Sugar Free Popsicle Nutrition Information

Dec 8, 2009 | By Contributing Writer

Sugar free popsicles are a low-calorie way to satisfy your sweet tooth while on a calorie-restricted diet. Several brands are available, but sorting them out can be confusing. Remember the difference between "sugar free" popsicles and "no sugar added" popsicles. "Sugar free" popsicles typically don't include fruit of any kind while "no sugar added" popsicles contain fruit juice and in some cases, chunks of real fruit, which contain natural sugars and are typically higher in calories.

Water

The No. 1 ingredient in sugar free popsicles is water. Because sugar-free popsicles don't contain fruit juice, water is mixed with the artificial sweeteners and flavor to create each pop.

Calories

Sugar free popsicles contain no fat or protein and are low in calories. One 1.75 oz. pop contains 12 calories. Water is naturally calorie free, so all calories come from the artificial sweeteners.

Carbohydrates

All of the calories found in sugar free popsicles come from carbohydrates. Each 1.75 oz. pop contains about 3 g of carbohydrates. Despite the sugar free label, most brands contain a small amount of sugar, usually less than 1 g. The other carbohydrates come from sugar alcohols or other sweeteners.

Sugar Alcohol

Most "sugar free" foods typically contain sugar alcohols, chemical compounds similar in structure to sugar, but metabolized differently. Foods containing sugar alcohols are often popular among diabetics because blood sugar levels are not greatly affected after consumption. In addition, according to Yale-New Haven Hospital, sugar alcohols contain fewer calories per gram compared with sugar. However, excessive consumption of sugar alcohols can lead to bloating and a "laxative effect" in the body, so monitor consumption.

Vitamins/Minerals

While certain brands may contain different nutrients, sugar free popsicles are not typically high in vitamins and minerals. A typical sugar free popsicle contains a moderate amount of vitamin C (10 percent of daily value) and small amounts of iron (2 percent of daily value) and zinc (2 percent of daily value). Vitamin C is an antioxidant and helps to eliminate harmful free radicals in the body. Iron transports oxygen through the blood. Zinc plays an important role in cell metabolism. In addition, each popsicle contains negligible amounts of sodium, potassium and magnesium.