage Ayds commercials have enjoyed a resurgence in internet popularity.
Ingredients
The main active ingredient in the Ayds candy bar was Benzocaine.
Product Features
Before the controversy of the 1980’s that had an unintentionally disastrous effect on this weight loss candy bar, the Ayds bar enjoyed enormous success. It was available in a number of flavours such a Chocolate, Chocolate Mint, Butter Scotch, Caramel and Peanut Butter. The main active ingredient in Ayds was Benzocaine. Benzocaine is, in fact, a local anaesthetic that provides topical pain relief. As a result of the anaesthetic’s effect on the taste buds it was said to have appetite suppressing properties. It was available for sale in drug stores and it was directed to be eaten just before a meal. A number of weight loss websites mention this candy bar and there are some nostalgic musings on a number of comment pages of these websites from those who remember the bar and who used to buy it. Old television commercials for the Ayds Candy bar are also enjoying a resurgence on the web. One can only wonder if Ayds bars would still be popular (or even legal!) today if they had picked another name back in the 70’s.
Advantages
- Ayds candy bars were reasonably priced.
- Apparently they had a pleasant taste.
- Benzocaine which was one of the major active ingredients in Ayds, and is known to have appetite suppressing qualities.
Disadvantages
- The Ayds candy bar is no longer available for sale.
- We do not have any proof that it did actually procure weight loss.
- There is no proof that it was actually superior to other weight loss products on the market today.
- The name of the bar phonetically resembled the word “Aids” and a number of people found this in bad taste, even if it was unintentional.
Conclusion
Of course, even if you would like to give the Ayds bar a try this will not be possible as it is no longer for sale. It seems, however, that many women who actually used this bar are lamenting the fact that it was withdrawn from the market. A sign perhaps that many prefer simple weight loss products such as an appetite suppressing candy bar rather than the range of complicated weight loss programs and diets on the market today.
I used Ayds back in the 70’s and it really help me lose weight. I wish they still had it. It was the best thing for me
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Ayds was around before Aids which has no relationship. People should not be offended of the name. I would like to see Ayds candy product come back I had lost 50lbs with them and then it helped me to maintain the weight loss. I would love to have them available again. Bring them back if not under the same name so nobody gets offended. Thanks
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My mom used Ayds candies to help supress her appitite when she worked. I used to sneak them from her purse myself as a teenager. I loved the carmel ones. I would like to see them come back under a different name too. I think if there were more nutrients in them as well it could be marketed as a supplement like the calcium chews are. they could even help overweight children.
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Aydes candy did indeed control my weight in HS. I bet a lot of kids today would not be obese if that product was on the market. It definitely worked.Simply to use, good taste just change the name and bring it back please!
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Ayds Best Stuff for Weight Loss, Too Bad, I lost 50 lbs with it back in the 70’s and now I am back to that weight loss need and can’t find anything that works. I have wondered what happen to it. Moved south and thought it was only available in the north.
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