Sugar-Free Protein Guide
18 items classified under standard Sugar-Free guidelines.
How do protein fare on the Sugar-Free diet? The answer depends on added sugar content. This guide breaks down all 18 items in this category with their classification, nutritional data, and the reasoning behind each status.
Protein are overwhelmingly compatible with Sugar-Free. Each item listed here is naturally free of added sugar. The entries below break down the specific nutritional profile so you can choose based on your individual targets — calories, macros, or micronutrients that matter for your goals.
Quick Reference
| Food | Status | Sugar (per 100g) |
|---|---|---|
| Black Beans | Allowed | — |
| Chickpea Flour | Allowed | — |
| Collagen Peptides | Allowed | 0g |
| Edamame | Allowed | — |
| Eggs | Allowed | — |
| Gelatin | Allowed | — |
| Greek Yogurt | Allowed | — |
| Kidney Beans | Allowed | — |
| Lentil Pasta | Allowed | — |
| Pea Protein | Allowed | — |
| Protein Powder | Allowed | — |
| Soy Protein | Allowed | — |
| Tempeh | Allowed | — |
| Tofu | Allowed | — |
| Veggie Burger | Allowed | — |
| Whey Protein | Allowed | — |
| Protein Bars | Limited | — |
| Protein Shakes | Limited | — |
Classification Breakdown
16 Allowed — These protein are naturally free of added sugar. 2 Limited — These items have often sold in both unsweetened and sweetened versions.
Sugar names to watch: cane juice, fruit juice concentrate, brown rice syrup, agave, anything ending in "-ose."
Allowed Protein (16)
Black Beans
AllowedBlack Beans is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sugar | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | 341kcal | 21.6g | 1.4g | 62.4g | — | 15.5g |
| Cooked (boiled) | 132kcal | 8.9g | 0.5g | 23.7g | — | 8.7g |
| Canned | 91kcal | 4.8g | 1.3g | 15.4g | — | 6.8g |
Chickpea Flour
AllowedChickpea Flour is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Collagen Peptides
AllowedCollagen Peptides is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free, with 0g sugar per 100g. This means it is naturally free of added sugar. It also contains 90g protein and 300mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Edamame
AllowedEdamame is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Eggs
AllowedEggs is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sugar | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Egg (raw) | 143kcal | 12.6g | 9.5g | 0.7g | — | 0g |
| Egg White (raw) | 52kcal | 10.9g | 0.2g | 0.7g | — | 0g |
| Egg Yolk (raw) | 322kcal | 15.9g | 26.5g | 3.6g | — | 0g |
Gelatin
AllowedGelatin is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Greek Yogurt
AllowedGreek Yogurt is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sugar | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain (whole milk) | 97kcal | 9g | 5g | 4g | 3.6g | 0g |
| Plain (nonfat) | 61kcal | 10.3g | 0.4g | 3.6g | 3.3g | — |
Kidney Beans
AllowedKidney Beans is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sugar | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | 337kcal | 22.5g | 1.1g | 61.3g | — | 15.2g |
| Cooked (boiled) | 127kcal | 8.7g | 0.5g | 22.8g | — | 7.4g |
Lentil Pasta
AllowedLentil Pasta is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Pea Protein
AllowedPea Protein is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Protein Powder
AllowedProtein Powder is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Soy Protein
AllowedSoy Protein is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Tempeh
AllowedTempeh is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sugar | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain | 192kcal | 20.3g | 10.8g | 7.6g | — | — |
| Cooked | 195kcal | 19.9g | 11.4g | 7.6g | — | — |
Tofu
AllowedTofu is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sugar | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firm | 144kcal | 17.3g | 8.7g | 2.8g | — | 2.3g |
| Soft/Silken | 270kcal | 18.8g | 20.2g | 8.9g | — | 3.9g |
Veggie Burger
AllowedVeggie Burger is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Whey Protein
AllowedWhey Protein is classified as Allowed on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is naturally free of added sugar.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Limited Protein (2)
Protein Bars
LimitedProtein Bars is classified as Limited on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is often sold in both unsweetened and sweetened versions. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Protein Shakes
LimitedProtein Shakes is classified as Limited on Sugar-Free. This classification reflects that it is often sold in both unsweetened and sweetened versions. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central