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Diabetic-focused bakery creates sweet treats without the sugar

Las Vegas business owner Janet Dietz may be sweet on confections, but don t expect the line of goodies she peddles at her store, Mrs. Williams Diabetic Delights, 3466 S. Decatur Blvd., to be loaded with sugar.

Dietz has been in business for 20 years and said the decades of dedication to her craft have provided positive results.

It really took a while to get in the groove of things, but it has paid off, she said.

Dietz said she first got the idea to open the store after watching what her diabetic husband and seizure-stricken son were being fed in the form of confections.

It was terrible, she said .

Dietz said she opened Mrs. Williams (her maiden name) with the idea that she could create sweets that wouldn t simply be tasty but also would sell.

I spent hours and days and weeks in the kitchen perfecting my recipes, she said. I finally did. Now, I would challenge anyone to put our foods up against those made with actual sugars. You can t tell the difference. Ours are just healthier and have less calories.

Dietz said she uses a variety of sugar substitutes in her baking, including artificial sweeteners.

The store has become a weekly stop on the way home for Marcy Iscalue, who said she isn t diabetic but fancies the sugarless sweets as a part of a diet routine that has helped her to shed more than 30 pounds so far.

The great thing about these foods is that they are sort of guilt-free, she said. They don t taste like cardboard, which is the problem with so many sugar-free products. They all taste like you re eating something that should be used in packing supplies or something. That hasn t been the case with what I ve found here.

Iscalue said she is a fan of the store s eclairs, in particular.

I just think they re great, she said.

According to Dietz, the store features everything from cream puffs to cheesecakes and danishes to turnovers.

We also have a full line of chocolates and candies, she added .

Dietz said the baked goods are all made on site daily.

I pride myself on our foods being fresh, she said.

Pierce Brimhaul is a diabetic who said he had all but given up on finding sweet foods he could actually enjoy until his girlfriend discovered the store last year.

I stock up on stuff when I can, he said. I m always afraid this place is going to disappear.

Dietz said the shop also makes special diabetic-friendly birthday cakes.

That is a big deal for someone who is used to having to forgo something like that on their birthday, she said. We can make cakes for other special occasions, too, in a variety of flavors and fillings. Our slogan has never changed: S weet so you don t have to cheat.

Dietz said she doesn t have any grand plans for expanding or franchising the shop, although customers often make the suggestion.

I m happy here with what I m doing, she said. I feel like I m creating a service that is needed and appreciated. I love what I do. I have no idea why I would ever want to change a thing.

Contact Southwest and Spring Valley View reporter Amanda Donnelly at adonnelly@viewnews.com or 380-4535.

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