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Ayds Weight-Loss Candy
Status: Real
On Google video there are a couple of commercials from the early 80s touting a weight-loss product called Ayds. (An Ayds radio commercial can be heard here.) The name of the product is so unfortunate, that it makes the ads sound like Saturday Night Live skits, with lines such as: "Ayds helps you control your appetite so you lose weight... Why take diet pills when you can enjoy Ayds?... Ayds helps you lose weight safely and effectively!"However, the ads are totally real, as was the product. Many of you might even remember it (though I don't). Ayds was an appetite-suppressant candy that came in chocolate, butterscotch and caramel flavors. During the 70s it was one of the top-selling weight-loss products. But then along came AIDS. In 1983 Time Magazine reported retailers as saying that "the disease is not hurting the product... Ayds sales have never been better." However, by 1988 the Associated Press was reporting that Ayds sales were down 50 percent, because of the similarity between its name and AIDS. This prompted the maker of the candy to change its name to Diet Ayds. The AP reported "Dep chairman Robert Berglass told the AP the company wanted to soften the name without completely changing it and losing identification. Sales were moving back up, he said, but he was reluctant to predict a full recovery." Evidently the candy didn't make a recovery, but I can't find any record of exactly when it ceased being sold.
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
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I'm reminded of the South Park episode, featuring Jared, the guy from the Subway commercials..
It's revealed that he lost a lot of that weight because he had a couple of aides.. and in fact, he thinks everybody should get aides to help them lose weight and feel great!
Posted by Bobcat on Tue Feb 21, 2006 at 10:47 PM
It's revealed that he lost a lot of that weight because he had a couple of aides.. and in fact, he thinks everybody should get aides to help them lose weight and feel great!
My father (Ayds!)
My sister (Ayds!)
My uncle and my cousin and her best friend (Ayds! Ayds! Ayds!)
The gays and the straights
And the white and the spades
Everyone has Ayds!
Ayds! Ayds! Ayds! Ayds! Ayds!
etc.
Posted by outeast on Wed Feb 22, 2006 at 12:16 AM
My sister (Ayds!)
My uncle and my cousin and her best friend (Ayds! Ayds! Ayds!)
The gays and the straights
And the white and the spades
Everyone has Ayds!
Ayds! Ayds! Ayds! Ayds! Ayds!
etc.
I remember these commercials as well as how quickly they were pulled and the product taken off the shelves. I always thought it was so sad that they had the misfortune to choose that name.
Posted by Charybdis in Hell on Wed Feb 22, 2006 at 07:10 AM
I remember these _way_ long before AIDS. They were around for some time. I used to eat them. They tasted pretty good.
Posted by Bill on Wed Feb 22, 2006 at 07:48 AM
Heck, I remember WAY back when the product was actually spelled Aids. My grandmother was addicted to those things, even though she never lost a pound in her entire 86 years.
Posted by Ima Fish on Wed Feb 22, 2006 at 09:11 AM
I remember AYDS Candy well. It was constantly advertised on the cheaper TV channels for about 20 years, until, as Alex says, there happened to be a global pandemic of a virus known as AIDS, which, as a matter of fact, also causes rapid weight loss (the popular name in several African countries for HIV/AIDS is "Slim").
I also remember, somewhat less vividly, several organizations with names having the acronyms "AID" or "AIDS", most of which ended up changing their names by the end of the 1980s, because (1) there was a serious stigma attached to having AIDS in the early years of the pandemic, and (2) the names were confusing for organizations that had nothing to do with preventing or treating HIV infections.
Posted by Big Gary, on another quail hunt in Dallas, Texas, USA on Wed Feb 22, 2006 at 11:01 AM
I also remember, somewhat less vividly, several organizations with names having the acronyms "AID" or "AIDS", most of which ended up changing their names by the end of the 1980s, because (1) there was a serious stigma attached to having AIDS in the early years of the pandemic, and (2) the names were confusing for organizations that had nothing to do with preventing or treating HIV infections.
I remember Ayds; I worked in a drugstore in the early 80s, and we sold them. I also remember a rumor in the 70s that they contained tapeworms, and that was what caused you to lose weight.
Posted by Elizabeth in MA on Wed Feb 22, 2006 at 11:41 AM
Supposedly AYDS candy contained an appetite supressant. I don't think the advertisements ever said what the active ingredient was (nicotine? cocaine?). You were supposed to eat the candy about a half hour before meal time, and then you wouldn't be as hungry. I don't know if it really worked, but I don't remember there being any shortage of overweight people while AYDS was popular.
Posted by Big Gary, on another quail hunt in Dallas, Texas, USA on Wed Feb 22, 2006 at 03:06 PM
My mom used to buy those and my sister and I would sneak one every now and then. I remember the chocolate mint kind - they were pretty good.
Posted by Average Jane on Fri Feb 24, 2006 at 03:11 PM
According to this:
http://www.nutriwatch.org/09Reg/FTC/weight.html
Ayds dates back to at least 1944, assuming that I am reading the page correctly and that it is correct. Ayds has Benzocaine in it, which is a topical anaesthetic (it numbs the point of contact). Presumably the idea is that the Benzocaine will numb your stomach, although I would expect this to actually increase your appetite, as you would feel less full.
I assume the act of eating anything shortly before a meal would make you feel less hungry, which might explain why people continued taking Ayds. Have a cup of tea instead.
It's also worth noting that Cancer is a sign of the Zodiac; they haven't changed the name yet, but it can only be a matter of time. I have spoken to a man called De'Ath.
Posted by Ashley Pomeroy on Sat Feb 25, 2006 at 05:49 AM
http://www.nutriwatch.org/09Reg/FTC/weight.html
Ayds dates back to at least 1944, assuming that I am reading the page correctly and that it is correct. Ayds has Benzocaine in it, which is a topical anaesthetic (it numbs the point of contact). Presumably the idea is that the Benzocaine will numb your stomach, although I would expect this to actually increase your appetite, as you would feel less full.
I assume the act of eating anything shortly before a meal would make you feel less hungry, which might explain why people continued taking Ayds. Have a cup of tea instead.
It's also worth noting that Cancer is a sign of the Zodiac; they haven't changed the name yet, but it can only be a matter of time. I have spoken to a man called De'Ath.
If Benzocaine really was the active ingredient, I suppose it was meant to work by numbing your taste buds (on your tongue), not your stomach. I guess that would make food less appealing.
Posted by Big Gary, out to lunch on Sat Feb 25, 2006 at 09:47 AM
Not only do I remember Ayds, I used them for quite awhile thoughout my teenage years. What you supposed to do is eat one and drink a large glass of water. Along with numbing your tongue, the water made you feel full. Heck, you can just drink water before a meal and lose weight! Anyways, The Carlton company had a massive lawsuit filed against them by the FTC.
By the way, I found a box of 1950s Ayds on Ebay for 14.99. Sheesh!
http://goodee2shoes.blogspot.com/
Posted by Lori Gallego in Los Angeles, California on Tue Feb 28, 2006 at 08:05 PM
By the way, I found a box of 1950s Ayds on Ebay for 14.99. Sheesh!
http://goodee2shoes.blogspot.com/
i remember watching an Ayds commercial on webjunk 20. Its really sad to see this product with a name like this. so sad...
Posted by Eva in New York on Sat Mar 18, 2006 at 05:27 PM
Used Ayds in the late 60's. Worked great, wish they were still around.
Posted by Ismael Estrada in Posey California on Sat Mar 25, 2006 at 02:39 AM
Oh, My Gosh , you foolish people, I used Ayds,, has nothing to do with the other aids. It really works great . It was the only time I stayed thin. I wish I could buy it now. I bet many baby boomers do.
Posted by Catharina Meylin on Sat Mar 25, 2006 at 02:54 PM
I am with the last person--I wished I could find the diet candy Ayds it was awesome and it DID work!!
Posted by Tanya on Sat Jun 03, 2006 at 09:31 AM
Elizabeth in MA said: I remember Ayds; I worked in a drugstore in the early 80s, and we sold them. I also remember a rumor in the 70s that they contained tapeworms, and that was what caused you to lose weight.
Posted by Elizabeth in MA on Wed Feb 22, 2006 at 11:41 AM
=============================================
I remember them as well, and I remember the rumor about their containing tapeworm eggs!
I also grew up in MA, so perhaps it was a Massachusetts urban legend.
I'd forgotten all about "Ayds."
Hmph.
Posted by SoxSweepAgain in NYC on Mon Jun 26, 2006 at 09:24 AM
Posted by Elizabeth in MA on Wed Feb 22, 2006 at 11:41 AM
=============================================
I remember them as well, and I remember the rumor about their containing tapeworm eggs!
I also grew up in MA, so perhaps it was a Massachusetts urban legend.
I'd forgotten all about "Ayds."
Hmph.
I remember Ayds extremely well. I used to take them in the 70's. Boy how great it would be if they were still available. To bad the manufacturer doesn't read all the comments above and maybe they might just start selling them again. I would be the first one to buy as many as I can. They worked then and I am sure they would work now.
Posted by KATHY RIGGIO in FLORIDA on Wed Jul 26, 2006 at 07:00 AM
I remember the Ayds candy it work for me when I was a teenager in the 60's. I had a problem of always being called fat. So I taken my babysitting money and brought a box of the Ayds candy. This product work wonderfully for me because, I like sweets and my mother would want me to clean my plate for dinner. I would eat the candy and do as she said and still I was losing the weight. I did not know the company was not in business anymore. I really wish they were still there for me and many other that it help. I recent need to lose weight, this medication and nerves, cause me to want to eat more and the problems, stress. I really don't eat right and just need a little help. When taken the Adys candy, I would eat more salads and fruits. Please can someone tell the company or get a labatories to re-name or remake to help people who once had a success with this product. I hope you can help if not I'll do the best I can.
Posted by Janet Brooks in Missouri on Fri Sep 01, 2006 at 06:23 AM
I think Ayds is really helpful in weight loss. If you are looking for some more , you can get from this Brad's famous weight loss site.
Posted by Fast weight loss in NY on Tue Sep 26, 2006 at 08:22 PM
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