First off, I must say that doing my research for this blog post has been the most enjoyable experience of all of the blog posts I have written to date, my husband even voluntarily offered to help out! Sugar free chocolate is experiencing a huge surge in popularity lately due to people increasingly being interested in healthier lifestyles, but still wanting to enjoy sweet treats.

Sugar free chocolate offers a way to satisfy your cravings without the sugar and potentially fewer calories than the real deal. For this reason, sugar free chocolate caters to people with diabetes or those following low-carb diets like keto.

Sugar substitutes have gotten better at mimicking sugar’s taste and texture. This means sugar-free chocolate can taste closer to the real thing than ever before. There’s also a wider variety of types and flavors of sugar free chocolate available and they are becoming easier to find in stores and through online retailers.

Although there are more options for sugar free chocolate available, it can still be challenging to find sugar free chocolate that tastes great and isn’t loaded with artificial ingredients. Let’s dive into how to make the best decision when choosing a sugar free chocolate as well as some of my favorite picks!

Some of the links below contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may get a small commission at no cost to you. 

Different Types of Sweeteners used in Sugar Free Chocolate 

Many sugar free chocolate products contain artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners, or sugar alcohols to give them a sweet taste. There are pros and cons to all of these sweeteners so it is best to consume them in moderation. Which sweeteners you prefer is a personal preference as some people are more sensitive to certain types or prefer the taste of some over others.

Let’s take a look at some of the sweeteners that you will commonly find in sugar free chocolate.

Maltitol 

Malitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in many sugar free and low calorie foods such as Russell Stover candies and Sugar Free Hersheys products. It is made from hydrogenating maltose, a type of sugar found in grains. 

Maltitol is incompletely absorbed by the body and while it is generally safe for most people in moderation, it can lead to digestive problems like gas, bloating, and diarrhea, especially when consumed in large amounts.  In high doses, maltitol can also have a laxative effect. While lower in calories and carbs than sugar, maltitol still contains both calories and carbs, so moderation is key.

Sucralose 

Sucralose, commonly known as Splenda, is an artificial sweetener commonly found in low-calorie foods and beverages. It is hundreds of times sweeter than sugar but with almost no calories.  Sucralose has a glycemic index of zero, meaning it doesn’t raise blood sugar levels making it a popular choice for people with diabetes. 

While it is considered safe in moderation, some studies suggest sucralose might alter gut bacteria, potentially leading to digestive issues or inflammation. Some people prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners altogether and opt for natural alternatives. 

Research in this area is ongoing and inconclusive, however sucralose appears to be safe for most people in moderation as per major health organizations.

Stevia 

Stevia is a natural, calorie-free sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, native to South America. 

Stevia is a great choice for reducing sugar intake without adding calories which can be beneficial for weight management, blood sugar control, and managing diabetes. Unlike artificial sweeteners, stevia comes from a plant source, which is appealing to those who prefer natural alternatives. Some studies suggest stevia may even have antioxidant properties and potentially lower blood pressure. 

Stevia can have a slightly bitter aftertaste that some people find unpleasant. While generally recognized as safe, long-term studies on stevia’s effects are still ongoing.

Monk Fruit 

Monk fruit, also known as Luohan Guo, is a small vine native to Southeast Asia. The sweetness in monk fruit comes from compounds called Mogrosides, extracted from the fruit itself. Monk fruit sweetener is a popular sugar substitute because it comes from a natural source and does not raise blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for people with diabetes. Some studies suggest Mogrosides in monk fruit have antioxidant effects, potentially offering some health benefits. 

Although it’s generally considered milder than stevia, some people find monk fruit sweeterner to have a slight aftertaste. Due to the cultivation and processing involved, monk fruit sweeteners can be harder to find and more expensive than other sweeteners. While generally safe, long-term studies on the effects of monk fruit extract are still ongoing.

Allulose 

Allulose is similar to sugar alcohols but is actually classified as a “rare sugar” that is found naturally in small amounts in certain fruits like wheat, raisins, and figs. Allulose contains minimal calories and it does not significantly raise blood sugar levels. Unlike some sugar alcohols, allulose has a taste profile similar to table sugar. Early research suggests allulose might promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. 

In large amounts, allulose can cause digestive discomfort like bloating or gas in some people. Allulose can be more expensive than other sweeteners like sugar or stevia and may be more difficult to find. While generally recognized as safe by the FDA, long-term studies on the effects of allulose are still ongoing.

Erythritol 

Erythritol is one of the most commonly used types of sugar alcohols. It is found naturally in certain fruits such as grapes and pears and is produced commercially through the fermentation of corn starch. 

Erythritol contains almost 0 calories and has a minimal impact on blood sugar levels. Erythritol generally doesn’t leave an aftertaste like some other sugar alcohols. Erythritol is not known for causing digestive issues like some of the other sugar alcohols. 

Erythritol can be more expensive than other sweeteners and may be more difficult to find. While also generally recognized as safe by the FDA, long-term studies on the effects of erythritol are still ongoing.

Cane Sugar 

Even some lower-sugar chocolates contain small amounts of cane sugar which as we know, does contain calories and carbs and can elevate blood sugar levels.  Make sure to be mindful of reading food labels and limiting portions of treats containing sugar.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Sugar Free Chocolate

• What type of sweeteners are used? Beware of Malitol as first ingredient in certain sugar free chocolate brands such as Hersheys or Russell Stover as these commonly cause digestive issues.
• What is the cocoa percentage? Generally, higher percentages of 70% cocoa or more indicate darker chocolate, with a more intense, bitter cocoa taste and less sweetness. These chocolates also boast a higher content of antioxidants and flavanols, which can offer some health benefits.
• How many total carbohydrates per serving?  Check the food label for serving size and total carbohydrates, don’t just look at the front of the package which might advertise the product as “keto” or “low carb” as these treats can still have an impact on blood sugar levels.
• How many calories per serving? Remember, even though these chocolates might contain low or even no sugar, they are not calorie free.
• What ingredients are used? Many sugar free chocolates are considered highly processed foods and should be enjoyed in moderation.
• Are there any allergens you need to be aware of? Some sugar free chocolates contain ingredients like tree nuts, peanuts, or gluten so if you have any allergies make sure to check the ingredients.
• How much does it cost? Beware of the cost of sugar free chocolates. We recommend stocking up on your favorites when they are on sale and enjoying them in moderation to make them last longer.

Top 8 Best Sugar Free Chocolate Brands

After researching and testing out many different types and brands of sugar free chocolate, the list below has my top 8 favorite options. I chose options with 5 or less grams of added sugar per serving and none of the brands below contain malitol.

Most can be found on Amazon or at Whole Foods, Target, or Walmart. Thrive Market is a great place to purchase most of these options as well and is one of my favorite retailers to shop for sugar free chocolate!

Lily’s 

Lily’s was my gateway into the world of sugar free chocolate and will always be near and dear to my heart. Lily’s has gotten more widely available and easier to find – most stores carry at least a few of the flavors of chocolate bars. Lily’s also has several different varieties of chocolate chips which I highly recommend using to make my Four Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies! Erythritol and stevia extract are the sweeteners used in Lily’s products and there is no added sugar.

KetoWise 

KetoWise has several types of chocolate bars and chocolate candies available. The bars had minimal impact on my blood sugar making them a great post dinner treat. Like Lily’s, KetoWise products are also sweetened with Erythritol and stevia extract and there is no added sugar.

Quest 

Quest, the same company who makes the protein bars that we all know and love, now has chocolate! I love that these Quest Peanut Butter Cups come in a mini version. The first ingredient is whey protein isolate and four of the mini cups contain 8 grams of protein which makes them a filling treat. My husband who has quite the sweet tooth gave them an 8 out of 10 compared to a regular Reese’s! Erythritol and a small amount of Sucralose are the sweeteners used and there is no added sugar.

ChocZero

I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to find ChocZero at Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods. These delicious little chocolate squares have a very pleasant taste with no hint of any weird aftertaste. I also liked that they come individually wrapped which makes portion control and bringing them on the go much easier. Monk fruit extract is used to sweeten ChocZero products and there is no added sugar.

Gatsby 

I was first introduced to Gatsby while watching Shark Tank and I know I had to try it immediately. Gatsby comes in fun flavors like fudge brownie and cookies and cream as well as more traditional flavors. I really enjoyed the texture of the Gatsby chocolate and it also did not have an unpleasant aftertaste. Allulose is used to sweeten Gatsby and it also contains 2 grams of added sugar per serving.

Evolved 

When I saw Evolved at Whole Foods I knew I had to try it. It has only 5 ingredients, all of which are natural and organic (organic cashews, organic cocoa butter, organic jerusalem artichoke fiber, organic monk fruit extract, and organic vanilla bean). This chocolate was creamy and clean tasting. I love that it is made primarily from cashews. Organic monk fruit extract is the sweetener used and there is no added sugar.

Unreal 

Unreal has been a favorite of mine for quite a while now and it has even gotten more mainstream lately, I recently saw Unreal in a bulk bag at Costco. Unreal dark chocolate coconut bars taste exactly like a Mounds or an Almond Joy (minus the almond). Cassava syrup and a small amount of cane sugar are used to sweeten Unreal chocolates making them a great option for those who prefer not to consume artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols. A mini bar has 3 grams of added sugar and 8 grams of total carbs which is still lower in carbs than some “sugar-free” brands.

JoJo’s 

JoJo’s chocolates were created by a woman named Jojo who was fighting cancer and lost her battle in 2019. Her son took her recipe and created the brand in her honor. Jojo’s has 1/3 of the sugar of a typical candy bar. A small amount of sugar is used in these bars, but like Unreal, they are still lower in carbs and sugar than even some “sugar free” brands. One serving (3 bites) has 5 grams of added sugar and no artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols are used.

Conclusion

Although sugar free chocolate is a processed food and recommended to eat in moderation, it can still fit into a balanced diet and it is a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth without derailing your blood sugar for the day. With a little research, you can find delicious sugar free chocolate that fits your needs and your taste buds.

All of the links above take you to the products on Amazon, but Thrive Market is an online market that I order low carb snacks and treats from all the time and they carry most of these brands as well. Use this link for 40% off your first order when you join Thrive Market!

Make sure to join our email list below to stay up to date on exclusive content, updates, and deals from my favorite diabetes friendly brands!