10 delicious low-sugar chocolate recommendations! We'll explain the characteristics and how to choose.
Even if you want to cut down on carbohydrates for beauty and health reasons, don't you sometimes find yourself wanting to eat chocolate? Some people may say, “I want to be soothed by the melting texture, sweetness, and rich bitter taste of chocolate.
In this article, we will introduce 10 types of delicious, low-sugar chocolate. We will also explain the key points to consider when choosing low-sugar chocolate, so please find this useful when making your purchases.
The three characteristics of low-sugar chocolate and how to choose it
Low-sugar chocolate is chocolate that contains less sugar than regular chocolate. Regular chocolate contains a lot of sugar and starch syrup, but low-sugar chocolate does not use these sugars or uses them in moderation, and other measures are taken to increase the amount of cocoa.
We will explain the three characteristics of low-sugar chocolate, as well as the points to look for when choosing it.
1. No sugar added, or low sugar content
Low-sugar chocolate is made without using sugar or corn syrup, or with only a small amount of sugar or corn syrup. In some cases, artificial or natural sweeteners are used instead of sugar or corn syrup.
Artificial sweeteners are sweeteners that have been chemically synthesized. Aspartame, acesulfame-K, and sucralose are examples of artificial sweeteners. On the other hand, natural sweeteners are made from the sweetening ingredients contained in plant leaves and fruits, and examples include stevia and licorice. The diet effect of consuming artificial sweeteners over a long period of time has not been proven, and in some cases it is difficult to feel satisfied after eating them, leading to overeating. Therefore, when choosing low-sugar chocolate, it is recommended to choose products that use natural sweeteners instead of sugar.
Please note that the labeling of low-sugar chocolate products may differ from product to product, with some products being labeled as having zero carbohydrates, zero sugar, or no sugar added. Even if a product is labeled as “sugar-free” or “zero sugar”, it is generally the case that a small amount of sugar is still included. For example, “sugar-free” means that no sugar is added during the processing stage, but it is possible that the chocolate itself contains sugar. Even if a product is labeled as low-sugar, please do not let your guard down and eat too much.
2. Some low-sugar chocolate uses ingredients that make it difficult to absorb sugar and fat
Some low-sugar chocolate uses ingredients such as indigestible dextrin and oligosaccharides that are expected to reduce the absorption of sugar and fat. When eating low-sugar chocolate, it is a good idea to choose products that use indigestible dextrin and oligosaccharides.
It is also recommended to choose gluten-free products. Gluten-free means that the product does not contain gluten, a protein derived from wheat. Since many wheat products that contain gluten are high in calories, it is hoped that by reducing the intake of these products, a slimming effect can be achieved.
Even if a product is low in sugar and fat absorption, excessive intake can lead to an excess of calories, so be careful not to eat too much.
3. Low-sugar chocolate with a high cacao content
One of the characteristics of low-sugar chocolate is that it contains a high proportion of cocoa. Because a high proportion of cocoa means a relatively low proportion of sugar and sweeteners, it helps to reduce the amount of carbohydrates. The appeal of low-sugar chocolate is that you can enjoy the richness and bittersweetness of cocoa while also reducing the amount of carbohydrates you consume.
For this reason, when choosing low-sugar chocolate, we recommend choosing a high-cocoa product. While the cocoa content of regular milk chocolate is around 30%, the cocoa content of typical high-cocoa chocolate is 70% or more, and some products have a cocoa content of 90% or more. Another good point is that cocoa beans are rich in dietary fiber and polyphenols, which are well-known as antioxidants.
5 popular low-sugar chocolate products that you can buy at supermarkets and convenience stores
We will introduce popular low-sugar chocolate products that you can easily buy at supermarkets and convenience stores. Let's take a look at the taste, recommended points, and product lineup.
1. Lotte “ZERO
Lotte's “ZERO” is a long-selling brand of low-sugar chocolate that was first released in 1996. It contains no sugar or other sweeteners, but when you bite into it, the rich flavor of the chocolate spreads throughout your mouth.
The sweet and rich “ZERO” and the high-cacao “ZERO<70%>” are chocolates made using Lotte's unique technology. You can enjoy the savory flavor of biscuits in the “Zero Sugar-Free Chocolate Crisp”, and the small cube shape of the “Zero Sugar-Free Chocolate” makes it easy to pick up and enjoy anytime, anywhere. In addition, the “Zero Chocolate (in a bag)” is also recommended for sharing with family and friends, and the “ZERO Parfait” is a parfait with chocolate inside, and the wide range of products available is also one of the appeals of the ZERO series.
The ZERO brand also has ice cream products, so you can enjoy chilled sweets while watching your sugar intake even in the hot summer.
2. Seven-Eleven “7 Premium High Cacao Chocolate (73% Cacao)
Seven-Eleven's ‘7 Premium High Cacao Chocolate (73% Cacao)’ is a bite-sized cube-shaped high cacao chocolate. The chocolate is made from cocoa beans that have been certified as Fair Trade by the non-profit organization Fair Trade Label Japan. You can enjoy the richness and mildness that only high-cocoa chocolate can offer.
The chocolate comes in a resealable bag, so it's convenient to carry around, and it's also recommended as a snack to enjoy when you need a break from your desk work or as a treat when you're dieting.
3. Meiji “Chocolate Effect” series
Meiji “Chocolate Effect” is a long-selling series of high-cocoa-content chocolate that was first launched in 1998. Chocolate Effect, which uses cocoa rich in polyphenols, is available in three different blends: 72%, 86% and 95%.
The wide variety of types is another feature of Chocolate Effect. The standard boxed type is easy for first-time users to try. The 26-piece type, the large bag with plenty of roasted almonds, and the large bag with rich macadamia nuts are perfect for sharing with family and friends. You can also choose from other types, such as the easy-to-carry pouch type, the small bag type for those who want to eat a little, the mini cube type, and the “Chocolate Effect CACAO Paste” paste type, to suit your eating situation and preferences.
In addition, the “Chocolate Effect W Plus Cacao 72%” functional food contains cacao flavanols, which are expected to increase good cholesterol and lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
4. Sho-ei Delicy “Low-sugar Milk Chocolate
Sho-ei Delicy's ‘Low-sugar Milk Chocolate’ is a milk chocolate that is particular about three things: taste, health, and peace of mind. It contains no sweeteners and has 30% less sugar. Despite being low in sugar, it has a rich, smooth milk flavor and a refreshing sweetness.
The product line-up includes two types: 'Low Sugar Milk Chocolate' (93g) and 'Low Sugar Milk Chocolate Personal' (40g). The contents of the bag are individually wrapped, so you can buy the larger 93g bag with peace of mind. For those who might eat too much if they buy a large quantity at once, we recommend the “Low-Sugar Milk Chocolate Personal” with its smaller quantity.
5. Meiji “Oligo Smart
Meiji's ‘Oligo Smart’ is a food with functional claims that contains ‘fructo-oligosaccharides’ to increase bifidobacteria and regulate intestinal flora. Fructo-oligosaccharides, which are found in burdock and bananas, are not absorbed as sugar but instead become a source of nutrition for bifidobacteria and other bacteria.
Fructo-oligosaccharides are said to have about half the calories of sugar. The Oligo Smart series is a low-sugar chocolate that combines the goodness for your stomach with deliciousness, with some or all of the sugar replaced with fructo-oligosaccharides.
The product lineup includes “Oligo Smart Cacao Rich Deep Milk Chocolate” (65g box type and 200g large bag type), “Oligo Smart Rich Milk Chocolate” (65g box type), and “Oligo Smart 100 Milk Chocolate” (60g box type). Ice cream is also sold, and you can enjoy two flavors: vanilla and green tea.
NATUVIEW has a wide range of attractive sweets, including low-sugar chocolate and gluten-free foods that are great for people on a diet. They are perfect for everyday use, as a treat for yourself for all your hard work, or as a gift for someone special.
For more information, please click here.