“Sugar-Free” Means Safe for Keto, Right? Wrong — The Sweetener Trap You Need to Avoid

Go into any supermarket. You’ll see “sugar-free” all over chocolate bars and sweets. If you’re on a sugar free and keto diet, it feels like the safe choice. No sugar must mean keto-friendly… right?

Wrong.

Most “sugar-free” chocolate is not keto-safe. It can spike your blood sugar almost as much as normal chocolate. The reason? A sweetener called maltitol.

In this post you’ll learn:

• Is sugar free and keto the same thing?

• The difference between sugar free and keto products.

• Why maltitol is the hidden trap in sugar-free sweets.

• How you can enjoy sugar free and keto desserts without the sugar spikes.

Is Sugar Free and Keto the Same?

A common question is: is sugar free and keto the same?

No.

“Sugar-free” means the product has less than 0.5g of sugar per 100g. It does not tell you about carbs or how the sweetener affects your blood sugar.

Keto means keeping carbs very low so your body stays in ketosis. Many sugar-free products are still high in carbs. 

Sweeteners like maltitol push up blood sugar.

This is why there’s a big difference between sugar free and keto chocolate. Some fit your diet. Others will knock you out of ketosis.

The Maltitol Problem

Maltitol is one of the most common sweeteners in sugar-free sweets and chocolate. Brands use it because:

• It’s cheap

• It tastes sort of like sugar.

• It makes the label say “sugar-free.”

But maltitol still raises blood sugar.

Its glycaemic index is 35–52. (Table sugar is 60.) So it’s not as high as sugar, but it’s still a problem if you’re keto or diabetic.

So when you buy “sugar-free” chocolate with maltitol, here’s what you get:

• A blood sugar spike.

• Carbs that can stop ketosis.

• Insulin release 

What’s the Difference Between Sugar Free and Real Keto Chocolate?

Let’s break it down:

• Sugar Free Chocolate generally:

• Use maltitol.

• Lower in sugar but still high in carbs.

• Raises blood sugar.

• Keto Chocolate (ie Deliciously Guilt Free):

• Use erythritol, stevia, and inulin.

• Extremely low net carbs (under 2g per serving).

• Made to keep you in ketosis.

So all sugar free chocolate is called “keto” 

But not all sugar free chocolate is keto!

How Deliciously Guilt Free Does It Differently

At Deliciously Guilt Free, we make chocolate that works for keto, low carb, and diabetes.

We created SweetLock™ to replace maltitol. It blends:

• Erythritol – near zero blood sugar impact.

• Stevia – plant-based sweetness.

• Inulin – a natural fibre pro biotic

That means chocolate that:

• Has lower net carbs per serving.

• Fits your diet.

• Tastes like normal chocolate without the spike.

In blind taste tests, people couldn’t tell the difference between Deliciously Guilt Free and supermarket chocolate. But their blood sugar monitors could.

Proof from Customers

Here’s what people say about our sugar free and keto chocolate desserts:

• “I’m type 2 diabetic. This is the only chocolate that doesn’t mess up my sugars.”

• “Tastes like Cadbury’s, but I stay in ketosis.”

• “I didn’t believe it at first. One square killed my cravings with no guilt.”

Over 5,000 verified reviews show that Deliciously Guilt Free lets you enjoy chocolate and stay on track.

Bottom Line

So, what’s the difference between sugar free and keto?

• Sugar-free products may still raise blood sugar — especially if they use maltitol.

• Keto products are low-carb and safe for diabetics.

Next time you see a sugar-free label, check the sweetener. If it says maltitol, it’s not really keto.

At Deliciously Guilt Free, we make chocolate with SweetLock™ — no maltitol, no spikes, no gimmicks.

👉 Want chocolate that fits your sugar free and keto diet? Shop our low-carb chocolate bars here.