If you are looking for a healthier alternative to processed white sugar, you probably came across various sugar substitutes claiming to be the best. But how to choose the best sugar substitute for you? We are here to answer all of your questions and dilemmas!
What we did was research and review some of the best sugar substitutes currently available on the market by looking at the ingredient quality, efficiency, overall value, and customer ratings. Not only that, but we also included a detailed guide to help you make the smartest purchase next time you’re shopping.
Let us begin with our top ten recommendations.
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The Erythritol Powder by BulkSupplements is one of the best non–sugar sweeteners on the market at a relatively low price. We were delighted to find out that there are frequent sales and discounts on the product’s official website, making this sweetener even more available to our readers.
This healthy, zero-calorie sugar substitute comes in granular form, and it is up to 70% as sweet as regular sugar. Thanks to its low glycemic index (GI), it is a suitable artificial sweetener for people on a ketogenic diet.
That being said, there are 4 g of carbohydrates per serving, so people who are mindful of carbs need to consider this. On the bright side, as one of the best no-calorie sweetener options around, it is entirely free of added sugar, dairy, yeast, soy, gluten, and harmful additives.
Overall, customers are satisfied with this product, and it remains one of the most popular options for health-conscious people looking to lose weight and stay fit.
Suggested use: Use 4 g (around 1 1/2 tsp) or to your preferred taste.
If you are a passionate baker or someone who loves making sugar-free baked goods, then Hoosier Hill Farm Erythritol has got you covered. This American product is calorie-free and 70% as sweet as regular sugar, making it a healthier alternative for people trying to lose weight.
Potentially the best low-carb sugar substitute, this sweetener comes in granular form, and it is easily dissolved in beverages, baked goods, and different recipes. Best of all, the erythritol used in this product is non-GMO and gluten-free, making it the right choice for our readers with allergies.
Although it is a better and healthier option for people watching their waistline, individuals on a strict keto diet need to be mindful of the 12 g of sugar alcohols in a tablespoon serving.
A number of reviewers who tried it consider Hoosier Hill Farm Erythritol the best sugar alternative for diabetics because they can create delicious calorie-free treats without compromising the flavor. For the sake of comparison, 12 g of table sugar has around 48 calories!
Suggested use: 12 g or 1 tbsp per serving.
Have you been wondering which sweetener keto dieters are raving about? Well, here is the product you have been waiting for—it’s the Wondrose Sugar Replacer by Keto and Co. In a nutshell, this calorie-free, low-carb best artificial sweetener for keto is a dream come true for cooking and baking during keto.
This healthy sugar replacer contains erythritol, GMO-free soluble corn fiber, inulin, and monk fruit for extra sweetness. Even though it comes in a granular form, the Wondrose can easily be used in various sugar-free, diabetic-friendly recipes without the gritty texture, which is why so many reviewers consider it the best sugar substitute for keto.
This zero net carb sugar replacer does not have a tangy aftertaste, and no one will notice that it does not contain actual white sugar!
For less than $10 per bag, this champion among the best keto sweeteners is an absolute grab for everyone in need of extra sweetness in life.
Suggested use: 3 g or 1 tsp per serving.
Nutricost is a health-conscious brand dedicated to the well-being of its customers. Besides their impressive range of supplements for general and cognitive health, we were also pleasantly surprised with their Xylitol Powder quality.
The Nutricost Xylitol Powder is a low-carb, low-calorie healthy sugar substitute with 100% pure xylitol. Although it is not completely calorie-free, each serving contains 10 g of calories and only 4 g of sugar alcohols. As mentioned, people on strict keto diets should be mindful of their total carbohydrate intake.
Based on the countless satisfied user reviews we have come across, many claim that this is the best tasting artificial sweetener for baking that resembles the flavor and the texture of real sugar.
The only downside we could find is that some customers would prefer the product came in a smaller container for more convenient usage.
Suggested use: 4 g per serving.
What is the healthiest alternative to sugar? Coconut palm sugar has a lower glycemic index than table sugar and is believed to be naturally more nutritious. With this in mind, we highly recommend checking out the Better Body Foods Organic Coconut Palm Sugar if you are looking for an all-natural sweetener.
We consider Organic Coconut Palm Sugar the healthiest sugar alternative around, mainly because of the added nutrients not found in table sugar. Also, many claim that this is the best brown sugar substitute available on the market, due to its slight caramel flavor.
Besides a low GI, organic coconut palm sugar is suitable for people with gluten allergies and paleo dieters. Best of all, this sweetener is ideal for making cakes, cookies, and different beverages such as tea taste great.
Although this is one of the best paleo sweeteners and is undoubtedly healthier than white sugar, our readers on strict keto diets need to be mindful of the total carbs and sugars. Based on the nutrition facts, one serving contains 40 calories and 8 g of total sugars.
Suggested use: 10 g per serving.
If you are a tea connoisseur looking for one of the best sugar alternatives, then introduce your body to the richness that Wholesome Organic Honey has to offer. This brand promises to deliver pesticide-free, 100% organic honey at a very reasonable price.
Believe it or not, honeybees create this heavenly nectar in Brazilian organic hives. Not only is it suitable for sweetening up your tea or beverage of choice, but it can also be smeared on hard cheeses, biscuits, and drizzled over oatmeal.
Due to its liquid form, this is the best sugar substitute when you need something that can be easily blended into different fruit smoothies or tasty keto protein shakes. With only 60 calories per serving, you get all of the health benefits of organic honey without ruining your progress in the gym.
However, if you are on a strict keto or low-carb diet, stay mindful of the 17 g of total carbs per serving, as these may kick you out of ketosis.
Suggested use: 21 g per serving.
Yacon syrup is a prebiotic-rich natural liquid sweetener that is high in fiber and low in sugar. That being said, our favorite yacon sweetener is the USDA-certified Organic Yacon Syrup by Alovitox.
Alovitox recommends this natural sweetener to people searching for a low glycemic index alternative to white sugar and people with weight issues. Due to its low calorie content (only 7 calories per serving), the Organic Yacon Syrup is perfect for individuals wanting to lose weight or those trying to keep it off.
Although this healthiest sugar substitute contains a slight amount of carbohydrates, it is a better choice than other high-sugar sweeteners.
Despite not being as sweet as regular sugar, the taste of yacon syrup is heavenly. If you love the flavor of maple syrup or agave, then you will love the richness of yacon syrup drizzled over Greek yogurt or your favorite smoothie bowl in the morning.
Finally, we recommend this plant-based sugar substitute to our readers who are on the lookout for a healthier alternative to regular white sugar that is not too overpowering in flavor. Try it out for yourself and let us know how you like it!
As a side note, it is available in three flavors: Cacao, Cinnamon, and Original.
Suggested use: 5 ml or 1 tsp per serving.
A paleo diet focuses on foods that could be maintained in the past by gathering and hunting. If you are following this popular diet, Monk Fruit Extract by Purisure might be an ideal healthy substitute for sugar for you.
Besides being suitable for paleo dieters, the zero-carb and zero-calorie Purisure Monk Fruit Extract is a good option for low-carb dieters. Best of all, healthy sugar alternatives containing monk fruit do not impact insulin levels and will not kick you out of ketosis.
Unlike some of the other sugar alternatives, studies have not found any adverse effects when using monk fruit. This means that this is the safest sugar substitute on the market for people with different dietary preferences.
Nevertheless, bear in mind that this monk fruit sweetener is 150–200 times sweeter than regular sugar. So, you will have to use less of this product in your beverages and recipes than you would use table sugar.
Suggested use: One scoop equals one tsp of sugar.
NuNaturals Organic Pure Stevia Powder is one of the best sweeteners we tested that came closest to real sugar. Not only is this a smooth, lump-free, natural sweetener, but it also does not have a bitter aftertaste. This powder is easily mixed into hot beverages, making it the healthiest sweetener for coffee on our list (goes great with high-quality CBD coffee).
This stevia sugar alternative is derived from the leaves of stevia, a herb native to South America. Being a non-nutritive sweetener (meaning that it has zero calories, zero sugar, and zero carbs), it is a favorite among keto and low-carb dieters, many of whom consider it the best-tasting sugar substitute for coffee. Best of all, like the other healthiest sweetener products, it will not contribute to gaining weight, nor will it lead to tooth decay, which cannot be said for regular sugar.
It is important to note that, even though Organic Pure Stevia Powder might be the healthiest sugar alternative you’ll find, it comes in a concentrated form, and a little amount goes a long way. For instance, only 3/4 of a tsp is needed to achieve the sweetness of one cup of white sugar.
Suggested use: 35 mg or 1/64 tsp per serving.
BetterStevia by NOW Foods is hands-down our favorite stevia-based zero-calorie sweetener in liquid form, and here’s why. This carb-free healthy substitute for sugar disappears in your beverage in a blink of an eye, and it is convenient for daily use.
Besides this, you can drizzle it over sugar-free pancakes or waffles without worrying about spiking blood sugar levels and getting kicked out of ketosis.
We believe our readers deserve the best in life, so we made sure to include safe sweeteners for diabetics that are easily dispensable and highly portable when on the go. In addition to being keto-friendly, the BetterStevia Liquid sweetener is also gluten-free and vegan-friendly.
Based on our testing and countless sweetener reviews, you only need a couple of drops to add heavenly sweetness to your favorite beverage or dish. Try it out for yourself and let us know what you think!
Suggested use: 1–4 drops or as desired (shake well before use!)
Good sugar alternatives are popular because they add sweetness and flavor to food without calories and the risk of causing tooth decay. Unlike regular processed white sugar, many sugar substitutes keep blood sugar levels steady, which is essential for people with diabetes or other conditions.
With this in mind, it is not surprising that there are heaps of products on the market claiming to be the next best thing. But, before purchasing a good sugar substitute, there are a couple of things to consider.
What are the benefits of swapping processed sugar with a sweetener without aspartame? What are the four main types of healthy substitutes for sugar? Most importantly, how to choose the best sugar substitute for you?
If you are interested in the answers to these questions, keep on reading.
The benefits of looking into reputable sugar substitute brands and starting to use their products include:
On the flip side, refined sugar can cause:
There are four types of sugar substitutes, with some overlap between the groups: natural sweeteners, artificial sweeteners, novel sweeteners, and sugar alcohols. Each of these sugar substitutes has possible benefits and downsides depending on what you are looking for.
These natural sweeteners are not sugar-free and calorie-free. Although they contain traces of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, they should be consumed in moderation if the goal is to lose weight.
Many people claim sucralose is the best artificial sweetener, but saccharin, aspartame, and xylitol are also suitable calorie-free options for individuals trying to lose weight. Although some artificial sweeteners are not good for you, studies have shown that xylitol is completely safe and has potential health benefits.
On the flip side, like other sugar alcohols, xylitol can slightly raise blood sugar levels (though not as much as processed white sugar). Hence, if you have diabetes, you will need to count calories and carbohydrates from sugar alcohols in your diet.
These alternatives are derived from natural sources, while being low on calories (or calorie-free). For instance, stevia is a plant that has been used to sweeten beverages for centuries, and the sweetener derived from it contains zero calories. This means that stevia is one of the best no-calorie sweeteners for people on a healthy diet.
The ketogenic diet involves dramatically reducing the intake of carbohydrates and replacing them with fat. Because of this, people following keto need to reduce their intake of sugar found in sweets, baked goods, dressings, and beverages.
The following good sweeteners are most suitable for people on a keto or low-carb diet because they do not spike blood sugar levels:
These are low glycemic sweeteners for diabetics making them the best option for keto and low-carb dieters.
As a reminder, GI stands for glycemic index, a scale determining how fast carbohydrates, sugars, and starches are absorbed into the body. GI is divided into three categories: low GI (55 or less), medium GI (55–70), and high GI (70–100).
Here are the top factors to consider when selecting the best sugar substitute for you and your family.
Best sweeteners for diabetics come in a variety of forms, such as liquid and powder. In addition to this, they are also available in different volumes and packaging. For instance, if you are a passionate baker, you will want to choose an enormous container, whereas people on the go will prefer single packets.
You might be interested in swapping processed white sugar with sweeteners that are good for you because they are typically zero-calorie alternatives. Although sweeteners such as stevia or erythritol are calorie-free, some natural options, including coconut sugar, honey, and molasses, are not.
With this in mind, choose a sugar alternative that you can fit into your daily calorie intake for weight loss.
Besides counting calories, people on a strict diet will also need to consider the carbohydrates and the sugars in their favorite natural or best artificial sweetener. For instance, natural sweeteners such as honey and agave syrup are high in carbs and sugar, making them unfit for people with diabetes.
Different healthy sugar alternatives have different levels of sweetness and flavor profiles. For instance, higher-processed sugar substitutes tend to have a bitter aftertaste. Also, sugar alternatives such as monk fruit and stevia are sweeter than processed white sugar. As for molasses and honey, these have specific flavors.
Finding the best sugar alternative can be overwhelming, especially with each manufacturer claiming to offer the next best thing. Fortunately, we have compiled a list of the top products worth your money that are healthy and taste good.
Hopefully, our detailed sweetener reviews have helped you choose the right product to sweeten up your life. Stay fit and cavity-free!
All of the products presented in these sweetener reviews are entirely safe and free of adverse effects when used in moderation. This means that you should always stick to the recommended dosages provided on the product label or as instructed by your doctor. For instance, although stevia leaf extracts are entirely natural and safe, too much of this sweetener can cause bloating, gas, or slight nausea.
There are many healthier alternatives to processed sugar. We recommend some popular sweeteners, including stevia, erythritol, xylitol, coconut palm sugar, honey, yacon syrup, and monk fruit. Make sure to check out our detailed sweetener reviews to learn more about each one of these sugar alternatives.
Yes, honey is a healthier sugar substitute because of several reasons:
However, to reap all of the benefits of honey, make sure to find a product that is 100% organic.
Many people claim that the sweetener substitute that resembles processed white sugar the most is xylitol. The reason for being the closest match is that xylitol both tastes like sugar and looks like sugar. Also, it responds like processed sugar in baking. Even so, we highly suggest testing out other options as well, so you can be sure you’ve found the best sugar substitute for your particular taste and needs.