A product labeled as sugar-free is always calorie-free. True or False?

A product labeled as sugar-free is often misunderstood to imply that it is also calorie-free, but this is not necessarily the case. Many sugar-free products contain sugar substitutes, often referred to as non-nutritive sweeteners or sugar alcohols. While these substitutes typically have fewer calories than traditional sugar, they can still contribute calories to the final product.

For instance, sugar alcohols such as xylitol or erythritol provide some calories, albeit fewer than sugar itself. Additionally, other ingredients in sugar-free products can also add calories, such as fats or carbohydrates. Therefore, it is entirely plausible for a sugar-free product to contain a significant amount of calories, depending on its overall formulation and other ingredients.

Recognizing these nuances helps consumers make informed choices about their diet, emphasizing the importance of reading nutritional labels, not just the front packaging, for a complete understanding of what a product contains.