Sugar Zero vs Panela Sweetener: Which Better Than Sugar Is Right for Your Recipe?
Standing in front of a shelf of sugar alternatives can feel more confusing than helpful. "Natural", "zero calorie", "plant based", "unrefined" labels promise a lot, but they don't always tell you which product actually suits your kitchen.
If you have landed on the Better Than Sugar collection and are trying to decide between Better Than Sugar Zero and Better Than Sugar Panela, this guide walks through exactly what's in each one, how they behave in real recipes, and which is the better fit for baking, coffee and tea, keto diets, or simply cutting back on refined sugar.
Meet the Better Than Sugar Range
Better Than Foods currently offers two products under its Better Than Sugar range, and they are built for quite different jobs:
Better Than Sugar Zero – Erythritol & Buddha Fruit is a zero calorie sweetener made from erythritol and Buddha fruit blend.
Better Than Sugar – Organic Panela is an unrefined, organic whole cane sugar, minimally processed to retain natural minerals.
It is clear from the outset that one of these two products is a genuine zero calorie sweetener. The other is a less-refined form of sugar. Understanding that difference is the key to choosing correctly, so let's look at each in turn.
Better Than Sugar Zero: Erythritol & Monk Fruit Explained
Better Than Sugar Zero is made from just two ingredients: erythritol and monk fruit extract also known as Buddha fruit, or luo han guo. Both are naturally derived sweeteners rather than synthetic artificial sweeteners.
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that occurs in small amounts in foods like pears and grapes. Though erythritol is used commercially, it is produced by fermenting glucose. It has a glycemic index close to zero, meaning it has a negligible impact on blood sugar and insulin levels, which is why it is such a popular choice for zero sugar desserts and zero sugar drinks.
Monk fruit extract comes from the Siraitia grosvenorii fruit, native to southern China, where it has a long history of traditional use. The sweetness comes from natural plant compounds called mogrosides, which are around 150-300 times sweeter than sugar, so only a tiny amount is needed.
Nutrition information (per 100g)
| Value | Per 100g |
|---|---|
| Energy kJ/Kcal | 0/0 |
| Fat | 0g |
| Saturates | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Fibre | 0g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Salt | 0g |
As the table shows, Better Than Sugar Zero is a zero calorie sugar, zero carbohydrate product, which makes it well suited to keto and low-carb diets. It's also plant based, gluten free, and free from allergens, and less likely to contribute to tooth decay than normal sugar.
Better Than Sugar Panela: Organic Cane Sugar/Jaggery
Panela is a minimally processed sugar made by boiling down and evaporating pure sugar cane juice, without the refining and bleaching steps used to make white sugar. Better Than Sugar Panela is certified organic, GMO-free, and made from a single ingredient: unrefined whole organic cane juice.
Because it skips the refining process, panela retains some of the natural minerals present in sugar cane.
Nutrition information (per 100g)
| Value | Per 100g |
|---|---|
| Energy kJ/Kcal | 1,537/362 |
| Fat | 0g |
| Saturates | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 90.4g |
| Sugar | 90.4g |
| Fibre | 0g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Salt | 0g |
It contains almost as many carbohydrates and calories as regular table sugar, because it is sugar and just less refined with caramel-like flavour. Its advantage over white sugar isn't a lower calorie count; it's less processed, organic, and brings a richer taste along with some minerals white sugar simply doesn't have. It's a substitute for refined sugar in any recipe.
Which One Should You Choose for Your Recipe?
For keto, low-carb or calorie-conscious baking, Better Than Sugar Zero is the clear choice. Its zero carbohydrate, zero calorie sugar profile means it won't knock you out of ketosis or add to your daily calorie count, making it ideal for keto-friendly cakes, biscuits and sugar-free desserts.
For coffee, tea and everyday hot drinks, both work well here, and it comes down to taste preference. Better Than Sugar Zero gives you sweetness without any calories or carbohydrates. Panela, stirred into coffee or tea, lends a deeper flavour that you may find more satisfying.
For traditional baking and cooking where flavour matters most, Panela tends to shine in recipes where its caramel notes are part of the appeal. If you want a more natural, less-processed sweetener, Panela is a good option. It doesn't reduce calories or carbs, but it can help you move away from heavily refined white sugar. Since it is organic and unrefined, it can be a sensible swap.
If you're making zero sugar drinks or zero sugar desserts, Better Than Sugar Zero is the only one of the two that actually delivers on that promise.
Conclusion
Better Than Sugar Zero and Better Than Sugar Panela both live under the same "Better Than Sugar", but they solve different problems. Choose Better Than Sugar Zero if your goal is a zero calorie sweetener for keto baking, sugar-free desserts or cutting carbohydrates from your coffee and tea. Choose Better Than Sugar Panela if you want to move away from heavily refined white sugar in favour of an organic produced alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Better Than Sugar Zero a plant based sweetener?
Yes. Both erythritol and monk fruit extract are naturally derived, plant based ingredients.
Is Panela the same as brown sugar?
No. Brown sugar is a refined white sugar with molasses added back in, whereas panela is never highly refined in the first place.
Can I use Better Than Sugar Zero and Panela together?
Yes, you can blend a small amount of Panela into recipes for flavour depth, and top up the sweetness with Better Than Sugar Zero, giving a lower overall calorie and carbohydrate count than using Panela alone.
Which is better for people with diabetes?
Better Than Sugar Zero's minimal impact on blood glucose generally makes it the more suitable option, though anyone managing diabetes should check with their healthcare provider before making changes to their diet, since individual responses to sweeteners can vary.
Are zero sugar drinks bad for you?
It depends on the sweetener used and the quantity consumed. Used sensibly, a plant based sweetener blend like erythritol and monk fruit is a reasonable way to enjoy sweetness.