РИА Новости5 hours agoHealth1 min readRussia

Products labeled “sugar-free” may be high in calories and hinder weight loss

Quick Look

Endocrinologist Ekaterina Sakhnova warned that products labeled “sugar-free” may contain many calories due to fats and other components, and do not always contribute to weight loss.
She recommended paying attention to calories, serving size and ingredients, not just labeling.

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Why It Matters

Sugar-free labels on foods are often perceived by consumers as a sign that they are low in calories and healthy for the diet, but experts warn that the absence of sugar does not guarantee a low-energy product.

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Products labeled “sugar-free” can be high in calories and hinder weight loss, said endocrinologist and nutritionist at the Scandinavian Health Center Ekaterina Sakhnova.

“The “sugar-free” label means that the product contains virtually no sugar, but the amount of fat, calories and other components may remain high. For example, sugar-free chocolate still contains cocoa butter, and cookies contain flour and fat,” Izvestia writes, citing Sakhnova.

Sugar-free foods can help you lose weight if they actually replace higher-calorie foods, she says.

"If there is little sugar, the regular version can remain part of a balanced diet. Zero foods make more sense in cases where the original product contains a lot of sugar and is consumed regularly," the doctor said.

She recommended looking not only at the “sugar-free” label, but also at the calorie content, serving size and composition of the product.

Open Questions

What specific sugar alcohols are most commonly used in such foods and how do they affect digestion?
Are there official regulations or standards governing the use of “sugar-free” labeling in Russia?
How often do consumers mistakenly choose these foods because they believe they are low in calories?