But just because a product says it contains sugar doesn't mean it's good for you. For example, a sugary breakfast cereal may claim to have “less sugar” (reduced from what?) or that is “lightly sweetened” (a meaningless and unregulated term). This can make health-conscious shoppers think it's a better option. Sugar substitutes are sweeteners used instead of common table sugar (sucrose).
Artificial sweeteners are just one type of sugar substitute. For example, a chocolate bar and fruit shake may have similar total sugar levels, but one food gets its sugar from candy, caramel, and nougat; the other, from fresh fruits, dairy products, and vegetables. Sugar-free sugar is a good option if you want to eliminate artificial sugars or reduce the amount of added sugar in your diet. If you're trying to reduce sugar and calories from your diet, you may be turning to artificial sweeteners or other sugar substitutes.
