Low-Sugar Snacks

What counts as a low-sugar snack?

In UK law a food can claim "low sugars" only if it has no more than 5g of sugars per 100g (2.5g per 100ml for drinks), and "sugars free" only at 0.5g or less per 100g or 100ml. "No added sugars" means no sugars were added, though the food can still contain naturally occurring sugars.

The NHS uses the same 5g per 100g line for low sugar on traffic-light labels, with more than 22.5g per 100g counted as high. Adults should have no more than 30g of free sugars a day. This collection currently includes protein bars and a high-protein shake.

What replaces the sugar?

Usually sweeteners such as sucralose, or polyols (sugar alcohols) such as maltitol, sorbitol or erythritol. The NHS says approved sweeteners are a safe and acceptable alternative to sugar, but aspartame isn't suitable for people with phenylketonuria (PKU).

By law, foods with sweeteners must say "with sweetener(s)", and foods with more than 10% added polyols must say "excessive consumption may produce laxative effects". Polyols appear under carbohydrate, not sugars.

Are low-sugar snacks lower in calories?

Not necessarily. Fat provides 9 kcal per gram, compared with 4 kcal for sugar and protein, so a low-sugar bar with a chocolate coating can carry as many calories as a regular snack. Compare calories per serving, not just sugar.

If you have diabetes, speak to your GP, diabetes nurse or a dietitian about how these foods fit your diet.

We sell the products on this page. That's our commercial interest, and it's why we show the evidence alongside them. This page is general information for adults, not personalised medical advice.

Written by Andy Arshad, SupplementHQ. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.