There are several sugar free fudge pops on the market for people looking for frozen treats without added sugars. Major brands like Popsicle and store brands have released no sugar added or low sugar fudge pops to appeal to health-conscious consumers. In many cases, sugar substitutes like sucralose or stevia are used in place of high fructose corn syrup or cane sugar to sweeten these pops.
Types of Sugar Free Fudge Pops
Here are some of the main types of sugar free fudge pops available:
- Popsicle No Sugar Added Fudge Pops – These fudge pops from the popular Popsicle brand contain 5 calories and 0g sugar per pop. They are sweetened with sucralose and contain no high fructose corn syrup.
- Skinny Cow Fudge Pops – Skinny Cow makes a line of low calorie frozen treats, including fudge pops made with sugar substitutes like sucralose and containing 60 calories and 2g sugar per pop.
- No Sugar Added Fudge Bars – Many grocery store chains like Kroger, Safeway, and Harris Teeter sell store brand fudge pops sweetened with sugar substitutes under their no sugar added frozen treat lines.
- Yasso Fudge Greek Frozen Yogurt Bars – While not technically sugar free, Yasso’s fudge bars are sweetened with cane sugar and contain 5g sugar per bar.
- Halo Top Fudge Bars – Low calorie brand Halo Top makes dairy based fudge bars sweetened with erythritol containing 60-70 calories and around 5g sugar per bar.
Ingredients in Sugar Free Fudge Pops
Sugar free fudge pops utilize artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, and low calorie sweeteners to reduce or eliminate calories and added sugars. Here are some common ingredients found in sugar free fudge pops:
- Water – Provides structure and bulk to turn the pops from liquid to solid.
- Nonfat milk or cream – Dairy products like skim milk or cream provide rich flavor and texture.
- Cocoa or chocolate flavoring – Cocoa powder or chocolate extracts give fudge pops their signature chocolate taste.
- Sucralose – An artificial sweetener known as Splenda that provides sweetness without calories or blood sugar impact.
- Acesulfame potassium – An artificial sweetener that is often combined with sucralose in sugar free products.
- Sugar alcohols like erythritol – Sugar alcohols like erythritol provide sweetness while resisting digestion to minimize calorie impact.
- Natural flavors – Can help enhance chocolate or other flavors.
- Coloring agents – Added for aesthetic purposes to achieve desired shade of brown.
- Emulsifiers – Help evenly blend water and fat compounds for smooth, uniform texture.
- Stabilizers – Assist in retaining ideal frozen consistency.
By using non-nutritive sweeteners, sugar free fudge pops remove the high amounts of added sugar found in regular fudge pops.
Nutrition Facts of Sugar Free Fudge Pops
Since they lack conventional sugars, sugar free fudge pops are very low in calories and carbohydrates compared to regular fudge pops. However, nutrition can vary by brand based on specific ingredients used.
Here are the nutrition facts for a typical sugar free fudge pop:
- Calories: 60-70
- Fat: 0-2g
- Carbohydrates: 12-15g
- Sugar: 0-2g
- Protein: 1-2g
As you can see, calories and sugar content are minimal. Sugar alcohols may contribute to the carb content while providing sweetness with reduced calorie impact compared to regular sugars.
Glycemic Impact
One of the main benefits of sugar free popsicles and fudge pops is their extremely low glycemic impact. Since they contain no added sugars, they will not cause spikes in blood glucose levels.
This makes them safe for people with diabetes monitoring their sugar intake. It also means they are unlikely to lead to energy crashes in the way high glycemic foods can.
However, some sugar alcohols like maltitol can still elicit a moderate glycemic response. But overall, sugar free fudge pops have a very low effect on blood sugar compared to traditional pops.
Taste and Texture
The two biggest considerations with sugar free fudge pops are taste and texture. Because they lack regular sugars, achieving the ideal sweet flavor and smooth fudgy texture can be a challenge.
Many brands use an array of artificial sweeteners and emulsifiers to try to mimic the tastiness of sugary pops. Some come closer to hitting the mark than others.
In general, stevia sweetened fudge pops tend to have less of an aftertaste than those made with sucralose. Sugar alcohols like erythritol provide better texture and bulk.
While the taste and texture of sugar free fudge pops may not be identical to full sugar versions, many brands come acceptably close for people wanting to cut back on sugar.
Price
Sugar free fudge pops tend to cost a bit more than regular popsicles and fudge bars. You can expect to pay around $3.50 to $5.50 for a box of sugar free fudge pops with 6-12 pops per box.
Here are the price ranges for some popular brands:
- Popsicle No Sugar Added Fudge Pops: $3.50-$4.00 for 8 pops
- Skinny Cow Fudge Pops: $4.50-$5.50 for 6 pops
- No Sugar Added Store Brand Pops: $3.00-$4.00 for 12 pops
- Yasso Greek Yogurt Fudge Bars: $4.50-$5.00 for 8 bars
- Halo Top Fudge Bars: $4.50-$5.00 for 4 bars
While costing a bit more than regular fudge pops, many consumers feel the benefits of the no sugar added versions are worth the slightly higher price.
Availability
Years ago sugar free novelties like fudge pops were only found at specialty grocery stores like Whole Foods or health food stores. But today, the popularity of low and no sugar frozen treats has led them to become widely available.
You can now find an assortment of sugar free fudge pops at most major supermarkets across the US. Even convenience stores like 7-11 often carry selections of no sugar added frozen treats.
Some of the most ubiquitous options include Popsicle’s no sugar added fudge pops and Skinny Cow low calorie fudge pops. Store brand no sugar added fudge bars are also very easy to find.
The specialty brands like Yasso and Halo Top may be less available at standard grocers but can usually be found at Whole Foods or ordered online.
The wide availability makes sugar free fudge pops an accessible option for most households looking for low sugar frozen desserts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sugar free fudge pops Keto friendly?
Many sugar free fudge pops are keto friendly since they contain minimal carbs and sugars. Brands that use sugar alcohols like erythritol rather than sucrose and corn syrup will generally be compatible with a keto diet. But be sure to check nutrition labels, as some may contain higher carb counts.
Do sugar free fudge pops have aftertaste?
Some brands of sugar free fudge pops have more aftertaste than others depending on the specific sweeteners used. Pops sweetened with stevia tend to have less aftertaste than those using sucralose. Erythritol and other sugar alcohols provide better taste and texture. Aftertaste has diminished as sugar free sweeteners have improved.
Can kids eat sugar free fudge pops?
Yes, sugar free fudge pops are generally safe for kids to eat though it’s best to check with your pediatrician if you have concerns. Because they’re so low in sugars, they can be a good alternative to regular pops for children who need to watch their sugar intake without missing out on popsicles.
Do you need to refrigerate sugar free fudge pops?
Yes, sugar free fudge pops need to remain frozen just like regular fudge pops. Allowing them to thaw out can lead to a poor texture. Unopened boxes can be stored in the freezer. Once opened, leftover pops should go in the freezer in a sealed bag or container.
Can sugar free fudge pops cause gastrointestinal issues?
Some sugar alcohols like maltitol, sorbitol and mannitol can lead to laxative effects or gas and bloating when over-consumed. But most people can enjoy sugar free pops in moderation with no issues. Those sensitive to sugar alcohols may want to check labels and limit intake of these compounds.
Conclusion
Sugar free fudge pops provide a delicious frozen treat alternative for health conscious consumers looking to reduce added sugars and control carbs. Thanks to advances in sugar substitute technologies, it’s now possible to enjoy creamy, chocolatey fudge pops with minimal impact on blood glucose levels.
While they may cost a bit more than regular pops, leading brands of sugar free fudge pops mimic the timeless flavor of full sugar versions while using artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, and stevia extracts to provide sweetness instead of sugar. You can now find no sugar added and low calorie fudge pops widely available at most major grocery retailers.
If you love frozen fudge pops but want to cut down on your sugar intake, sugar free fudge pops offer a simple ready-made option to satisfy your sweet tooth without the excess sugars.
