Ketchup is a condiment that many people enjoy on foods like French fries, burgers, hot dogs, and more. Heinz is one of the most popular ketchup brands, and they have made a variety of ketchup products over the years. One of their ketchup varieties that has been discontinued is their sugar free ketchup.
Heinz Sugar Free Ketchup History
Heinz first introduced a no sugar added ketchup in the 1980s called “Simply Heinz.” This ketchup contained about 1 gram of sugar per serving, significantly less than regular Heinz ketchup, which contains about 4 grams of sugar per serving. The Simply Heinz ketchup was sweetened mostly with maltodextrin instead of high fructose corn syrup or other added sugars.
In the early 2000s, Heinz went a step further and released a completely sugar free ketchup called “Heinz Tomato Ketchup – No Sugar Added.” This ketchup contained 0 grams of sugar per serving and was sweetened with sucralose, an artificial sweetener.
The Heinz no sugar added ketchup was marketed as a ketchup for people looking to reduce sugar in their diets. It provided the traditional tomato ketchup flavor but without any sugar. Heinz promoted it as being ideal for people with diabetes or those following low carb and keto diets.
Discontinuation of Heinz Sugar Free Ketchup
Unfortunately for fans of the no sugar added ketchup, Heinz discontinued production of it in the mid 2000s. The exact year it was discontinued seems to be unknown, but it was likely between 2004-2006.
Heinz has not provided an official reason for why they discontinued the sugar free ketchup. However, it was likely a business decision due to low consumer demand. Sugar free ketchup is considered a niche product, and the mainstream ketchup consumer expects a sweet taste that comes from sugar.
While the specially formulated sugar free ketchup was discontinued, Heinz continues to offer their “Simply Heinz” reduced sugar ketchup today. It has around half the sugar of regular Heinz ketchup.
Currently Available Heinz Reduced Sugar Ketchup Options
Here are some of the reduced sugar ketchup options Heinz produces today:
- Simply Heinz Ketchup – Contains 1 gram of sugar per serving
- Heinz No Salt Added Tomato Ketchup – Contains 3 grams of sugar per serving
- Heinz Organic Tomato Ketchup – Contains 4 grams of sugar per serving
While not completely sugar free, these ketchups contain 25-75% less sugar than regular Heinz Tomato Ketchup, which has 4 grams per serving.
Sugar Free Ketchup Alternatives
For those who want to entirely avoid sugar in ketchup, there are some sugar free ketchup options made by smaller specialty brands. These ketchups are sweetened with non-nutritive sweeteners instead of sugar.
Some sugar free ketchup alternatives include:
- Walden Farms Ketchup – Sweetened with Splenda
- Primal Kitchen Organic Ketchup – Sweetened with vinegar and stevia
- Sir Kensington’s Organic Ketchup – Sweetened with sugar alcohols
These ketchups cater to the sugar free and keto markets. However, some people feel they don’t provide the same flavor experience as traditional ketchup with sugar.
Making Your Own Sugar Free Ketchup
For complete control over ingredients, many people choose to make their own homemade sugar free ketchup. This allows you to customize the recipe to your taste and dietary needs.
Homemade sugar free ketchup is made by combining tomato paste, vinegar, seasonings, sugar substitute, and water. Some common sugar substitutes used include stevia, erythritol, xylitol, and allulose. The ketchup can be tweaked for thickness and flavor as desired.
Making your own allows you to avoid additives like high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners. However, it requires more work than buying pre-made ketchup.
Nutrition Facts of Heinz No Sugar Added vs Regular Ketchup
Here is a nutrition facts comparison of the discontinued Heinz no sugar added ketchup versus regular Heinz ketchup:
| Nutrient | Heinz No Sugar Added Ketchup | Heinz Tomato Ketchup |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 15 | 20 |
| Carbohydrates | 3g | 4g |
| Sugar | 0g | 4g |
| Sodium | 160mg | 190mg |
As you can see, the no sugar added ketchup had 0 grams of sugar compared to 4 grams in regular Heinz ketchup. However, it was still low in calories and carbohydrates overall due to the tomato base.
Should You Choose Sugar Free Ketchup?
Sugar free ketchup can be a good option for:
- People with health conditions like diabetes or metabolic syndrome where sugar intake should be limited
- Those following a low carb, keto, paleo, or other low sugar diet
- Anyone looking to reduce sugar for health or weight management
However, sugar free ketchup may taste different from what you’re used to with regular ketchup. Some may find the flavor unpleasant. It comes down to personal preference.
For most people, having ketchup occasionally likely won’t make a big impact on overall sugar intake. But those with specific dietary needs may benefit from choosing sugar free ketchup options.
Conclusion
Heinz discontinued their specially made sugar free ketchup years ago. However, they still offer some reduced sugar ketchup options today. These include Simply Heinz, Organic, and No Salt Added ketchups. While not completely sugar free, they contain 25-75% less sugar than original Heinz ketchup.
Those who want to completely avoid sugar in ketchup can look for specialty brands offering sugar free ketchup. Or they can make their own at home. When choosing ketchup, consider your specific nutritional needs and preferences for taste.
