Vegetarian Sweeteners Guide
27 items classified under standard Vegetarian guidelines.
How do sweeteners fare on the Vegetarian diet? The answer depends on whether the food is the flesh of an animal. This guide breaks down all 27 items in this category with their classification, nutritional data, and the reasoning behind each status.
Good news for Vegetarian followers: all sweeteners fit the diet. These foods are either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). The nutrition details below help you compare within the category to find the best options for your specific needs.
Quick Reference
| Food | Status | Calories (per 100g) |
|---|---|---|
| Agave Nectar | Allowed | 68kcal |
| Allulose | Allowed | 20kcal |
| Artificial Sweeteners | Allowed | 407kcal |
| Aspartame | Allowed | 365kcal |
| Brown Sugar | Allowed | 373kcal |
| Cane Sugar | Allowed | 269kcal |
| Coconut Nectar | Allowed | 60kcal |
| Coconut Sugar | Allowed | 895kcal |
| Corn Syrup | Allowed | 283kcal |
| Dark Chocolate | Allowed | 550kcal |
| Date Syrup | Allowed | 282kcal |
| Erythritol | Allowed | 0kcal |
| Fruit Snacks | Allowed | 352kcal |
| Gummy Candy | Allowed | 396kcal |
| High Fructose Corn Syrup | Allowed | 62kcal |
| Honey | Allowed | 304kcal |
| Maple Sugar | Allowed | 354kcal |
| Maple Syrup | Allowed | 270kcal |
| Milk Chocolate | Allowed | 150kcal |
| Molasses | Allowed | 290kcal |
| Monk Fruit Sweetener | Allowed | 105kcal |
| Powdered Sugar | Allowed | 431kcal |
| Raw Honey | Allowed | 69kcal |
| Stevia | Allowed | 0kcal |
| Sucralose | Allowed | 48kcal |
| Sugar | Allowed | 399kcal |
| Xylitol | Allowed | 240kcal |
Classification Breakdown
27 Allowed — These sweeteners are either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey).
Lacto-ovo vegetarian includes dairy and eggs. Hidden traps: animal rennet in cheese, anchovies in Worcestershire, lard in baked goods.
Allowed Sweeteners (27)
Agave Nectar
AllowedWith 68kcal calories per 100g, Agave Nectar earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). It also contains 6.6g fiber, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between High Fructose Corn Syrup and Raw Honey for calories, ranking 7 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Allulose
AllowedAllulose is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 20kcal calories per 100g. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Among the 27 items in this category, allulose sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Sucralose at 48kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Artificial Sweeteners
AllowedAt 407kcal calories per 100g, Artificial Sweeteners falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 8.7g fat and 760mg sodium per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Sugar at 399kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Aspartame
AllowedWith 365kcal calories per 100g, Aspartame earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Within this category, it falls between Maple Sugar and Brown Sugar for calories, ranking 20 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Brown Sugar
AllowedAt 373kcal calories per 100g, Brown Sugar falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, brown sugar also provides 9.2g protein and 6.3g fiber per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Aspartame at 365kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Cane Sugar
AllowedWith 269kcal calories per 100g, Cane Sugar earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Within this category, it falls between Xylitol and Maple Syrup for calories, ranking 12 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Coconut Nectar
AllowedAt 60kcal calories per 100g, Coconut Nectar falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Among the 27 items in this category, coconut nectar sits at the low end for calories — next closest is High Fructose Corn Syrup at 62kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Coconut Sugar
AllowedCoconut Sugar is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 895kcal calories per 100g. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). It also contains 99.1g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Dark Chocolate at 550kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Corn Syrup
AllowedAt 283kcal calories per 100g, Corn Syrup falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Within this category, it falls between Date Syrup and Molasses for calories, ranking 15 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Dark Chocolate
AllowedDark Chocolate is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 550kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 5.1g protein and 32.2g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Powdered Sugar at 431kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70-85% Cacao | 598kcal | 7.8g | 42.6g | 45.9g | 10.9g |
| 60-69% Cacao | 579kcal | 6.1g | 38.3g | 52.4g | 8g |
| 45-59% Cacao | 546kcal | 4.9g | 31.3g | 61.2g | 7g |
Date Syrup
AllowedWith 282kcal calories per 100g, Date Syrup earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, date syrup also provides 8g fiber per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Maple Syrup and Corn Syrup for calories, ranking 14 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Erythritol
AllowedErythritol is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 0kcal calories per 100g. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Among the 27 items in this category, erythritol sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Stevia at 0kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Fruit Snacks
AllowedAt 352kcal calories per 100g, Fruit Snacks falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Within this category, it falls between Honey and Maple Sugar for calories, ranking 18 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Gummy Candy
AllowedAt 396kcal calories per 100g, Gummy Candy falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Brown Sugar at 373kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
High Fructose Corn Syrup
AllowedAt 62kcal calories per 100g, High Fructose Corn Syrup falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Among the 27 items in this category, high fructose corn syrup sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Agave Nectar at 68kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Honey
AllowedHoney is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 304kcal calories per 100g. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Within this category, it falls between Molasses and Fruit Snacks for calories, ranking 17 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Maple Sugar
AllowedWith 354kcal calories per 100g, Maple Sugar earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Within this category, it falls between Fruit Snacks and Aspartame for calories, ranking 19 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Maple Syrup
AllowedMaple Syrup is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 270kcal calories per 100g. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Within this category, it falls between Cane Sugar and Date Syrup for calories, ranking 13 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Milk Chocolate
AllowedAt 150kcal calories per 100g, Milk Chocolate falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, milk chocolate also provides 6.7g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Monk Fruit Sweetener and Xylitol for calories, ranking 10 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Molasses
AllowedAt 290kcal calories per 100g, Molasses falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Within this category, it falls between Corn Syrup and Honey for calories, ranking 16 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Monk Fruit Sweetener
AllowedAt 105kcal calories per 100g, Monk Fruit Sweetener falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Within this category, it falls between Raw Honey and Milk Chocolate for calories, ranking 9 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Powdered Sugar
AllowedAt 431kcal calories per 100g, Powdered Sugar falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, powdered sugar also provides 23g fat and 440mg sodium per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Artificial Sweeteners at 407kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Raw Honey
AllowedAt 69kcal calories per 100g, Raw Honey falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 5.3g fiber per serving. Within this category, it falls between Agave Nectar and Monk Fruit Sweetener for calories, ranking 8 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Stevia
AllowedAt 0kcal calories per 100g, Stevia falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Among the 27 items in this category, stevia sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Allulose at 20kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Sucralose
AllowedAt 48kcal calories per 100g, Sucralose falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Among the 27 items in this category, sucralose sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Coconut Nectar at 60kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Sugar
AllowedSugar is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 399kcal calories per 100g. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Gummy Candy at 396kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Xylitol
AllowedAt 240kcal calories per 100g, Xylitol falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Within this category, it falls between Milk Chocolate and Cane Sugar for calories, ranking 11 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central