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Sugar vs. Sugar substitute — In-Depth Nutrition Comparison

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The main differences between Sugar and Sugar substitute

  • Sugar substitute is richer than Sugar in Calcium.
  • Daily need coverage for Calcium from Sugar substitute is 88% higher.
  • Sugar contains 25 times more Sugar than Sugar substitute. Sugar contains 99.8g of Sugar, while Sugar substitute contains 4.03g.

Food types used in this article are Sugars, granulated and Sweeteners, sugar substitute, granulated, brown.

Infographic

Sugar vs Sugar substitute infographic
Infographic link

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Sugar
2
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 0% 0.3% 0.18% 1.9% 2.3% 0.27% 0% 0.13% 0.52% 3.3%
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 4.3% 264% 3.4% 6% 2.3% 1.1% 3.4% 75% 2.9% 0%
Contains less SodiumSodium -99.8%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium +∞%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +∞%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +87800%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +1850%
Contains more IronIron +220%
Contains more ZincZinc +300%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +∞%
Contains more ManganeseManganese +450%
~equal in Copper ~0.007mg

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Sugar
1
Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 4.4% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 0% 0% 0% 0% 3.8% 3.5% 0% 4.8% 3.5% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +26.7%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 +∞%
~equal in Vitamin C ~mg
~equal in Vitamin A ~IU
~equal in Vitamin E ~mg
~equal in Vitamin D ~µg
~equal in Vitamin B3 ~mg
~equal in Vitamin B12 ~µg
~equal in Vitamin K ~µg
~equal in Folate ~µg
~equal in Choline ~mg

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Sugar
1
100%
Protein: 0 g
Fats: 0 g
Carbs: 99.98 g
Water: 0.02 g
Other: 0 g
2% 85% 9% 4%
Protein: 2.06 g
Fats: 0 g
Carbs: 84.77 g
Water: 9.14 g
Other: 4.03 g
Contains more CarbsCarbs +17.9%
Contains more ProteinProtein +∞%
Contains more WaterWater +45600%
Contains more OtherOther +∞%
~equal in Fats ~0g

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Sugar
1
100%
Starch: 0 g
Sucrose: 99.8 g
Glucose: 0 g
Fructose: 0 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0 g
Galactose: 0 g
47% 14% 39%
Starch: 3.52 g
Sucrose: 0 g
Glucose: 1.09 g
Fructose: 0 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 2.94 g
Galactose: 0 g
Contains more SucroseSucrose +∞%
Contains more StarchStarch +∞%
Contains more GlucoseGlucose +∞%
Contains more MaltoseMaltose +∞%
~equal in Fructose ~0g
~equal in Lactose ~0g
~equal in Galactose ~0g

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Sugar Sugar substitute
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in price ok
Rich in minerals ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Rich in vitamins ok

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Sugar Sugar substitute Opinion
Calories 387kcal 347kcal Sugar
Protein 0g 2.06g Sugar substitute
Net carbs 99.98g 84.17g Sugar
Carbs 99.98g 84.77g Sugar
Magnesium 0mg 6mg Sugar substitute
Calcium 1mg 879mg Sugar substitute
Potassium 2mg 39mg Sugar substitute
Iron 0.05mg 0.16mg Sugar substitute
Sugar 99.8g 4.03g Sugar substitute
Fiber 0g 0.6g Sugar substitute
Copper 0.007mg 0.007mg
Zinc 0.01mg 0.04mg Sugar substitute
Starch 3.52g Sugar substitute
Phosphorus 0mg 8mg Sugar substitute
Sodium 1mg 572mg Sugar
Manganese 0.004mg 0.022mg Sugar substitute
Selenium 0.6µg Sugar
Vitamin B1 0mg 0.015mg Sugar substitute
Vitamin B2 0.019mg 0.015mg Sugar
Vitamin B5 0mg 0.08mg Sugar substitute
Vitamin B6 0mg 0.015mg Sugar substitute

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Sugar Sugar substitute
Low Calories diet ok
Low Fats diet Equal
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

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Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
0%
Sugar
1%
Sugar substitute
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
1%
Sugar
36%
Sugar substitute

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
Sugar substitute
Sugar substitute is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 0mg)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Sugar substitute
Sugar substitute is lower in Sugar (difference - 95.77g)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Sugar substitute
Sugar substitute is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Sugar substitute
Sugar substitute is lower in glycemic index (difference - 25)
Which food is cheaper?
Sugar substitute
Sugar substitute is cheaper (difference - $0.1)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Sugar substitute
Sugar substitute is relatively richer in minerals
Which food contains less Sodium?
Sugar
Sugar contains less Sodium (difference - 571mg)
Which food is richer in vitamins?
Sugar
Sugar is relatively richer in vitamins

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Sugar - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169655/nutrients
  2. Sugar substitute - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170675/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.