What is the difference between No Added Sugar and Sugar Free? Very few people know
- bySherya
- 06 Jun, 2025

Often you must have seen No Added Sugar and Sugar Free written on food packets bought from the market. Many people think that these two sentences mean the same thing. But this is not the case at all. Let us tell you in this article today what is the difference between these two and which product you should buy.

In today's era when people are becoming aware about fitness and healthy diet, it has become important to understand the words written on the food products available in the market. Especially when it comes to sugar, many people get confused. Often you must have seen 'No Added Sugar' or 'Sugar Free' on the packaging. Both of these sound similar, but there is a big difference between them, which can directly affect your health.
If you are diabetic, losing weight or just making a habit of eating healthy, then it is very important for you to understand the meaning of these two words. So let's know what is the difference between 'No Added Sugar' and 'Sugar Free', which product should be chosen. The difference between these two has been explained in the report of 'American Heart Association' , which is as follows.
What does 'No Added Sugar' mean?
No added sugar means that no extra sugar has been added to that item. That is, neither white sugar nor any sweet substance like jaggery, honey or syrup has been added to it. But this does not mean that the item is not sweet at all. It may contain naturally present sugar from things like fruits, milk or grains. Therefore, if you are diabetic or want to control sugar, then use such products in limited quantity.
What does 'Sugar Free' mean?
Sugar free means that the product contains neither natural sugar nor any added sugar. That is, it may taste sweet, but that sweetness comes from artificial sweeteners such as sucralose, aspartame or stevia. Such products are usually made for diabetics and those who want to lose weight, but they should not be consumed excessively because some artificial sweeteners can also have side effects.
Which one is right for you?
If you are just moving towards a healthy lifestyle and want to reduce sugar, then products with no added sugar are a better option as they also contain some amount of nutrition. But if you are diabetic or want to avoid sugar completely, then Sugar Free options may be safe for you.