Following a ketogenic diet involves cutting back on high-carb foods like starches, desserts, and processed snacks. This is essential to reaching a metabolic state called ketosis, which causes your body to begin breaking down fat stores instead of carbs to produce energy. Ketosis also requires reducing sugar consumption, which can make it challenging to sweeten beverages, baked goods, sauces, and dressings. Fortunately, there are various low-carb sweeteners that you can enjoy. Sweeteners like stevia, sucralose, erythritol, xylitol, monk fruit, and yacon syrup can easily fit into a low carb or ketogenic diet. However, you may need to limit your intake of other sweeteners high in carbs or sugar on a low carb diet.
Best Sweeteners for a Low-Carb Keto Diet
Here are some of the best sweeteners for a low-carb keto diet, along with considerations for their use:
Stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It’s considered a nonnutritive sweetener, which means that it contains little to no calories or carbs. Unlike regular sugar, animal and human studies have shown that stevia may help lower blood sugar levels.
Stevia is available in both liquid and powdered form and can be used to sweeten everything from drinks to desserts. However, because it’s much sweeter than regular sugar, recipes require less stevia to achieve the same flavor. For each cup, or 200 grams (g), of sugar, substitute only 1 teaspoon (tsp), or 4 g, of powdered stevia.
Sucralose
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that is not metabolized, meaning it passes through your body undigested and thus doesn’t provide calories or carbs. Splenda is the most common sucralose-based sweetener on the market and is popular because it lacks the bitter taste found in many other artificial sweeteners.
Read also: Make delicious keto pancake syrup at home.
While sucralose itself is calorie-free, Splenda contains maltodextrin and dextrose, two carbs that supply about 3 calories and 1 g of carbs in each packet. Unlike other types of sweeteners, sucralose may not be a suitable substitute for sugar in recipes that require baking. Some studies have found that sucralose could produce harmful compounds when exposed to high temperatures.
Instead, use sucralose as a low-carb way to sweeten drinks or foods like oatmeal and yogurt and stick to other sweeteners for baking. Splenda can be substituted for sugar in a 1:1 ratio for most recipes. However, pure sucralose is 600 times sweeter than regular sugar, so you’ll only need to use a tiny amount in place of sugar for your favorite foods.
Erythritol
Erythritol is a type of sugar alcohol - a class of naturally occurring compounds that stimulate the sweet taste receptors on your tongue to mimic the taste of sugar. It’s up to 80% as sweet as regular sugar, yet it contains only 5% of the calories at just 0.2 calories per g.
Additionally, though erythritol has 4 g of carbs per tsp (4 g), studies show that it may help lower blood sugar levels in your body. Moreover, due to its smaller molecular weight, it typically doesn’t cause the digestive issues associated with other types of sugar alcohols.
Erythritol is used in both baking and cooking and can be substituted for sugar in a wide variety of recipes. Keep in mind that it tends to have a cooling mouthfeel and doesn’t dissolve as well as sugar, which can leave foods with a slightly gritty texture. For best results, swap about 1 1/3 cups (267 g) of erythritol for each cup (200 g) of sugar.
Read also: Maple Syrup on Keto: What You Need to Know
Xylitol
Xylitol is another type of sugar alcohol commonly found in products like sugar-free gum, candies, and mints. It’s as sweet as sugar but contains just 3 calories per g and 4 g of carbs per tsp (4 g). Yet, like other sugar alcohols, the carbs in xylitol don’t count as net carbs, as they don’t raise blood sugar or insulin levels to the extent that sugar does.
Xylitol can be easily added to tea, coffee, shakes, or smoothies for a low-carb kick of flavor. It also works well in baked goods but may require a bit of extra liquid in the recipe, as it tends to absorb moisture and increase dryness. Because xylitol is as sweet as regular sugar, you can exchange it for sugar in a 1:1 ratio. Note that xylitol has been associated with digestive problems when used in high doses, so scale back your intake if you notice any adverse effects.
Monk Fruit Sweetener
As its name implies, monk fruit sweetener is a natural sweetener extracted from the monk fruit, a plant native to southern China. It contains natural sugars and compounds called mogrosides, which are antioxidants that account for much of the sweetness of the fruit.
Depending on the concentration of mogrosides, monk fruit sweetener can be anywhere between 100-250 times sweeter than regular sugar. Monk fruit extract contains no calories and no carbs, making it a great option for a ketogenic diet. One older study found that mogrosides may also stimulate the release of insulin, which can improve the transportation of sugar out of the bloodstream to help manage blood sugar levels.
Be sure to check the ingredients label when buying monk fruit sweetener, as monk fruit extract is sometimes mixed with sugar, molasses, or other sweeteners that can alter the total calorie and carb content. Monk fruit sweetener can be used anywhere you would use regular sugar. The amount you use can vary between different brands based on what other ingredients may be included. While some recommend substituting using an equal amount of monk fruit sweetener for sugar, others advise cutting the amount of sweetener in half.
Read also: Sugar-Free Pancake Topping
Yacon Syrup
Yacon syrup comes from the roots of the yacon plant, a tuber widely grown in South America. The sweet syrup of the yacon plant is rich in fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a type of soluble fiber that your body is unable to digest. It also contains several simple sugars, including sucrose, fructose, and glucose.
Since your body doesn’t digest a large portion of yacon syrup, it contains about half the calories of regular sugar, with just 7 calories per tsp, or 5 milliliters (mL). Additionally, though it has about 4 g of carbs per tsp (5 mL), studies show that the carbs in yacon syrup don’t affect blood sugar the way regular sugar does. In fact, both human and animal studies have found that yacon syrup may help reduce blood sugar and insulin levels to promote blood sugar control.
Yacon syrup is best used as a sweetener in place of sugar in coffee, tea, cereal, or salad dressings. However, cooking with yacon syrup is not recommended, as the fructooligosaccharides can break down when exposed to high temperatures, according to some older research. Substitute yacon syrup using an equal amount in place of other liquid sweeteners like molasses, corn syrup, or cane juice.
Sweeteners to Avoid on a Keto Diet
While there are plenty of options for low-carb sweeteners you can enjoy on a ketogenic diet, there are many others that aren’t ideal. Here are a few sweeteners that are high in carbs, can increase blood sugar levels, and interrupt ketosis:
- Maltodextrin: This highly processed sweetener is produced from starchy plants like rice, corn, or wheat and contains the same amount of calories and carbs as regular sugar.
- Honey: High-quality honey contains antioxidants and nutrients, making it a better choice than refined sugar. However, it’s still high in calories and carbs and may not be suitable for a keto diet.
- Coconut sugar: Made from the sap of the coconut palm, coconut sugar is absorbed more slowly than regular sugar. However, it’s also high in fructose, which can contribute to impaired blood sugar control.
- Maple syrup: Each serving of maple syrup packs a good amount of micronutrients like manganese and zinc but is also high in sugar and carbs.
- Agave nectar: Agave nectar is about 80% fructose, which can decrease your body’s sensitivity to insulin and contribute to metabolic syndrome, making it difficult for your body to regulate blood sugar levels.
- Dates: This dried fruit is often used to sweeten desserts naturally. Despite supplying a small amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, dates also contain a substantial amount of carbs.
Keto-Friendly Syrup Brands and Products
For those looking for keto-friendly syrups specifically for pancakes, waffles, or other desserts, several brands offer suitable options:
- Nature’s Hollow: This brand offers maple and raspberry syrups sweetened with xylitol. The ingredients are considered clean and keto-friendly, but it's important to monitor intake due to the potential for GI issues from excessive sugar alcohol consumption.
- Walden Farms: Walden Farms provides a variety of syrup flavors, including blueberry, caramel, maple bacon, and chocolate. These syrups are sweetened with erythritol.
- Great Value (Walmart Brand): While the ingredients may not be the cleanest, this syrup is readily available at Walmart and is a more budget-friendly option.
- ChocZero: ChocZero offers keto syrups in various chocolate flavors, sweetened with monk fruit and resistant dextrin. However, resistant dextrin can be controversial, as some individuals experience blood sugar spikes with its use.
- Lakanto: Known for its monk fruit sweeteners, Lakanto offers a syrup that is a bit more watery than other options. However, it is widely available and suitable for keto and low-carb diets.
- Wholesome Yum Keto Maple Syrup: This syrup uses a signature blend of monk fruit sweetener and allulose. Many reviewers praise its taste and texture, noting that it closely resembles real maple syrup without any aftertaste. It's versatile and can be used in baking, smoothies, and as a topping for various desserts.
- BESTI: This syrup uses a blend of monk fruit sweetener and allulose, aiming to replicate the taste of real maple syrup without the carbs.
Keto Coffee Syrups and Sweeteners
For coffee lovers following a keto diet, it's essential to avoid sugary syrups and sweeteners that can kick you out of ketosis. Here are some keto-friendly options for sweetening your coffee:
- Black Coffee: Plain black coffee is naturally keto-friendly, containing virtually no carbs or calories.
- Keto-Friendly Sweeteners: Liquid stevia mix, monk fruit sweetener, and erythritol are all suitable options for sweetening coffee on a keto diet.
- Skinny Mixes: This company specializes in producing a wide range of guilt-free, sugar-free syrups designed for keto dieters. They offer over 50 different flavors, allowing for creative and flavorful keto coffee recipes.
- Heavy Cream: Adding a dollop of heavy cream to your coffee can provide creaminess and healthy fats, aligning with the keto diet's emphasis on high-fat foods.
- Grass-fed Butter or Ghee: Adding grass-fed butter or ghee to coffee, as in bulletproof coffee, can increase calorie count and provide a liquid breakfast option.
- MCT Oil: This flavorless and odorless oil can be added to coffee for an extra boost of healthy fats.
- Keto Coffee Creamers: Many keto coffee creamers are available in the marketplace, offering various flavors and low-carb ingredients.
Keto Coffee Recipes
You can make your own coffee recipes at home so that you can still enjoy your favorite flavors while sticking with a low carb diet. The following recipes are some of the best keto friendly coffee recipes.
- Sugar-Free Salted Caramel Iced Coffee: Combine 1 cup chilled coffee, 2 tbsp of Sugar Free Salted Caramel Syrup and milk or cream to taste to a glass full of ice. Stir and top with a drizzle of caramel sauce (sugar-free).
- Sugar-Free Caramel Macchiato: Combine 2 tbsp Sugar Free Caramel Skinny Syrup, 2 shots espresso, heavy cream (pour until it clouds or until the coffee is the color of your preference). Cap and shake vigorously.