Buy sugar-free nougat

Name: La Colmena Nougats
Price range: $$

Nougats with no added sugars. Can you buy them?

Buying sugar-free nougat is often a popular option among people who want to control their sugar intake but still want to enjoy the authentic taste of artisanal nougat.

Nougats with no added sugars are those made without adding sugar or honey to the ingredient list, where sugar is replaced with sweeteners.

If you are looking to limit the amount of sugar in your diet, whether to keep carbohydrates in check or on medical advice, here you can find artisan sugar-free nougats. But how can we make our sweets without honey or sugar? We explain everything below:

Sugar-free nougat: What is the difference compared to traditional nougat?

The difference between traditional nougats and nougat with no added sugars is simply that sugar and honey are replaced with sweeteners. These sweeteners are maltitol and sorbitol. Both maltitol and sorbitol are the most commonly used sugar alcohols to replace sugar.

In the sugar-free nougat you can buy in our shop, apart from replacing these two elements, there are no other significant changes. The recipe and production process remain the same, and the predominant flavour is toasted almond (which is usually toasted a little more to give the nougat a more intense flavour).

These sweets with no added sugars, as they are made in the same traditional way, are produced on a different day to avoid mistakes or cross-contamination with sugar. The ingredients used are: toasted almonds (67%), sweeteners (maltitol and sorbitol), and egg white.

What are maltitol and sorbitol?

Maltitol and sorbitol are two of the most widely used sweeteners to sweeten sugar-free nougat and chocolate.

Maltitol is marketed under the name E-965 and is very good because it is metabolised almost entirely, providing around 4 kcal per gram (similar to traditional sugar). It is ideal because it sweetens more than sugar while using a smaller amount. It can be useful for diabetics provided that consumption is controlled.

Sorbitol is marketed under the name E-420 and provides only 2 kcal per gram. It is used because it is an excellent humectant and texturiser: it gives our artisan sugar-free nougats a very creamy texture. Contrary to popular belief, these two products are not carcinogenic.

Since maltitol is partially digested by the body, in appreciable amounts and with regular consumption, it may have a laxative effect and cause gastrointestinal symptoms (you would need to eat several bars of sugar-free nougat). Therefore, it is not recommended for people with irritable bowel syndrome.

Nougat for diabetics: Does it exist?

This nougat, as it contains no added sugars in its composition, can be considered nougat suitable for diabetics. This is because it has only 3% sugar in its nutritional table—sugar that occurs naturally in almonds.

In addition, it is also suitable for people who wish to consume less sugar at Christmas, but please note: IT IS NOT A DIET NOUGAT. The nougat we make contains a high proportion of almonds. Almonds are a nut with a high protein value that, above all, provides calories. Thinking that this serves as sugar-free nougat for weight loss is a serious mistake.

It is unfortunate to see news in newspapers or on television with headlines such as “The big scam of sugar-free nougat” or “the lie of nougat that does not make you gain weight”, trying to present this sweet as a diet product. We do not sell it as such. This nougat is made so that everyone can enjoy it at Christmas.