With rising rates of obesity and diabetes, more and more people are looking for ways to enjoy sweets without all the added sugar. For chocolate lovers, this often means finding options that are either sugar-free or low in sugar. The good news is that there are now more sugar-free and low sugar chocolate options than ever before.
What are sugar-free chocolates?
Sugar-free chocolates have had all or most of the sugar removed or replaced with artificial sweeteners. They may contain 0 grams of sugar per serving or less than 1 gram per serving to be considered sugar-free. Common artificial sweeteners used in sugar-free chocolates include:
- Aspartame
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K)
- Sucralose
- Stevia
These provide sweetness without calories or spikes in blood sugar. Sugar alcohols like erythritol, maltitol, and xylitol may also be used. They have fewer calories than regular sugar and do not impact blood sugar as much.
Benefits of sugar-free chocolate
Here are some of the benefits of choosing sugar-free chocolate:
- Lower in calories – Sugar-free chocolate has fewer calories per serving compared to regular chocolate.
- Doesn’t spike blood sugar – The lack of sugar means it won’t cause sharp rises in blood glucose levels.
- Reduces risk of cavities – With no sugar for oral bacteria to feed on, sugar-free chocolate is less harmful for dental health.
- Allows inclusion in a low-carb or keto diet – Sugar-free chocolate can fit into a low-carb, ketogenic, or diabetic diet plan.
- Still satisfies chocolate cravings – Sugar-free chocolate provides the rich chocolate taste many love without the added sugar.
For people monitoring calories, carbs, or sugar intake, sugar-free chocolate is an excellent option for enjoying chocolate without derailing diet goals. Those with diabetes can enjoy it without impacting blood sugar levels as much as regular chocolate might.
Downsides of sugar-free chocolates
There are some potential downsides to keep in mind with sugar-free chocolates:
- May cause digestive issues – Sugar alcohols can sometimes cause gas, bloating, or diarrhea when eaten in excess.
- Not carb or calorie free – Most still contain some carbs and calories from other ingredients like cocoa butter.
- May not satisfy cravings – Some find the taste doesn’t satisfy chocolate cravings in the same way as regular chocolate.
- Contains artificial sweeteners – Those avoiding artificial sweeteners will want to choose naturally sweetened options.
The amount that needs to be eaten to cause digestive upset varies. Some handle sugar alcohols better than others. Starting with small amounts and increasing slowly can help minimize issues. For some, the taste also takes some getting used to. Checking labels for carb and calorie counts is important too, as amounts can vary by brand.
Popular Sugar-Free Chocolate Brands
Many companies now offer sugar-free chocolate options. Here is an overview of some of the most popular sugar-free chocolate brands:
Lily’s Sweets
Lily’s Sweets offers sugar-free chocolate chips, baking bars, and chocolate bars sweetened with stevia and erythritol. Their chocolate bars come in salted almond, salted caramel, and other flavors. The chips and bars are also gluten-free, non-GMO, and contain no artificial sweeteners. Lily’s Sweets use high quality cocoa and ingredients. Their chocolate has a smooth, rich taste with minimal aftertaste from sweeteners.
ChocZero
ChocZero specializes in keto-friendly, low carb chocolates. They produce chocolate bars, syrups, baking chips, and more. ChocZero uses monk fruit and stevia for sweetening. Their chocolate has only 1g net carbs per serving. It comes in unique flavors like orange cream, maple pecan, and chocolate mint. ChocZero chocolates are also non-GMO, soy free, gluten free, and contain no sugar alcohols. Their chocolate has a creamy texture and intense chocolate flavor.
Antidote Chocolate
Antidote Chocolate takes a clean, health-conscious approach to their chocolate. They use ethically sourced cacao beans and natural sweeteners like maple syrup and coconut sugar. Their chocolate bars contain prebiotic fiber for digestive health. Antidote’s chocolate bars come in flavors like cherry cacao nib, coconut butter, and mint. They have only 13 grams of sugar per serving and no added sugar. This brand is perfect for those wanting sugar-free chocolate with whole food ingredients.
Endangered Species Chocolate
Endangered Species Chocolate offers 3 gluten-free, plant-based, and non-GMO chocolate bar options sweetened with stevia. The Dark Chocolate with Forest Mint variety has only 1g of sugar per serving. Their Toasted Coconut & Dark Chocolate and Dark Chocolate with Rice Crisp bars are also low sugar at 7 grams per serving. Cocoa beans are ethically sourced through their partnership with the Rainforest Alliance.
Eating Evolved
Eating Evolved creates keto-friendly, low sugar chocolate bars with monk fruit and allulose. Their chocolate bars come in flavors like cherry almond, lemon cookie, and maple pecan. Bars have only 1-2g net carbs and 1g sugar per serving. They are also soy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and contain no sugar alcohols. For keto dieters or those avoiding sugar alcohols, Eating Evolved offers tasty sugar-free chocolate bar options.
Sugar-Free Dark Chocolate Options
Dark chocolate naturally contains less sugar than milk chocolate. Here are some of the best sugar-free dark chocolate options:
| Brand | Product | Sweetener Used |
|---|---|---|
| ChocZero | Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Bar | Monk Fruit and Stevia |
| Lily’s | Dark Chocolate Baking Chips | Stevia |
| Endangered Species | 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate | Stevia |
| Awake | Grain-Free Dark Chocolate | Monk Fruit and Erythritol |
The cacao percentage indicates the amount of cocoa solids in the chocolate. Higher percentages mean richer, deeper chocolate flavor. Companies like ChocZero, Lily’s, and Awake offer sugar-free chocolate chips for baking. Endangered Species 72% cacao bar provides deep chocolate taste with low sugar content.
Sugar-Free Milk Chocolate Options
Though darker than milk chocolate, these sugar-free milk chocolate options offer creamy sweetness:
| Brand | Product | Sweetener Used |
|---|---|---|
| Russell Stover | Sugar Free Milk Chocolate | Maltitol and Artificial Sweeteners |
| Hershey’s | Sugar Free Milk Chocolate | Maltitol |
| Whitman’s | Sugar Free Hollow Milk Chocolate Bunny | Sorbitol |
Popular candy brands like Russell Stover, Hershey’s, and Whitman’s all offer sugar-free milk chocolate options sweetened with maltitol, sorbitol, or other sugar alcohols. Their sugar-free chocolate retains the recognizable milky taste their brands are known for.
Sugar-Free White Chocolate Selections
For those who enjoy white chocolate, these brands offer sugar-free white chocolate products:
| Brand | Product | Sweetener Used |
|---|---|---|
| Ghirardelli | Sugar Free White Chocolate Chips | Maltitol |
| Russell Stover | Sugar Free White Chocolate | Maltitol and Acesulfame Potassium |
| Baker’s Corner | Sugar Free White Morsels | Maltitol |
Ghirardelli, Russell Stover, and Baker’s Corner all offer white chocolate chips or bar options. These make it easy to bake up sugar-free white chocolate cookies, bars, or other treats.
Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips and Morsels
Chocolate chips and morsels retain their shape when baked, which is perfect for cookies and other desserts. Here are top options for sugar-free chocolate chips or morsels:
| Brand | Product | Sweetener Used |
|---|---|---|
| Lily’s | Sugar Free Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips | Stevia |
| Ghirardelli | 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips | Stevia |
| Enlightened | Sugar Free Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips | Erythritol and Stevia |
| Baker’s Corner | Sugar Free Semi-Sweet Chocolate Flavored Chips | Maltitol |
Lily’s, Ghirardelli, Enlightened, and Baker’s Corner all offer sugar-free chocolate chips to use in place of regular chocolate chips when baking. Having these sugar-free options makes it easy to cut sugar and carbs in all kinds of chocolate dessert recipes.
Sugar-Free Chocolate Syrups
Chocolate syrups provide classic chocolate flavor for desserts, drinks, and more. Here are sugar-free varieties to consider:
| Brand | Product | Sweetener Used |
|---|---|---|
| Walden Farms | Sugar Free Chocolate Syrup | Sucralose |
| Torani | Sugar Free Chocolate Sauce | Sucralose |
| Hershey’s | Sugar Free Chocolate Flavored Syrup | Acesulfame Potassium |
Brands like Walden Farms, Torani, and Hershey’s offer the classic taste of chocolate syrup without the sugar. These can be used to sweeten and flavor drinks, top desserts, make chocolate milk, and more, without added sugar.
Sugar-Free Chocolate Baking Products
For baking up sugar-free chocolate treats, these chocolate products are ideal:
| Brand | Product | Sweetener Used |
|---|---|---|
| Lily’s | Sugar Free Chocolate Baking Bars | Stevia |
| Live Better | Sugar Free Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Chips | Maltitol |
| Nature’s Nate’s | Sugar Free Honey Milk Chocolate Flavored Syrup | Stevia |
| Cavalier | Calorie Free Dark Cocoa | Stevia |
Lily’s baking bars, Live Better baking chips, Nature’s Nate’s syrup, and Cavalier cocoa powder all allow you to bake up sugar-free chocolate treats. Swapping them in for regular products removes added sugar while maintaining delicious chocolate flavor.
Tips for Choosing Sugar-Free Chocolate
Follow these tips when selecting sugar-free chocolate products:
- Check labels for nutrition info – Products vary in carb, calorie, and sugar alcohol content.
- Consider ingredient sources – Opt for chocolates with ethically sourced, quality ingredients.
- Know how sweeteners affect you – Some tolerate sugar alcohols better than others.
- Look for minimally processed – More whole food ingredients provide more nutrients.
- Choose natural sweeteners when possible – Stevia, monk fruit, erythritol are less processed than aspartame.
- Watch out for fillers – Some products bulk up on starches or other fillers.
- Buy high cacao % for dark chocolate – Higher is richer in antioxidants and nutrition.
Paying attention to nutrition labels, ingredients, sweeteners used, and cacao percentage helps identify the healthiest sugar-free chocolate options for your needs. Consulting reviews can further help determine taste and texture.
Conclusion
There are now more great options than ever for enjoying sugar-free chocolate. Leading brands like Lily’s Sweets, ChocZero, Eating Evolved, and others are making sugar-free chocolate bars, chips, and other products with quality ingredients and great taste. Opting for sugar-free chocolate allows you to satisfy chocolate cravings and make sweet treats while reducing sugar and carbs. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, chips, and baking products can all now be found in sugar-free varieties. With so many tasty options available, chocolate lovers no longer have to miss out. Choosing healthier sugar-free chocolate lets you enjoy the chocolate flavors you love guilt-free.
