Cane Sugar

How to Buy the Best Sugar and Sugar Substitutes: Buying Guide

What is sugar?

According to an industry association, sugar is “the simple carbohydrate we know and love that is produced naturally in all plants, including fruits, vegetables and even nuts.” The chemical name for sugar is sucrose. There are also simple sugars called monosaccharides, which include glucose, fructose and galactose.

What is a sugar substitute?

A sugar substitute is a sweet-tasting substance, either chemical or plant-based, that can be used in place of regular sugar. Although sugar substitutes can be chemical-based, these are usually referred to as artificial sweeteners instead.

Is sugar healthy?

Although many health blogs will tell you that sugar is not healthy, sugar naturally occurs in all plants. However, some studies have shown that large amounts of sugar can cause health problems including type 2 diabetes, weight gain, heart disease, tooth decay and more. High amounts of sugary foods and treats, high-fructose corn syrup and soft drinks can increase risk factors.

Because of these health risks associated with sugar intake, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its food label requirements in 2016 to include dietary guidelines for added sugars.

What are healthy sugar substitutes?

There are many sugar substitutes out there, and there is a lot of controversy surrounding artificial sweeteners due to their chemical components. The health community is unsure of the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners. The general sentiment is that healthy sugar substitutes include naturally occuring options like agave nectar, coconut sugar, honey, stevia extracts and more.

Where can I buy sugar and sugar substitutes?

At Sam’s Club, you can get all the sugar and sugar substitutes you need at exclusive members-only prices. We have a variety of options to suit your needs.

What Different Types of Sugar and Sugar Substitutes Are There?

There are many different types of sugar and sugar substitutes. Sam’s Club sells a wide range of sugar and sugar substitutes.

Sugar

We carry your classic table sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar, powdered sugar, refined sugar and more. At Sam’s Club, you can find brands including Members Mark, White Crystal, Sugar in the Raw and Domino.

Sugar Substitutes

Natural sugar substitutes are usually plant-based and include:

• Agave
• Coconut sugar
• Fruit sweeteners, fruit extracts
• Honey
• Maple syrup
• Molasses
• Stevia
• Xylitol (sugar alcohol)

Artificial Sweetener

Artificial sweeteners are synthetic sugar substitutes. These include low-calorie sweeteners, sugar-free sweeteners and diabetic-safe sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners include:

• Acesulfame Potassium - Sunett, Sweet One
• Aspartame - Nutrasweet, Equal
• Saccharin - Sweet 'N Low, Sweet Twin, Sugar Twin
• Sucralose - Splenda
• Stevia/Rebaudioside - A Sweet Leaf, Sun Crystals, Steviva, Truvia, PureVia

What Sizes of Sugar and Sugar Substitutes Can I Choose?

Sam’s Club carries sugar and sugar substitutes in a wide range of sizes. We carry packages of individual servings, household-sized bags of sugar up to 10 lbs., and bulk sugar. You’ll be able to get the amount of sugar or sugar substitutes as you need.

What to Consider When Buying Sugar and Sugar Substitutes

What type of sugar do you need?

First, think about what type of sugar you need. To answer this question, you need to determine what you’re using the sugar for. If you’re baking, you may choose a different sugar than if you’re just looking for table sugar to keep around the house.

Do you need a sugar substitute?

If you’re trying to avoid added sugar or have a health condition like diabetes, you may want to consider a sugar substitute instead of sugar. Sam’s Club sells such a wide variety of sugar substitutes so you’ll be able to find one to your liking.

How much sugar do you need?

Determine how much sugar you actually need. At Sam’s Club, you can get large 10 lb. bags of sugar or boxes of 2,000-count packets of sugar substitutes.

How much do you want to spend on sugar?

Whether you’re buying a lot of sugar or just enough for your pantry, Sam’s Club offers the best members-only prices on sugar and sugar substitutes.

What Brands of Sugar and Sugar Substitutes Does Sam's Club Sell?

Sam’s Club sells a wide variety of sugar and sugar substitute brands. You can find members-only prices on the top brand names including:

• Health Garden
• Crystal Sugar
• C&H
• N'Joy
• Splenda
• Whole Earth
• Sugar In The Raw
• Member's Mark
• Equal
• Domino
• Sweet N’ Low

FAQ: Sugar and Sugar Substitutes

How many calories are in sugar?

2.3 grams of sugar (1 serving, 1 cube) contains 9 calories.

How many calories are in sugar substitutes?

The amount of calories in sugar substitutes depends on the actual substitute itself. Generally, sugar substitutes will contain less calories than regular sugar. Some artificial sweeteners contain no calories.

What sugar substitute is safe for diabetics?

For diabetics and other people who need to monitor their blood sugar levels, there are several sugar substitutes that don’t affect blood sugar. The United States FDA recommends that diabetics use natural sweeteners from the stevia plant and monk fruit or artificial sweeteners generally recognized as safe:

• Sunett
• Sweet One
• Equal
• NutraSweet
• Sweet ‘N Low
• Splenda

Does sugar go bad?

Technically, sugar does not expire. However, it’s best to use granulated sugar within 2 years of opening.

How should sugar be stored?

For best results, sugar should be kept in an air-tight storage container in a moderate, dry location. Do not store sugar in the refrigerator as it will collect moisture. Avoid storing near heat because it can melt. It’s important to keep sugar properly to avoid an infestation of bugs.

Can you eat sugar on keto?

Since a ketogenic diet limits carbohydrate intake, sugar is not recommended. However, sugar substitutes like stevia are OK to eat on a keto diet.

Do vegans eat sugar?

This is another topic that many people debate. Most of the time, sugar can be considered vegan. But sugar is not vegan if the process to refine it includes animal parts.