Smucker’s sugar free jam has become an increasingly popular option for people looking to reduce their sugar intake. With flavors like strawberry, grape, and mixed berry, Smucker’s sugar free jam provides the sweet taste of fruit spread without all the added sugar. But is it really sugar free? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and nutrition facts to find out.
What are the ingredients in Smucker’s Sugar Free Jam?
The main ingredients in Smucker’s sugar free jam include fruit purees and fruit juices, pectin, citric acid, and sucralose. Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that provides the sweet taste without adding any sugar. Other sugar free jams on the market may use alternative sweeteners like stevia or aspartame. Smucker’s relies on sucralose to achieve the sweet flavor in their sugar free products.
How many calories and carbohydrates are in Smucker’s Sugar Free Jam?
A 1 tablespoon serving of Smucker’s sugar free strawberry jam contains:
- Calories: 10
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Potassium: 20mg
- Total carbs: 3g
- Dietary fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
As you can see, the total sugar content per serving is 0g. However, it does contain 3g of total carbohydrates per serving, which comes from the fruit purees and juices. So while the jam doesn’t contain any added sugars like sucrose or high fructose corn syrup, it does have naturally occurring sugars from the fruit that provide 3g of carbohydrates.
How Does Smucker’s Make Sugar Free Jam?
To make their sugar free jams, Smucker’s replaces added sugars like sucrose and corn syrup with an artificial sweetener called sucralose. Here is an overview of their sugar free jam manufacturing process:
- Fruit is washed, sorted, and processed into purees and juices.
- Pectin, citric acid, and sucralose are added to the fruit purees and juices.
- The mixture is heated and boiled to activate the pectin and create the desired gel-like jam consistency.
- The jam is packaged into jars or squeezable containers.
By replacing added sweeteners with sucralose, Smucker’s is able to create a sweet jam that has 0g of sugar per serving on the label. The use of all-natural fruit purees instead of high fructose corn syrup also allows them to create a product that has some nutritional value from the real fruit.
Is Smucker’s Sugar Free Jam Keto Friendly?
Many people following a keto diet try to limit their sugar and carbohydrate intake. Since Smucker’s sugar free jam contains 0g of sugar and only 3g of net carbs per serving, it can fit into a keto lifestyle in moderation. Some nutritionists recommend limiting total carbs to around 20-50g per day on keto, so a 1 tablespoon serving would represent 6-15% of your total daily carb allowance.
The small amount of carbohydrates come from the naturally occurring sugars in the fruit purees. So while not completely carb-free, Smucker’s sugar free jam can be incorporated as an occasional treat for people following a keto diet. Just be mindful of portion sizes to keep your total carbs in check.
Nutrition Facts Comparison of Smucker’s Regular and Sugar Free Jam
To better understand the nutrition profile, here is a side-by-side comparison of the nutrition facts for Smucker’s regular strawberry jam versus their sugar free strawberry jam:
Smucker’s Regular Strawberry Jam (1 Tbsp)
- Calories: 50
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Potassium: 20mg
- Total carbs: 13g
- Dietary fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 10g
- Added sugars: 10g
- Protein: 0g
Smucker’s Sugar Free Strawberry Jam (1 Tbsp)
- Calories: 10
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Potassium: 20mg
- Total carbs: 3g
- Dietary fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Added sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
As you can see, the regular Smucker’s jam contains 50 calories and 10g of sugar per serving, while the sugar free version only has 10 calories and 0g of sugar. The sugar free jam replaces added sugars with sucralose, resulting in a significant decrease in calories and carbohydrates.
However, the sugar free version still contains 3g of carbohydrates that come from the fruit purees. So while not completely carb or calorie free, the sugar free jam is a lower calorie, lower carb alternative to regular jams and preserves.
The Pros and Cons of Smucker’s Sugar Free Jam
Here is a summary of some of the key pros and cons associated with Smucker’s sugar free jams:
Pros:
- Contains 0g of added sugars per serving
- Much lower in calories and carbs than regular jam
- Made with fruit purees rather than high fructose corn syrup
- Sweetened with sucralose instead of added sugar
- Offers variety of flavors like strawberry, grape, mixed berry
- Convenient, squeezable packaging available
- Can be incorporated into keto diet in moderation
Cons:
- Contains artificial sweetener sucralose
- Still has 3g of carbs per serving from natural fruit sugars
- Higher price point than regular jams
- Not organic or non-GMO certified
- May cause digestive issues in some due to sucralose
The biggest pro is that it replaces added sugar with an artificial sweetener, reducing calories and carbs. However, some downsides are that it’s not all-natural, still contains some carbs, and is more expensive than regular jam. For some, the artificial sweetener may also cause digestive issues.
Ingredient Concerns and Controversies
While Smucker’s sugar free jam offers the sweet taste of jam without the extra sugar, some consumers have raised concerns over the ingredients:
Sucralose
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that is 600 times sweeter than sugar. While the FDA has approved sucralose as a safe food additive, there is some controversy around it:
- May negatively impact gut bacteria and digestive health
- Studies on long-term safety are lacking
- Can cause allergic reactions in those sensitive to artificial sweeteners
Fruit Purees
Smucker’s uses fruit purees instead of whole fruit. Critics argue purees are more processed and may have fewer nutrients than fresh fruit:
- Nutrients may be lost in processing from whole fruits to purees
- Could contain preservatives to extend shelf life
- Less fiber than whole fruit pieces
Additionally, the fruit purees likely come from concentrate, which again may reduce the vitamin and mineral content compared to fresh fruit.
Overall, while the ingredients allow Smucker’s to create a sugar free jam, some ingredients like sucralose and fruit purees may be seen as controversial or overly processed by some consumers.
Does Smucker’s Sugar Free Jam Taste the Same?
When it comes to taste, there are some noticeable differences between Smucker’s regular jam and their sugar free varieties:
- Sugar free has slightly more bitter, tart taste from lack of added sugar
- Artificial sweetener sucralose has a distinct aftertaste
- Fruit flavors are generally less pronounced
- Texture tends to be thicker and less spreadable
- Overall less sweet than traditional jams
That being said, Smucker’s sugar free jam still provides sweetness and fruit flavor. But side-by-side most people would be able to detect differences in taste from the use of sucralose and lack of added sugar. The fruit purees also likely impact the overall fruit taste.
So while not exactly the same, Smucker’s sugar free jam offers a reasonable lower calorie facsimile with a sweet, fruity flavor. But expect some differences, especially in terms of sweetness, from their classic jams.
Cost Comparison
Smucker’s sugar free jams generally cost more than their traditional jams with added sugar. Here is a cost comparison of some popular Smucker’s jams:
| Jam Type | Jar Size | Average Price |
|---|---|---|
| Smucker’s Strawberry Jam | 18 oz | $2.28 |
| Smucker’s Sugar Free Strawberry Jam | 16 oz | $3.28 |
| Smucker’s Grape Jelly | 18 oz | $2.24 |
| Smucker’s Sugar Free Concord Grape | 16 oz | $3.28 |
As you can see, the sugar free jams tend to cost around $1 more per jar. The increased price accounts for the use of more expensive ingredients like sucralose, as well as additional manufacturing processes needed to create the sugar free product.
For those trying to reduce sugar, the added cost may be justifiable. But for budget-conscious shoppers, traditional jams remain the more affordable choice. Coupons and sales can help offset the price difference.
Is Smucker’s Sugar Free Jam Worth It?
Whether Smucker’s sugar free jam is worth the purchase depends on your nutritional needs and priorities:
Worth it for:
- People with diabetes or sensitivity to sugar
- Those following keto, paleo, or other low carb diets
- Anyone looking to reduce added or artificial sugars
- People wanting to cut calories for weight loss
May not be worth it for:
- People wanting an all-natural product
- Those concerned about artificial sweeteners
- People not monitoring sugar or carb intake
- Shoppers on a tight budget
Overall, Smucker’s sugar free jam eliminates added sugar and reduces carb and calorie intake compared to regular jam. For many, this benefit is worth the tradeoff of artificial ingredients. But it may not suit everyone’s nutritional needs or preferences. Taste, texture, and price may also factor into whether it’s worth purchasing.
Conclusion
Smucker’s makes a range of sugar free jams sweetened with sucralose instead of added sugars like high fructose corn syrup. While their sugar free jams contain 0g of added sugars, they still have 3g of carbohydrates per serving from fruit purees. The use of sucralose gives the jams sweetness without sugar, but it is an artificial sweetener that some consumers prefer to avoid.
In terms of nutrition, Smucker’s sugar free jam is lower in calories, carbs, and sugar compared to their regular jams. But the product is more processed and may be higher priced. The taste also differs, with the sugar free jam having a less sweet flavor profile.
Overall, Smucker’s sugar free jam can be a good option for those monitoring their sugar and carb intake. But it may not suit everyone’s preferences in terms of ingredients, taste, or cost. The jam eliminates added sugar but is not completely sugar or carb free. For those able to tolerate artificial sweeteners, Smucker’s sugar free jam provides a reduced-calorie jam alternative with no added sugars.