Food & Fitness

There is a whole range of food and drinks in the store that carry these labels:

• “sugar-free”
• “reduced sugar”
• “light” 
• “no sugar added”

When you remove some or all of the sugar from these products, artificial sweeteners are often added instead to keep the sweet taste.

When you see these claims on packages, remember that they do not mean the food is completely carbohydrate-free.

These foods may or may not be lower in carbohydrate than the original product and they will still raise blood glucose levels.

There are also many products now that say they are sweetened with Splenda. This also does not mean they have zero carbohydrates. They are probably lower in calories, but they still contain carbs.

Nutrition Label Confusion

Claims about sugar on nutrition labels can be confusing. Some say “no sugar added,” “sugar-free,” “reduced sugar,” etc.

While the amount of sugar in these foods may be lower, remember that sugar is only one form of carbohydrate (they may also contain starch, fiber, and/or sugar alcohols).

For this reason, keep in mind the general rule: always check the Nutrition Facts Label for the total carbohydrate content.

Next: Artificial Sweetener Safety