While honey has some great health benefits, it’s not a good choice for people on keto or low carb diets because it has a lot of net carbs per tablespoon. Luckily, there are plenty of low-carb honey substitutes that you can use instead. Most of these substitutes have zero net carbs and are perfect for those on a keto diet.
One tablespoon of honey contains about 64 calories. It has no fat and no protein, but it does have 17 net grams of carbs, all from sugar. So you can see why it’s not an approved food for a keto diet.
What is Honey and Why Isn’t It Keto Friendly?
Raw honey is an unfiltered, natural sweetener made by bees from the nectar of flowers. Unfortunately most honey you see today is not raw honey. Raw honey is different from processed honey because it has not been filtered. Processed honey is stripped of most of its health benefits.
Raw honey is quite healthy and has its place in a healthy diet, however it is high in sugar and carbs, which is why it is not low carb or keto friendly.
» You might be interested in What is Carbalose Flour and How to Use It and 10 Best Almond Butter Substitutes for Baking & Nut Allergies.
Honey Substitutes for a Low-Carb Alternative
There are two different types of substitutes you might be looking for when it comes to honey. There are many sugar substitutes that can be used in place of honey, and there are a few sugar-free honey syrups that do an even better job of mimicing actual honey when consistency is important.
5 Honey Substitutes That Mimic Honey (Pourable)
Natural Honey Flavored Allulose Syrup
Made with all-natural honey flavor, this allulose syrup is what I consider to be the best honey alternative becasue it has a really authentic honey taste. Allulose is a rare sugar that occurs naturally in raisins, figs, and other foods. It has virtually no calories, glycemic index of zero, meaning no impact to blood glucose and tastes similar to sugar. Simply subtract grams of allulose from total carbs to get net carbs.
Sweet Nature Birch Xylitol Sugar Free Honey
The main ingredient in Sweet Nature’s alternative honey sweetener is xylitol. Harvested from birch trees in the USA, Health Garden’s xylitol is all-natural and gluten-free. With a low glycemic index, xylitol honey sweetener won’t spike blood sugar or insulin and can aid in weight loss as part of a healthy diet. 1 teaspoon xylitol honey = 1 teaspoon honey. Just be aware that xylitol does have a small impact on blood sugar, while others like allulose don’t.
Lakanto Sugar Free Maple Syrup
This keto sugar-free syrup has just 1 net carb and lower calories than traditional maple syrup. It’s all natural, low glycemic, and gluten free. If you’re looking for a sugar free syrup that can be used in the same way as honey, this is a perfect solution. It’s great on coconut flour pancakes, chaffles, and even as a replacement for simple syrup in cocktails.
Organic Harmless Hunny by Pyure
Pyure Harmless Hunny offers the same honey flavor and consistency as real honey with far fewer calories and carbohydrates. Pyure is sugar-free and has a low glycemic index, making it perfect for keto, carb conscious and sugar sensitive lifestyles.
It has just 4 net grams of carbs per serving. Drizzle on fresh fruit, stir into tea and coffees or spread on keto English muffins.
7 Dry Substitutes for Honey
Monk Fruit Sweetener
Monk fruit extract is a natural sweetener that is derived from monk fruit. It is calorie-free and has zero net carbs. You can use monk fruit extract to sweeten drinks, yogurt, and baked goods. It makes a great substitute for honey.
Stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener that is derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It is calorie-free and has no net carbs. It is calorie free and has a zero glycemic index. Stevia is about 200-300 times sweeter than sugar, so you only need a small amount to achieve the same level of sweetness. You can use stevia to sweeten drinks, yogurt, and baked goods.
Erythritol
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is found in plants. It has a glycemic index of zero and does not affect blood sugar levels. It is also calorie free and has a slightly sweet taste. Erythritol can be used as a 1:1 substitution for honey.
Xylitol
Xylitol can be used as a honey substitute because of its approximation to regular sugar. It is a sugar alcohol that is found in plants. It has a glycemic index of seven and does not affect blood sugar levels. Xylitol is also calorie free and has a slightly sweet taste. You can use xylitol to sweeten drinks, yogurt, and baked goods.
Coconut sugar
Coconut sugar is made from the sap of coconut flowers. It is a natural sweetener that is low in glycemic index and has a nutrient-rich profile. Coconut sugar is about 70% sucrose, so it can be used as a 1:1 substitution for honey.
Swerve
Stevia is a natural sweetener that comes from the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It is low in carbs and calories, and is a great substitute for honey. If you like stevia you will find that it can act as a sugar substitute in just about any recipe.
Allulose
I use allulose as a sugar substitute. The reason I use allulose is because it’s a no calorie no carb sweetener like erythritol, but it doesn’t have the cooling effect. I get allulose directly through Wholesome Yum. I think you’ll really like it, especially if you also don’t like the cooling effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a healthy substitute for honey?
There are many healthy substitutes for honey, but two that I like most are Agave nectar and Stevia. Agave nectar is a natural sweetener that is derived from the agave plant. It has a similar taste to honey and can be used in a variety of recipes. Stevia is a natural sweetener that is derived from the leaves of the stevia plant. It is much sweeter than honey, so you’ll need to use less of it in your recipes.
What tastes most like honey?
Some of the honey substitutes on the market today are the ones that taste the most like honey. For instance, this natural honey-flavored allulose syrup is very similar to honey. See the top of our list for other similar options.
What is the best vegan substitute for honey?
Most of the honey substitutes on the market today are vegan, like this Bee Free Honey. It’s plant-based and organic, made from apples, and it’s great on anything you’d usually put honey on.
Conclusion
Honey adds a lot of flavor and sweetness to foods, but you don’t have to give up that sweetness on a low-carb diet if you use one of the honey substitutes we laid out above. These are all useful alternatives to honey that can help you stick with your diet longer.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Laura is dedicated to a low-carb lifestyle after losing 52 pounds on the keto diet. As many of us do, she struggles with her weight and has found that one of the only diet lifestyles that allows her to maintain a healthy weight is a low-carb diet. She shares her favorite low-carb recipes here that are both easy to make and full of flavor, so you don’t even miss the carbs.
list of honey substitutes for those of us on a low carb diet
I’ve been looking for healthier alternatives to satisfy my sweet tooth, and these options are a game-changer
Being on a low carb diet can be challenging when it comes to satisfying cravings, but these alternatives are both delicious and guilt-free
Glad the information helped you Jacob.
I can’t wait to try them out in my favorite recipes!
This blog post is a lifesaver for anyone looking to reduce their carb intake while still enjoying the sweetness of honey.
Happy to hear that the information helped you. Thanks for letting us know.
I see you mentioned using stevia and erythritol as honey alternatives, but what would be the recommended ratio to replace honey in a recipe?
Erythritol can be used as a 1:1 substitution for honey. Stevia on the other hand is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar so it will take some experimentation to find what works for you.