What is Zero Sugar?
Zero sugar/Sugar Free means that there is no sugar in a product, or an insignificant amount for the body – usually under 0.5g per 100g. However, in order to make up for the lack of sugar in a product, brands often include artificial or natural sweeteners into the product. Fortunately, ViDrate is all about the latter one – natural!
We all know excess sugar is not good for us but our bodies do get cravings! So below we have tried to give you as much information as possible about sugar and what there is. Too much sugar can lead to weight gain as sugar, when not correctly digested, turns to fat.
Why sugar is bad for you
Like everything, sugar is needed in moderation. The recommendations are:
Children under 4 years: no guidelines but try to avoid foods/ drinks with added sugar
Children 4-6: should have up to 19g of free sugars a day
Children aged 7-10: should have up to 24g of free sugars a day
Adults: should have up to 30g of free sugars a day.
Free sugars are sugars that are in food and drinks. Although sugars that are naturally in foods such as fruits are good for you and you do not need to cut down on these types of sugars.
What are the other options to processed sugars?
Stevia
Stevia also known as steviol glycosides, is a plant extract used as a natural sweetener. It helps add natural sweetness to products without the need to add sugar or any artificial sweetener.
There are many benefits to using stevia:
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It is a non-nutritive sweetener meaning it contains almost zero calories.
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Helps level your blood sugar levels, which is especially important for people with diabetes.
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Helps lower cholesterol with no negative side effects
Stevia can be used on any food or drink, just like sugar. A teaspoon of table sugar is equivalent to a pinch of stevia powder as stevia contains a lot more sweetness.
ViDrate decided that stevia for us and the brand moving forward was the best natural sweetener to choose for our products. We did thorough research and testing at the start of our journey, including trying ingredients like the ones mentioned below, but for us in the end, stevia was the best choice.
Erythritol
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol, sugar alcohols are a sugar alternative, which has less calories and is better for you than table sugar. Erythritol contains 0.24 calories per gram, and it does not raise blood sugar, cholesterol, triglyceride and insulin levels.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and it has a similar taste to table sugar with less negative effects. It is found in fruit, vegetables, corn and birch wood. It contains 2.4 calories per gram and doesn’t raise blood sugar and insulin levels.
Yacon syrup
This is syrup, which is also known as Smallanthus Sonchifolius (some word that!), and is taken from the Yacon plant. It contains 1.3 calories per gram and has a thick consistency and a dark colour.
Coconut sugar
This sugar comes from the sap of the coconut plant. Coconut sugar is unfortunately the same amount of calories as regular sugar although it does contain small amount of nutrients and fibre but it is very similar to regular sugar.
Honey
Honey is a substance, which is produced by bees. It contains many antioxidants, which decreases chance of disease. Although it is still a sugar and contains but is natural!