Best Candy Innovation

If you've tried the high-protein, low-carbohydrate approach to weight loss -- and these days, it's hard to find someone who hasn't -- then you know that the toughest thing about Dr. Atkins' wacky but effective diet isn't eating plate after plate of meat but going without sweets. Sugar is banned in the low-carb cult, and for those with a sweet tooth, staying on the regimen can be torture. Lucky for us, Tom Ward lost a ton of weight by swearing off carbohydrates. Ward is president and chief operating officer of Russell Stover, the Kansas City-based candy giant, and he lost a reported 25 pounds on the Atkins plan. Imagine the dilemma of this Willy Wonka when he realized that his candy factories made nothing he could eat. Now, though, Ward -- and the rest of us -- can crave chocolate and have it, too. Since Russell Stover introduced its new line of sugar-free, low-carb candies this summer, the stuff has been selling out as fast as the company can make it. We're addicted to the peanut-butter cups, but the toffee squares are delicious, too. Sure, you'll pay more for them, but then, you shouldn't be eating so many anyway -- you're on a freakin' diet.