Sugar substitute, liquid, NFS
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a generic term for a wide array of non-sugar sweeteners in liquid form, from common table syrup to concentrated stevia drops. Its taste profile is intensely sweet, often with a distinct chemical or metallic aftertaste, and its texture is typically thin and syrupy. Nutritionally, it provides a burst of sweetness with minimal calories and negligible sugar, making it a tool for calorie reduction.
Calorie split: 6% protein · 94% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its ability to deliver a powerful sweet punch without the calories or carbs of sugar, making it a staple for low-carb and diabetic-friendly diets. Its versatility in sweetening coffee, tea, and homemade desserts without adding volume is a key advantage.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The most common complaint is the lingering aftertaste, which some find bitter or metallic, and certain types can cause digestive upset like bloating in sensitive individuals. To counteract aftertaste, try blending it with a small amount of real sugar or a pinch of salt. For digestive issues, start with a very small dose and gradually increase tolerance.
Key benefits
- Provides intense sweetness with very few calories
- Contains no sugar or fat
- Helps reduce overall added sugar intake in recipes
- Offers a convenient liquid form for easy mixing into drinks
- Many varieties have a low glycemic index
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The term 'NFS' in the database entry stands for 'Not Further Specified,' meaning this is a catch-all category for hundreds of different products, from high-fructose corn syrup to monk fruit extract.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 87.0 g |
| Energy | 51.0 kcal |
| Protein | 0.80 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 12.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.70 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.01 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 0.00 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 0.00 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 0.00 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 210 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.00 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.50 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Beverages, coffee substitute, cereal grain beverage, powder, prepared with whole milk — USDA does not publish this profile for Sugar substitute.
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.15 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.20 g |
| Leucine | 0.32 g |
| Lysine | 0.26 g |
| Methionine | 0.08 g |
| Cystine | 0.03 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.16 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.16 g |
| Valine | 0.22 g |
| Arginine | 0.12 g |
| Histidine | 0.09 g |
| Alanine | 0.12 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.25 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.69 g |
| Glycine | 0.07 g |
| Proline | 0.32 g |
| Serine | 0.18 g |
FAQ
Is liquid sugar substitute the same as liquid sweetener?
Yes, the terms are often used interchangeably. 'Sugar substitute' is a broader category that includes both artificial sweeteners (like sucralose) and natural zero-calorie options (like stevia or monk fruit), while 'liquid sweetener' can also include sugar-based syrups.
Can I use it in baking like regular sugar?
It depends on the specific product. While it can provide sweetness, it lacks the bulk, moisture, and browning properties of sugar. Most baking recipes require adjustments, often using a blend with bulking agents like erythritol or adding ingredients like applesauce to compensate for texture.
Why does some of it taste bitter?
The bitter or metallic aftertaste is common with high-intensity sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, or stevia. This is due to how they interact with taste receptors. Blending different sweeteners or adding a tiny amount of salt can often mask this note.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.51 kcal/g · 6% calories from protein · 0.7 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.