Hershey’s zero sugar is a line of chocolate and candy products from The Hershey Company that contain no sugar. Instead of sugar, Hershey’s uses artificial sweeteners to provide the sweet taste in their zero sugar products. This allows people who are limiting their sugar intake for health or dietary reasons to still enjoy the taste of chocolate and candy.
Common Questions
Here are some common questions about what sweeteners Hershey’s uses in their zero sugar products:
What is the main sweetener used in Hershey’s zero sugar products?
The primary sweetener used in Hershey’s zero sugar chocolates and candies is erythritol. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that provides about 70% of the sweetness of regular sugar with only about 5% of the calories. It has been used in foods and beverages since the 1990s as a zero-calorie sweetener.
Do Hershey’s zero sugar products contain aspartame?
No, Hershey’s zero sugar products do not contain the artificial sweetener aspartame. Aspartame is found in some diet and zero-calorie products, but Hershey’s uses erythritol instead.
What other sweeteners are used besides erythritol?
In addition to erythritol, some Hershey’s zero sugar products also contain small amounts of other non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia leaf extract and monk fruit extract. These natural sweeteners enhance the sweetness and flavor.
Are Hershey’s zero sugar products keto-friendly?
Many of Hershey’s zero sugar products can fit into a keto diet plan since they do not contain sugar or carbohydrates. However, the sugar alcohols like erythritol would still need to be accounted for when tracking net carbs on keto. Some Hershey’s items also contain maltitol syrup, which has a higher glycemic impact, so not all products in the zero sugar line may be keto-approved.
Do the zero sugar products taste the same as the regular versions?
Most people find Hershey’s zero sugar chocolates and candies to have a very similar taste to the original versions made with sugar. The combination of erythritol, stevia, and monk fruit extract can closely mimic the flavor profile people expect in chocolate and candy. Of course, there are minor taste differences, but many find them quite small.
Details on Erythritol
Since erythritol is the primary sweetener used in Hershey’s zero sugar line, it is helpful to understand exactly what it is and how it provides a sugar-like taste:
What is erythritol?
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol (or polyol) that occurs naturally in some fruits and fermented foods. It can also be commercially produced from glucose by fermentation with yeast. The chemical structure resembles sugar, but it is only partially absorbed in the small intestine, so it has fewer calories and carbs.
Is erythritol natural?
Both the erythritol found in nature and the commercially produced types are natural substances. After fermentation, it goes through filtration and purification processes, but no chemical modification is done to the basic erythritol molecules. It has been determined generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
How does erythritol taste compared to sugar?
Erythritol has about 60 to 80% of the sweetness of regular table sugar (sucrose). It has a clean, sweet taste without the bitter aftertaste that some other sugar alcohols can have. The sweetness starts quickly after consumption and dissipates cleanly.
Is erythritol keto-friendly?
Yes, erythritol is one of the most keto-friendly sugar substitutes available. It contains just 0.24 calories per gram and has a glycemic index of zero. Erythritol does not raise blood sugar or insulin levels, making it ideal for ketogenic diets focused on low carb intake.
What effect does erythritol have on blood sugar?
Studies show that erythritol does not affect blood glucose or insulin levels in the body after consumption. Diabetics do not need to dose insulin to account for erythritol in food or drinks. This helps explain why it has no impact on ketosis or glycemic control.
Hershey’s Zero Sugar Product Line
Hershey’s makes a wide range of zero sugar chocolate and candy products sweetened with erythritol and other natural sweeteners:
Hershey’s Zero Sugar Milk Chocolate
This contains erythritol, stevia extract, and cocoa butter to create amilk chocolate bar with the iconic Hershey’s flavor but no sugar added. It has 3g net carbs per serving.
Hershey’s Zero Sugar Dark Chocolate
Sweetened with erythritol and stevia extract, this dark chocolate contains 60% cacao and has rich, intense chocolate taste with zero sugar. It has 2g net carbs per serving.
Hershey’s Zero Sugar Almond Bark
With erythritol and stevia leaf extract, this zero sugar almond bark provides crunchy roasted almond pieces in smooth Hershey’s milk chocolate. It has 3g net carbs per serving.
Hershey’s Zero Sugar Syrup
The classic Hershey’s chocolate syrup goes sugar-free. Made with erythritol, monk fruit extract, and cocoa, it can add rich chocolate flavor without added sugar. It has 1g net carb per serving.
Hershey’s Zero Sugar Kisses
These classic tear-drop shaped chocolates contain erythritol and stevia leaf extract for sweetening with the iconic Hershey’s milk chocolate flavor. With 2g net carbs per serving, they create portion-controlled zero sugar treats.
Jolly Rancher Zero Sugar Candy
With erythritol and stevia extract, these hard fruit candies come in flavors like cherry, watermelon, grape, and blue raspberry with no sugar added. They contain 2-3g net carbs per piece.
Nutrition Facts Comparison
Here is a nutritional comparison between standard Hershey’s chocolates sweetened with sugar versus the zero sugar versions using erythritol:
| Product | Serving Size | Calories | Total Carbs | Net Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hershey’s milk chocolate bar (regular) | 1.55 oz | 220 | 28g | 27g |
| Hershey’s zero sugar milk chocolate bar | 1.5 oz | 120 | 14g | 3g |
| Hershey’s Kisses (regular) | 9 pieces | 140 | 18g | 17g |
| Hershey’s Zero Sugar Kisses | 9 pieces | 15 | 5g | 2g |
As you can see, the zero sugar versions remove almost all carbohydrates and sugar, creating significantly lower calorie options with minimal impact on blood glucose levels.
Baking and Cooking
The zero sugar Hershey’s products can be incorporated into cooking and baking for sweet flavor without added sugar:
Smoothies
Add Hershey’s zero sugar syrup to protein shakes, smoothies, yogurt bowls, or oatmeal for chocolate flavor with no sugar impact.
Dessert Toppings
Use zero sugar Hershey’s chocolate chips or syrup as a topping over cakes, brownies, ice cream, or other desserts to make them chocolatey.
Energy Bars
Melt zero sugar Hershey’s chocolate and combine with nuts and dried fruit to make homemade energy or granola bars with no added sugar.
Fat Bombs
Make keto fat bombs by mixing zero sugar chocolate with nut butter, coconut butter, or cream cheese for sweet, fat-filled snacks.
Pancake Syrup
Drizzle zero sugar Hershey’s chocolate syrup over pancakes or waffles instead of traditional sugary syrup.
Cost Comparison
How does the price of Hershey’s zero sugar line compare to their regular offerings? Here is a cost breakdown:
| Product | Average Price (Regular) | Average Price (Zero Sugar) |
|---|---|---|
| Hershey’s chocolate bar (1.55oz) | $1.09 | $1.29 |
| Hershey’s Kisses (9 pieces) | $1.19 | $1.39 |
| Hershey’s chocolate chips (12 oz) | $2.99 | $3.99 |
| Hershey’s syrup (24 oz) | $2.99 | $3.99 |
On average, the zero sugar versions cost about 20-30 cents more for comparable sizes and quantities. The price difference reflects the higher manufacturing costs for alternative sweeteners compared to conventional sugar. However, many find the extra cost worthwhile to make their favorite chocolate treats and desserts without all the added sugar.
Availability
Where can you buy Hershey’s zero sugar products?
Hershey’s zero sugar chocolates and candies are widely available at most major grocery stores, mass retailers, drug stores, convenience stores, and wholesale clubs in the United States. They can typically be found in the candy aisle or sometimes in a “diabetes friendly” section. However, availability may vary depending on the individual retailer.
Online ordering
For wider options or buying in bulk, Hershey’s zero sugar products can also be purchased through online stores like Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com, and more. The Hershey’s website also has a store locator to help find local retailers that carry the zero sugar line.
International availability
Internationally, availability of Hershey’s zero sugar candies may vary. They are sold widely across Canada and in some other countries where Hershey’s products are available. However, other markets may have more limited options depending on local consumer demand. Check with local retailers or search online to find available purchasing options.
Benefits of Zero Sugar
Choosing Hershey’s zero sugar chocolates and candies offers several potential benefits:
Lower calorie option
With little to no carbohydrates, the zero sugar products are significantly lower in calories than traditional sugar-sweetened versions. This can help support weight control or maintenance.
Blood sugar control
Replacing high-sugar foods with zero sugar options helps control blood glucose levels, insulin response, and diabetes management.
Dental health
Less sugar intake can support better oral health and reduce cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay.
No “sugar crash”
The combination of erythritol, stevia, and monk fruit extract avoids the energy-zapping insulin spike and sudden drop that high-sugar foods can cause.
Conclusion
Hershey’s has developed a line of delicious zero sugar chocolates and candies that provide the sweet taste people crave without all of the sugar. They use the natural sweetener erythritol, along with stevia and monk fruit extract, to create sugar-free versions of classic Hershey’s products. With fewer calories, net carbs, and minimal effect on blood sugar, the zero sugar options offer portion-controlled treats that many can enjoy guilt-free as part of a healthy diet or diabetes management plan. Finding tasty ways to reduce sugar intake provides significant health advantages without sacrificing enjoying sweet flavors.