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AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/diab-honey-added-sugar

Swapping white sugar for honey in a recipe: does honey count as an added sugar?

Yes. Honey is an added sugar.

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  1. Yes, honey is an added sugar ✔
  2. No, honey is a natural sugar
  3. Only raw honey is exempt

Why: FDA counts sugars from syrups and honey as added sugars. ADA lists honey, agave and turbinado among the many names for added sugars, so the swap doesn't cut sugar.

Huh, didn't know that: On pure honey or maple syrup labels, FDA lets the added sugars grams appear in a footnote so it doesn't look like extra sugar was added.

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References

Answer: Yes, honey is an added sugar. FDA counts sugars from syrups and honey as added sugars. ADA lists honey, agave and turbinado among the many names for added sugars, so the swap doesn't cut sugar.

  1. Added Sugars on the Nutrition Facts Label (FDA) www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/added-sugars-nutrition-facts-label
    sugars from syrups and honey, and sugars from concentrated fruit or vegetable juices
    Checked 2026-10-08.
  2. Get to Know Carbs (ADA) diabetes.org/food-nutrition/understanding-carbs/get-to-know-carbs
    Dextrose, fructose, lactose, table sugar, beet sugar, honey, corn syrup, turbinado and agave are just some of the many names for added sugars.
    Checked 2026-10-08.

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