Sweet Baby Ray’s is a popular brand of barbecue sauce that offers both original and sugar-free varieties. For those watching their carb and sugar intake, the sugar-free option provides the classic Sweet Baby Ray’s flavor without all the added sugar. But exactly how many carbs are in Sweet Baby Ray’s sugar-free barbecue sauce? Let’s take a closer look.
Comparing Sweet Baby Ray’s Original and Sugar-Free Sauces
Sweet Baby Ray’s original barbecue sauce contains 40g of total carbohydrates per 1⁄4 cup serving. This includes:
– 36g of sugar
– 2g of dietary fiber
– 2g of sugar alcohols (xylitol)
Meanwhile, Sweet Baby Ray’s sugar-free barbecue sauce contains just 3g of net carbs per 2 tbsp (30ml) serving. The full nutrition facts are:
– 5g of total carbohydrates
– 2g of dietary fiber
– 0g of sugar
– 2g of sugar alcohols (xylitol)
So the sugar-free version contains drastically fewer carbs and sugar compared to the original Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce. Removing sugar allows the total carbs to decrease from 40g down to just 3g net carbs per serving.
Ingredients in Sugar-Free Sweet Baby Ray’s
What ingredients are used in Sweet Baby Ray’s sugar-free barbecue sauce to achieve such low carb and sugar counts?
Here is the full ingredients list:
– Tomato puree
– Vinegar
– Water
– Soybean oil
– Salt
– Spices
– Garlic powder
– Onion powder
– Xanthan gum
– Natural hickory smoke flavor
– Citric acid
– Tartaric acid
– Sucralose
– Acesulfame potassium
– Xylitol
Some key points:
– Tomato puree is used as the base along with vinegar and seasonings to provide classic barbecue flavor.
– Sugar is replaced with the artificial sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame potassium, which provide sweetness with minimal carbs and calories.
– Xylitol is used as a sugar alcohol sweetener. It contributes few carbs while also adding bulk and texture.
– Xanthan gum acts as a thickener to give the sugar-free sauce a rich, sticky texture similar to the high-sugar original.
So artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols allow Sweet Baby Ray’s to create a satisfyingly sweet, tangy barbecue sauce without the high carb and sugar content.
Nutrition Advantages of Sugar-Free Sweet Baby Ray’s
Choosing the sugar-free version offers several nutrition advantages:
– **Fewer carbs:** 3g net carbs per serving versus 40g in the original sauce. This allows people on low-carb, keto, or diabetic diets to enjoy Sweet Baby Ray’s flavor.
– **Less sugar:** 0g of sugar per serving compared to 36g in the regular Sweet Baby Ray’s. This benefits people avoiding sugar for health or dietary reasons.
– **Lower calorie:** 25 calories per 2 tbsp (30ml) serving instead of 60 calories. The reduced carb and sugar content directly lowers the calorie count.
– **Doesn’t spike blood sugar:** The minimal carbs, sugar alcohols, and lack of actual sugar means sugar-free Sweet Baby Ray’s won’t raise blood sugar levels. This makes it safe for diabetics.
So for anyone looking to watch their carb intake, blood sugar levels, or waistline, the sugar-free sauce is the clear winner nutritionally. You can pour on the Sweet Baby Ray’s flavor without the samecarb and sugar impact.
Uses for Sugar-Free Sweet Baby Ray’s
Sugar-free Sweet Baby Ray’s can be used as a lower carb substitute in all the same recipes and dishes you would use the original sauce for, including:
– Brushing on chicken, ribs, or pork during barbecue grilling or smoking
– Serving as a dipping sauce for chicken wings, tenders, or nuggets
– Drizzling over a bacon cheeseburger
– Using as a topping for meatloaf
– Adding flavor to pulled pork or shredded chicken
– Mixing into ground beef to make saucy Sloppy Joes
– Serving alongside low carb veggies like cauliflower, broccoli, or green beans
– Mixing with mayo for a creamy sugar-free salad dressing or sandwich spread
– Adding tangy flavor to coleslaw recipes
– Using as a base for keto-friendly barbecue sauces and marinades
The possibilities are endless thanks to the versatile tomatoey, tangy flavor profile. Anywhere you would normally reach for Sweet Baby Ray’s original sauce, you can now use the sugar-free version to make that dish lower carb and lower sugar.
Is Sugar-Free Sweet Baby Ray’s Keto-Friendly?
With only 3g net carbs and 0g sugar per serving, sugar-free Sweet Baby Ray’s is considered a keto-friendly barbecue sauce. It fits into a ketogenic diet plan allowing 25-50g of net carbs per day.
The small amount of carbs come mostly from the tomato puree rather than sugar or starch. Tomato-based sauces can fit into keto diets in moderation. And the sugar alcohol xylitol, while not zero-carb, has a low glycemic impact compared to regular sugar.
Just be mindful of portion sizes, as the carbs can add up fast if you overdo it on the sauce. Stick to a serving size of 2 tbsp (30ml) and factor the 3g net carbs into your daily counts.
You may see some people raise concerns over the onion powder and natural smoke flavor potentially containing hidden sugars or carbohydrates. However, ingredients this far down the list are found in very small amounts and have a negligible impact.
Overall, sugar-free Sweet Baby Ray’s is a flavorful way for keto dieters to add bold barbecue taste to proteins, vegetables, skillet meals, and more while remaining in ketosis.
Taste and Texture Comparison
Fans of original Sweet Baby Ray’s may wonder how the taste and texture compare to the sugar-free version.
Overall, the sugar-free sauce maintains the same balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky barbecue flavors – just without the overpowering sweetness.
Here’s a detailed taste breakdown:
– **Sweetness:** The sugar-free version isn’t overly sweet like the original due to the use of sugar-free sweeteners. It has a milder sweetness that complements the tanginess instead of overpowering it. Some Sweet Baby Ray’s fans may even find the original overly sweet.
– **Smoky flavor:** Signature barbecue smokiness from natural smoke flavoring comes through strongly in both the original and sugar-free sauces. No difference in smoky taste.
– **Tanginess:** Both sauces have a bright, tangy tomato flavor thanks to the tomato puree base and vinegar. The tang feels more pronounced in the sugar-free version since it’s not covered up by extreme sweetness.
– **Spices:** Warm spices like garlic and onion powder flavor both sauces and give them a savory kick. The sugar-free version seems to have a bit more prominent spice taste.
– **Consistency:** Sugar-free Sweet Baby Ray’s has a slightly thinner, more pourable consistency versus the very thick, sticky original sauce. But the xanthan gum still gives it nice thickness and cling for saucing and dipping.
So in summary, those who want authentic Sweet Baby Ray’s flavor without all the sugar will be very happy with the sugar-free version. It maintains the overall barbecue taste beautifully.
Cost Comparison
How does the price of sugar-free Sweet Baby Ray’s compare to the original high-sugar sauce?
Here is a look at the cost breakdown:
– **Sweet Baby Ray’s Original (18 oz bottle):** Approximately $2.50 to $3.50 per bottle at most grocery stores. Equates to about $0.14 to $0.20 per oz.
– **Sweet Baby Ray’s Sugar-Free (28 oz bottle):** Approximately $3.50 to $5.50 per bottle at most grocery stores. Equates to $0.12 to $0.20 per oz.
So both sauces cost right around $0.15 to $0.20 per ounce on average. The sugar-free version tends to cost a dollar or two more per bottle given its specialty nature. But because the bottles contain more ounces, the per oz cost remains very similar.
In terms of value, the sugar-free sauce gives you significantly more portions than the original for around the same price point. A 28 oz bottle holds over twice as many 2 tbsp servings compared to an 18 oz bottle.
Overall the sugar-free version offers comparable value, especially for those specifically seeking a reduced carb and sugar barbecue sauce. It provides a cost-effective way to enjoy Sweet Baby Ray’s flavor on a diet.
Where to Buy Sugar-Free Sweet Baby Ray’s
Sugar-free Sweet Baby Ray’s can be found at most major grocery stores and retailers that carry barbecue sauces and condiments. Here are some specific stores it’s available at:
– Walmart
– Kroger
– Safeway
– Albertson’s
– Publix
– Target
– Meijer
– H-E-B
– Food Lion
– Shoprite
– Stop & Shop
– Giant Eagle
– Harris Teeter
– Hy-Vee
– Winn-Dixie
The sauce is usually stocked on shelves alongside the original Sweet Baby Ray’s and other barbecue sauce options. Look for the sugar-free label in the same condiment aisle.
If you can’t find it locally, the sauce can also be purchased through online retailers like Amazon, Walmart.com, Instacart, and others. Buying online may offer more size options, multi-pack deals, and subscriptions.
And of course, it’s always available direct through the Sweet Baby Ray’s website. Check there for hard-to-find sizes, combo packs with original and sugar-free bottles, or specialty holiday packaging.
Verdict: An Excellent Lower-Carb Substitute
In summary, sugar-free Sweet Baby Ray’s provides an impressively low 3g of net carbs and zero sugar for the same great Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue flavor.
It achieves the sugar and carb reduction through using artificial sweeteners, tomato puree for mild sweetness, and small amounts of sugar alcohol.
The taste strikes a perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and mildly sweet. While not overly sweet like the original sauce, it has an appealing flavor profile even for those without dietary restrictions.
Sugar-free Sweet Baby Ray’s fits into low-carb, keto, diabetic, and lower-sugar diets as a delicious sauce option. It can be substituted in anywhere you would use the high-carb original.
At around $0.15 per ounce, it comes at a comparable price point to regular Sweet Baby Ray’s. And offers even better value when you factor in the larger bottle size.
Overall, sugar-free Sweet Baby Ray’s is a smart choice for anyone looking to reduce carbs, sugar, or calories without sacrificing the signature Sweet Baby Ray’s flavor. It nails the taste while allowing you to sauce up your favorite foods in a diet-friendly way.
