Do Sugar-Free Sweets Have Hidden Sugars, or Are “No Added Sugar” Claims Misleading?

Sugar-free sweets are often marketed as healthier alternatives to traditional candies, with labels like “sugar-free” or “no added sugar.” However, these claims can be misleading if consumers do not understand the nuances behind food labeling and ingredients.

What Does “Sugar-Free” and “No Added Sugar” Mean?

A product labeled “sugar-free” can contain less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving but may still include other types of sweeteners, such as sugar alcohols (erythritol, sorbitol) or artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose). These ingredients provide sweetness without the blood sugar spike of regular sugar but still contribute calories and carbohydrates.

“No added sugar” means no sugars were added during processing, but the product may still contain naturally occurring sugars from ingredients like fruit juice concentrates or dairy. These sugars count toward your total sugar intake and can affect blood glucose levels, especially for people managing diabetes.

Hidden Sugars in Sugar-Free Products

Sugar-free sweets often contain:

• Sugar Alcohols: These sweeteners affect blood sugar differently but can add calories and may cause digestive issues when consumed in excess.

• Other Sweeteners: Ingredients like maltose, dextrose, or fruit juice concentrates may be present, adding hidden sugars even if not explicitly labeled as “sugar”.

• Naturally Occurring Sugars: Found in dairy or fruit-based ingredients, which count towards daily sugar intake despite “no added sugar” claims.

How to Be Aware and Make Informed Choices

• Read ingredient lists carefully for sweeteners ending in “-ol” or names like maltitol, erythritol.

• Check the nutrition label for total carbohydrate and sugar alcohol content, not just the “sugar” line.

• Pay attention to serving sizes; multiple servings increase sugar intake.

• Understand that “no added sugar” does not mean sugar-free.

• Opt for whole foods and minimally processed snacks to avoid hidden sweeteners.

References:

1. https://www.artinci.com/blogs/news/the-sneaky-sweeteners-are-there-hidden-sugars-in-sugar-free-foods
2. https://www.freepik.com/vectors/diabetes-sweetsnack-moderation
3. https://www.parkview.com/blog/the-sour-side-of-sugar-free-candy
4. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/healthy-eating/spotting-hidden-sugars-in-everyday-foods.html