Dine and Wine Travel Guide

Sugar-Free Chocolates

Compare Calories Before You Buy Sugar-Free Chocolates

 

When contemplating what to get that special someone, we often think of sweet treets. Although, you may want to consider calories-and surprisingly, sugar-free may not be the best way to go. If you think purchasing sugar-free chocolates will reduce caloric intake-before you purchase that sugar-free, colorful box of chocolates, you might want to compare the calories per serving to the regular sugar-sweetened version.

The Sugar Association commissioned research at the University of Georgia, Division of Nutrition, School of Health Professions, College of Health and Human Sciences. Graduate students compared sugar-sweetened products and reduced-sugar foods for calorie, fat, saturated fat and sugar differences.

For 53 percent of the 74 products included in the comparisons, the calorie savings were less than 25 percent of total calories on a unit basis. For 9 percent of the products, the calories actually increased on a unit basis.

Five popular chocolates were compared to their sugar-free counterparts and not one of the sugar-free products had a significant caloric reduction (25 percent for an FDA reduced-calorie claim). In fact, four of the five sugar-free chocolate products had higher fat and saturated fat content per serving than their regular sugar-based comparison.

Sugar-free does not mean calorie-free and, as you can see, often means more fat. Why sacrifice taste when your sweetheart might be better off with the all-natural, sugar-sweetened chocolate candy? What a sweet deal. Sugar-sweetened chocolate may actually have fewer calories than sugar-free chocolate.

Whether you dine at The Hamiltons’ or visit one of Downtown Charlottesville’s other fine restaurants, you're certain to enjoy a memorable dining experience! While in Charlottesville and Albemarle County you can also tour and enjoy tastings at more than 20 vineyards along the Monticello Wine Trail. If you prefer hops there are several small award-winning breweries along the Brew Ridge Trail to visit as well.

By Guest Contributor - Sugar Association

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Learn more about the Sugar Association

 

Guest Contributors -  Sugar Association is one of the Guest Contributors who share a wide variety of topics of interest, and subjects.

 

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