No Sugar Added vs Sugar Free

go and look for diet hot chocolate - check the calories - there is one the is 25 cals - I think it is "diet" I drink that and if I want it richer I make it and add in a protien shake - I dump on milk - do NOT make your instant hot choc with milk that adds 80ish cals and 12 grams of sugar right there PLUS whatever was in the mix

READ THE LABELS hon - it's all about being careful and trying to not make yourself sick AND not add a zillion cals in that aren't needed

I do hot choc as a TREAT -not a daily thing - daily the only thing I drink with cals is my shakes - and even those I keep under 120 - 200 if I am having a "treat" and add frozen fruit

just gotta watch the numbers

 Good question, Phyllis ..  I think the F.D.A. has their own definitions which provide what food advertisers can claim about their products in that regard, and when ..  Hopefully someone can find and post the def. for those types of foods here .. 

 And yes, we have to beware of "no sugar added" foods in particular, as they can still contain a LOT of sugar (and carbs) "on their own".   A good example are "no sugar added" ice creams, I've found .. 

 It has always intrigued me how the cos. can claim some products of theirs are "sugar free", when it seems like the food by it's very nature would have to contain at least natural sugars (e.g. fructose, maltose, etc.) ..  A good example are "sugar free" fruit preserves, jams and "natural" fruit drinks.   How can that be?   Do they have some way to actually remove the sugar out of them?