Here's one way to get some attention at work: Bring in a plate of sugarless desserts from the new Sweet Nothings bakery at 1218 Waimanu St. (between Pensacola and Pi'ikoi). This tiny store (four parking spaces) employs commercially available sweeteners to prepare cakes, pies, pastries and candies and also serves coffee, tea, water, soft drinks and energy drinks (there are a couple of small tables).

They're not telling exactly what sweeteners they use, but they do reveal that they combine the products to create their own proprietary blend and confirmed that some "sugar alcohols" are used.

Sugar alcohols, or polyols, are made from plant products (bark, fruits, berries) and contain fewer calories than sugar. They are metabolized more slowly than sugar so don't cause a sudden increase in blood sugar, making them safer for diabetics. Sugar-free doesn't mean fat-free; Sweet Nothings is working on getting nutritional analyses of their products so you can count calories, fat and carbs.

During a couple of taste tests, Advertiser staffers agreed that the pastries don't taste exactly like those made with sugar, but they are delicious, with none of the nasty aftertaste associated with some sugar substitutes. The taste is lighter, a bit less sweet. The chocolates lack a little of the gloss of true chocolates, and the texture isn't as melting. But, said one taster, enthusiastically: "If you nevah tell, no one would know."