From gingerbread houses to frosted sugar cookies, sweets are everywhere you turn with the holiday season in full swing. If you have a big sweet tooth, you may be looking at healthier options, like sugar-free cookies or low-carb treats. But the truth is that they might not be better for you after all.
Many Americans were worried about their sugar consumption this year and considered alternatives. The International Food Information Council’s 2025 Food & Health survey found that 75 percent of Americans were trying to reduce or avoid having sugar this year, with 22 percent opting for a “sugar-free” option when available. In addition, the global sugar-free confectionery market is estimated to grow from $42.5 billion in 2023 to $84.3 billion by 2032, according to Dataintelo, a market research and consulting firm.
