1 day ago

Why Sugar-Free Labels Do Not Always Mean Healthier Choices

A sugar-free label only tells you that a product has very little or no sugar.

It does not mean the food has no carbohydrates or calories.

A sugar-free biscuit may still contain refined flour, fat and salt.

Some products use sweeteners to keep a sweet taste.

These sweeteners can include stevia, sucralose and aspartame.

A sugar-free drink may have little nutrition even if it has little sugar.

People should check the nutrition panel and serving size before choosing a product.

Sugar-free foods can sometimes help people reduce added sugar, but they are not automatically healthy foods.

Key facts

Label meaning: “Sugar-free” refers specifically to the amount of sugars in a food or drink.
What it does not guarantee: The claim does not mean a product is low in calories, free of carbohydrates or suitable for everyone.
Possible remaining nutrients: Sugar-free products may still contain fat, sodium, carbohydrates and calories.
Sweeteners mentioned: Examples include stevia, sucralose, aspartame and acesulfame potassium.
What to check: Review energy, total fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, total sugars, protein and sodium.
Serving sizes: A stated serving may be smaller than the amount people typically eat.
Ingredient order: Ingredients are generally listed in descending order by weight.

firstpost.com · 1 day ago