7 Healthy Sugar Substitutes for Coffee (With No Aftertaste)

When choosing a sugar substitute for coffee, it's essential to consider your dietary preferences, health goals, and taste preferences. Experiment with different options to find the one that suits you best. The most common natural options include coconut sugar, allulose, cocoa powder, honey, maple syrup, yacon syrup and monk fruit.

What is the Healthiest Substitute for Sugar in Coffee?

Ultimately, the healthiest sugar substitute for coffee depends on your dietary preferences and health goals. If you're looking to minimize calorie intake and avoid blood sugar spikes, stevia or monk fruit sweeteners are excellent options.

If you prefer a more natural sweetener with fewer processing steps, consider coconut sugar. Experiment with these alternatives to find the one that suits your taste and dietary needs the best.

Natural Sweeteners that Work Best as Sugar Substitutes

  • Coconut Sugar: Coconuts are a very healthy snack, and people enjoy coconut milk, coconut water, and the actual “meat” of the coconut. Unsurprisingly, many people also enjoy using coconut sugar as a sweetener. Unlike table sugar, coconut sugar does have some nutrients and a low glycemic index, which makes it healthier than refined sugar.

  • Allulose: Available in both liquid and granulated versions, allulose is a very low-calorie natural sweetener that will not impact blood sugar levels.

  • Cocoa Powder (Unsweetened): If you enjoy a dash of chocolate in your cup of coffee, you can achieve that by adding some unsweetened cocoa powder.

  • Honey: Most people think of honey as a way to sweeten hot tea, but it can be just as enjoyable with hot and iced coffee.

  • Maple Syrup: It’s not just for pancakes and waffles! Real maple syrup can be used as a substitute for white sugar in recipes or sweetening beverages.

  • Monk Fruit: A natural, zero-calorie sweetener, monk fruit extract has become very popular for individuals looking for a low-calorie coffee sweetener.

  • Yacon Syrup: Yacon syrup is made from the roots of the yacon plant. It contains fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a type of soluble fiber, and has a sweet taste. It is lower in calories and has a low glycemic index, making it a suitable sugar substitute.

What Other Substitutes Are There for Sugar in Coffee?

What is the most popular sugar substitute for coffee on the market and should I use it? 

The most widely used sugar substitute is sucralose, often sold under the brand name Splenda.

What sugar substitute tastes most like sugar in coffee? 

Allulose gets the highest score for tasting the most like regular sugar. One downside is that it is only 60-70% as sweet as natural sugar, so you must use more to achieve the same taste.

Try our Keto Goods allulose syrup; it’s 100% plant-based, non-GMO, no additives, no aftertaste and no calories.

What are some keto (low carbohydrate) sugar substitutes? 

The six best sweeteners for a low-carb (keto) diet are:

  • stevia

  • erythritol

  • xylitol

  • sucralose

  • monk fruit

  • allulose

Which sugar substitutes are known for a bitter aftertaste? 

The sugar alternatives most known for having an aftertaste are saccharin (Sweet N Low), aspartame (Equal or Nutrasweet).

Benefits of Using Sugar Substitutes in Coffee

There are many benefits to using a sugar substitute rather than natural sugar. A spoonful of sweetener is a healthier option for anyone working toward weight loss or trying to get blood sugars under control.

Natural sweeteners also give you that sweet taste without increasing cravings for foods you try to avoid.

Is Coffee Good Without Sugar?

Ultimately, whether coffee without sugar is "good" for you depends on your taste preferences and health goals.

If you're concerned about the bitterness of black coffee, you can experiment with different coffee beans, brewing methods, and additives until you find a combination that suits your palate.

Some people come to enjoy and appreciate the natural flavors of coffee without any added sugar, while others may still prefer a touch of sweetness to balance the taste.