Chocolate is a guilty pleasure, even for diabetics. But the best and healthiest sugar-free dark chocolates for diabetics are hard to find. To give you relief, I tried the best dark chocolates for diabetics with a low to no amount of sugar.
In this Diabetic & Me article you will learn:
- Is sugar-free chocolate for diabetics better?
- What are the benefits of dark chocolate and diabetes?
- What is the best chocolate for diabetics?
The #1 Best Chocolate for Diabetics
What Kind of Chocolate Can Diabetics Eat?
It's a common myth that if you're a diabetic, you can't eat any chocolate. As chocolate is often associated with high sugar and carbohydrate content, it is often considered a forbidden food for people with diabetes. However, the good news is that dark chocolate consumption can actually be a healthy addition to a diabetic's diet when consumed in moderation.
Standard commercial chocolate bars are mostly made from sugars, fats, and a specific portion of chocolate to enhance their taste. Most of the time, the chocolate used in standard bars is very artificial. They use artificial cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and sugar alcohols.
There are a lot of chocolate variants but to make it easy, I reviewed several brands, from semisweet to almost zero-sugar dark chocolates. Made in a bar, dessert, or spread form. Keep in mind that sugar-free chocolates for diabetics are always the best option, and try to stay away from regular milk chocolate.
The Benefits of Dark Chocolate for Diabetics
Dark chocolate is a type of chocolate that is made with a high percentage of cocoa solids and little or no added sugar. As a result, it has a lower glycemic index (GI) than other types of chocolate, which means it does not cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels.
In fact, research has shown that the flavanols and polyphenols found in dark chocolate may help improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of heart disease in people with diabetes.
Additionally, dark chocolate is high in antioxidants, which can help protect against cellular damage and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. However, it is important to note that not all dark chocolate is created equal, and diabetics should choose brands with little or no added sugar and a high percentage of cocoa solids for maximum health benefits.
Which Chocolate Has the Least Sugar?
When it comes to chocolate with the least amount of sugar, it is best to look for dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa solids. Generally, the higher the percentage of cocoa solids, the less sugar there is in the chocolate.
Some brands of dark chocolate contain no added sugar at all, relying on the natural sweetness of the cocoa beans. These types of chocolate are often labeled "unsweetened" or "100% cocoa" and can be quite bitter.
However, for those who prefer a sweeter taste, there are also brands of dark chocolate that contain small amounts of sugar, usually in the form of natural sweeteners such as stevia or erythritol. In general, it is best to choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids and as little added sugar as possible for maximum health benefits, especially for people with diabetes.
The best way to identify which diabetic chocolate is best for diabetics;
- The minimum cocoa percentage in chocolate to make sure you have a good and healthy bar is above 70%.
- Always try to grab that bar that gives priority to cocoa in the ingredients.
- In-depth research shows that the cocoa beans from Colombia offer chocolate that is richer in nutrition.
To be more precise, darker chocolate is, most of the time, better compared to milk chocolate or white chocolate. Milk chocolate is mostly filled with a lot of sugar, and white chocolate has the highest level of sugar that affects your blood glucose levels.
Diabetics should prefer darker chocolate over any other.
What Is the Best Dark Chocolate for Diabetics?
After personal experience and research, I tasted the best dark chocolates for diabetics. Sugar-free options are put on top as they are the healthiest for diabetics.
1. The Good Chocolate Zero Sugar Chocolate Bars
- Sugar: 0 grams
- Cacao: 54% to 65%
We all know dark chocolate is an exceptional, delicious creation with a potentially creamy texture. Suppose you're watching what you eat and avoiding sugars. In that case, the exclusive recipe for The Good Chocolate Zero Sugar bars brings out the best in a revolutionary way: Bean-to-bar premium dark chocolate made only with organic ingredients, so it's not just healthy - it's also delicious.
Everything has been considered from vegan-friendly to gluten-free options to low glycemic index and metabolism-friendly to ensure that this product doesn't cheat your system and increases your blood sugar levels. Time to enjoy chocolate again with a balanced diet.
Perfect because;
2. Lily's Sugar-Free Dark Chocolate Bar
- Sugar: 0 grams
- Cacao: 92%
A diabetic can't leave sweeteners or something sweet completely. The best way to avoid them is the use of alternatives. A chocolate bar can be the best friend of a diabetic when it's chosen wisely.
When we talk about dark chocolates, most of them contain some sort of sugar. Diabetics love Lily's Dark chocolates because they are 100% sugar-free and gluten-free. The high-quality cacao beans used in its production make it even more special, delicious, and better compared to regular chocolate.
Perfect because;
3. Hershey's Sugar-Free Chocolate Candy
- Sugar: 0 grams
A bar of chocolate can make your day. Whether you want to eat it for yourself or gift a diabetic friend, it's always the perfect choice. Hershey's chocolates are always rich in cacao ranging from 35% to 75%. The best thing is that it also has a range of drinking beverages with chocolate in them.
Perfect because;
4. Lindt 99% High Cocoa Chocolate Bar
- Sugar: 1 gram
- Cacao: 99%
Lindt chocolate bars are perfect for every diabetic. They are low in saturated fat and sugar content (basically sugar-free) to keep your blood sugar regulated, providing many health benefits.
It's perfect to use in any dessert. You can eat, melt, or freeze it to make the perfect cake, ice, or smoothie in no time. If you have type 2 diabetes or Type 1 diabetes, you can taste this without any issues. It's best savored slowly for a truly intense experience.
Perfect because;
5. RED Delight Dark Chocolate Bar
- Sugar: Less than 1 gram
For ages, chocolate has been considered a gift for loved ones. Its silky-smooth taste and texture symbolize your feelings. RED Delight chocolate bars are the finest form of chocolate with no preservatives or sugar additives. It's almost sugar-free, the taste is amazing and sweet, and it is low in carbs.
Perfect because;
6. Lindt 90% Excellence Dark Chocolate Bar
- Sugar: 3 grams
- Cacao: 90%
Chocolate is a good source of calories and a hunger killer. Like many other precautions, diabetics must avoid traditional and commercial chocolates. A diabetic-friendly chocolate bar is a perfect solution to such problems. Lindt has dozens of variants regarding the best dark chocolate for diabetics. This excellent variant of Lindt is a perfect choice for those who are on insulin and can't resist sweeteners. It's the younger brother of the 95% version, but it contains a bit more sugar but has less cacao in it.
Perfect because;
7. Bouchard Belgian Dark Chocolate
- Sugar: 8 grams
- Cacao: 72%
Antioxidants are vital in human growth and the body's immune system. Almost everything needs antioxidants. A quick and rich source of antioxidants is chocolates.
Being a diabetic, it's a bit difficult to resist chocolate and sweet desserts. After researching a lot of brands, I found Bouchard Belgian gluten-free chocolate. Although it tastes a bit different from commercial chocolate and still has a portion of sugar in it, it's still a great value for a diabetic.
Perfect because;
Is There Sugar-free Chocolate?
Diabetes is not only a worldwide growing disease but also a life-changing event in someone’s life. To normalize the life of diabetics almost every brand launches its own sugar-free products.
Chocolate is not a sweetener in itself, different additives make it taste sweet. So, there are a lot of brands that offer sugar-free dark chocolates. The Good Chocolate, Lily's, and Hershey's are some of the most famous brands that offer sugar-free chocolate. Bouchard Belgian and Hershey’s are also known for gluten-free chocolate.
Is Sugar-free Chocolate Ok for Diabetics?
Anything labeled as sugar-free or gluten-free doesn’t mean it is suitable and healthy for people with diabetes. When we talk in general, we assume people with diabetes that have good regulated sugar levels. So, the answer is "YES", sugar-free chocolates or diabetic chocolate are OK for diabetics. But always keep in mind that anything more than enough can potentially raise your blood sugar levels. So make sure you always check your blood sugar levels before and after you eat chocolate. This also depends on how much chocolate you eat.
If you have diabetes your health is mainly dependent upon what you eat. Regular commercial sugar-sweetened dark chocolate isn’t less than sweet poison for diabetics. Being a diabetic most of the time I also found myself in great trouble when eating chocolate. Eating sugar-free or low in sugar chocolate keeps my blood sugar levels under control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dark Chocolate Good For Diabetics?
While there is no cure for diabetes, there are steps that can be taken to manage the condition and minimize its impact on your health. One such step is to eat a healthy diet. And while you may think that chocolate is off-limits for diabetics, dark chocolate can actually be part of a healthy diet. Dark chocolate contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants that can help to lower blood sugar levels. In addition, dark chocolate is a good source of fiber, which can help to regulate digestion and keep you feeling full longer. So if you're looking for a delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth, eating dark chocolate might have great health benefits.
Conclusion
Chocolate is a symbol of love and joy but as a person diagnosed with diabetes, things start getting a bit more complicated. A lot of companies offer the best dark chocolate bars for diabetics. The dark chocolate bars are sometimes mixed up with nuts and other fruits. As we all know that every individual has his own choice, I tried to find out the most popular, best quality, and healthiest dark chocolates for diabetics.
Being a diabetic by myself I highly recommend The Good Chocolate Bar. Its taste is incredible and it contains 0 grams of sugar making it a super delicious sugar-free chocolate. Grab one for yourself and start enjoying dark chocolate.
Last update on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sources
To ensure that we give you correct, accurate, and relevant information, all articles on Diabetic & Me are backed by verified information from academic research papers, well-known organizations, research institutions, and medical associations.
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