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No Added Sugar Spreads Showdown:
Peanut Butter, Hazelnut and More
A complete, verified guide to the peanut butter, hazelnut and other no added sugar spreads in the Diablo range
Which Sugar-Free Spread Is Right for You?
Diablo offers five No Added Sugar (NAS) spreads covering peanut butter, hazelnut chocolate, duo hazelnut and white chocolate, and white spread. Here is what you need to know at a glance:
- +Peanut Butter (Crunchy and Smooth): 28g protein and 7g fibre per 100g. No added sugar; the sugars that appear on the panel occur naturally in the peanuts.
- +Hazelnut and Chocolate Spread: 1.3g naturally occurring sugar per 15g serving. Rich hazelnut and chocolate flavour, made with sweeteners instead of sugar.
- +Duo Hazelnut and White Choco Spread: 1.2g naturally occurring sugar per 15g serving. Two-tone visual appeal. Ideal for gifting and special occasions.
- +White Spread: 1.2g naturally occurring sugar per 15g serving. Lighter flavour profile. Versatile in baking and as a topping.
- +NAS vs SF explained: All five Diablo spreads carry the No Added Sugar (NAS) claim. Small amounts of naturally occurring sugar from peanuts or hazelnuts are present, but no sugar has been added during manufacturing.
- +Polyol note: The hazelnut-based spreads use maltitol. Polyols are absorbed slowly, which is the point; packs over 10 percent polyols note that excessive consumption may produce laxative effects. Enjoy a spoonful or two at a time and your gut adjusts.
Walk into any supermarket and the spread aisle looks very different from how it did five years ago. Alongside the conventional jars of sugary hazelnut spread and standard peanut butter, you will now find a growing range of no-added-sugar and sugar-free alternatives aimed at people who want to enjoy their favourite spreads without the accompanying sugar load.
But the labelling in this category is genuinely confusing. "No Added Sugar," "Sugar Free," "Low GI," "made with sweeteners" and "polyol" are all terms that appear on labels without much explanation. And not every product that carries a low-sugar claim behaves the same way nutritionally.
This guide gives you the complete picture. We cover what the label claims actually mean under UK and EU law, provide full COA-verified nutritional data for every Diablo NAS spread, compare them head to head, and give you practical guidance on how to use them. If you are looking for a no added sugar peanut butter or a hazelnut spread made with sweeteners instead of sugar, the answer is here.
All content in this article complies with UK and EU food marketing regulations including Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, EU Regulation No 609/2013, and the UK Food Information Regulations 2014. Nutritional figures are sourced from verified Certificate of Analysis (COA) documents. This content is not intended as medical or dietary advice. Consult your healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalised guidance.
1. What Do "No Added Sugar" and "Sugar Free" Actually Mean?
Before comparing products, it is worth understanding what the label is legally required to tell you. Under UK and EU food law, the claims "No Added Sugar" and "Sugar Free" have precise, enforceable definitions. They are not the same thing.
| Label Claim | Legal Meaning (UK/EU) | Can Natural Sugars Be Present? | Diablo Spread Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Added Sugar (NAS) | No sugar or sweetening ingredient added during manufacturing | Yes, naturally occurring sugars from peanuts or hazelnuts may be present | All five Diablo spreads carry the NAS claim |
| Sugar Free (SF) | Total sugars in the finished product are 0.5g or less per 100g | Only up to 0.5g per 100g total | Not applicable to the Diablo spread range |
| Made with sweeteners | Sugar has been replaced by approved sweeteners such as polyols | Yes, per the NAS threshold | Applies to all three hazelnut-based Diablo spreads |
| Low Sugar | Total sugars are 5g or less per 100g | Yes | Not used in the Diablo spread range |
The practical implication is straightforward. All five Diablo spreads are No Added Sugar products, meaning no sugar has been added during manufacture. The small amounts of sugar shown on the nutrition panel come from naturally occurring sugars in the ingredient themselves: peanuts in the peanut butter products, and hazelnuts in the hazelnut-based spreads.
The three hazelnut-based Diablo spreads (Hazelnut and Chocolate, Duo, and White Spread) use maltitol as a sweetener. Maltitol is a polyol, a type of sugar alcohol, and polyols are absorbed slowly, which is the point. EU and UK law requires the following statement on products where polyols exceed 10% of total content: "Excessive consumption may produce laxative effects." That is a mandatory labelling line, not a comment on the product. Enjoy a spoonful or two at a time and your gut adjusts.
2. The Diablo NAS Spread Range: Full Nutritional Data
Below is the complete nutritional data for all five Diablo No Added Sugar spreads, drawn from verified Certificate of Analysis (COA) documents. Two important formatting notes apply before you read the data:
- The peanut butter products (SPD-350-CPB and SPD-350-SPB) are shown per 100g, which is the basis held in the verified data for these two products.
- The hazelnut-based spreads (SPD-350-HZL, SPD-350-DUO, SPD-350-WHT) use a standard EU-format COA with both per 100g and per 15g serving data.
Diablo NAS Peanut Butter Crunchy 350g (SPD-350-CPB-P12)
The crunchy peanut butter for those who want texture alongside clean, honest flavour. Ingredient list: roasted peanuts 100%. No added sugar. No additional oils. No sweeteners beyond the peanuts themselves.
Contains: Peanuts. May contain: None declared. This product is one of the cleanest-label options in the entire Diablo range, with a single ingredient and no cross-contamination warnings.
| Nutrient | Per 100g |
|---|---|
| Energy | 2585 kJ / 618 kcal |
| Fat | 50g |
| of which saturates | 5.8g |
| Carbohydrates | 14g |
| of which sugars | 5.5g (the sugars occur naturally) |
| Dietary Fibre | 7g |
| Protein | 28g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 0mg |
Diablo NAS Peanut Butter Smooth 350g (SPD-350-SPB-P12)
The smooth variant delivers identical nutrition to the crunchy version in a silky, spreadable texture. Ingredient list: roasted peanuts 100%. Ideal for blending into smoothies, using in baking, or spreading on toast where a clean finish is preferred.
Contains: Peanuts. May contain: None declared.
| Nutrient | Per 100g |
|---|---|
| Energy | 2585 kJ / 618 kcal |
| Fat | 50g |
| of which saturates | 5.8g |
| Carbohydrates | 14g |
| of which sugars | 5.5g (the sugars occur naturally) |
| Dietary Fibre | 7g |
| Protein | 28g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 0mg |
Diablo NAS Hazelnut and Chocolate Spread 350g (SPD-350-HZL-P12)
The hazelnut chocolate experience, made with sweeteners instead of sugar. With 13% hazelnuts and 7% fat-reduced cocoa, this spread delivers rich, recognisable flavour in a 15g serving that contains just 1.3g of naturally occurring sugar. A treat for those watching their sugar intake.
Ingredients: Sweetener (maltitol), vegetable oils (rapeseed, palm), hazelnuts 13%, fat-reduced cocoa 7%, skimmed milk powder 7%, whey powder (milk), emulsifier (lecithins), flavouring.
Contains: Milk, Nuts (Hazelnut). May contain: Gluten, Peanuts, Nuts.
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Per Serving (15g) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 2045 kJ / 494 kcal | 307 kJ / 74 kcal |
| Fat | 36g | 5.4g |
| of which saturates | 7.6g | 1.1g |
| Carbohydrates | 50g | 7.5g |
| of which sugars | 8.6g (naturally occurring) | 1.3g (naturally occurring) |
| of which polyols | 40g | not available per serving |
| Fibre | 2.6g | 0.4g |
| Protein | 6.3g | 0.9g |
| Salt | 0.21g | 0.03g |
Diablo NAS Duo Hazelnut and White Choco Spread 350g (SPD-350-DUO-P6)
The two-tone spread in the Diablo range: hazelnut chocolate on one side, white chocolate on the other in a single jar. Made with sweeteners instead of sugar. The 15g serving contains just 1.2g of naturally occurring sugar, and the visual presentation makes it a natural choice for gifting and special occasions.
Ingredients: Sweetener (maltitol), vegetable oils (rapeseed, palm), skimmed milk powder 7%, hazelnuts 6.5%, whey powder (milk) 6%, fat-reduced cocoa 3.5%, emulsifier (lecithins), flavouring.
Contains: Milk, Nuts (Hazelnut). May contain: Gluten, Peanuts, Nuts.
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Per Serving (15g) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 2032 kJ / 491 kcal | 305 kJ / 74 kcal |
| Fat | 36g | 5.4g |
| of which saturates | 7.3g | 1.1g |
| Carbohydrates | 54g | 8.1g |
| of which sugars | 8.3g (naturally occurring) | 1.2g (naturally occurring) |
| of which polyols | 45.3g | not available per serving |
| Fibre | 1.3g | 0.2g |
| Protein | 4.6g | 0.7g |
| Salt | 0.21g | 0.03g |
Diablo NAS White Spread 350g (SPD-350-WHT-P6)
The lightest flavour in the range: a creamy white spread made with sweeteners instead of sugar. With 1.2g naturally occurring sugar per 15g serving and a mild, sweet profile, it works as a versatile topping and baking ingredient for those who prefer white chocolate notes over darker cocoa.
Ingredients: Sweetener (maltitol), vegetable oils (rapeseed, palm), skimmed milk powder 7%, whey powder (milk) 6%, emulsifier (lecithins), flavouring.
Contains: Milk. May contain: Gluten, Nuts.
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Per Serving (15g) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 2018 kJ / 488 kcal | 303 kJ / 73 kcal |
| Fat | 36g | 5.4g |
| of which saturates | 7.1g | 1.1g |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 8.9g |
| of which sugars | 8g (naturally occurring) | 1.2g (naturally occurring) |
| of which polyols | 50.7g | not available per serving |
| Fibre | 0g | 0g |
| Protein | 2.9g | 0.4g |
| Salt | 0.21g | 0.03g |
3. All Five Diablo Spreads Compared Side by Side
Use this table to identify which Diablo spread matches your priorities, whether that is protein content, calories per serving, sugar per serving, or flavour profile.
| Product | Basis | kcal | Protein | Sugar | Fibre | Allergens (Contains) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAS Peanut Butter Crunchy | 100g | 618 | 28g | 5.5g | 7g | Peanuts | Protein and fibre |
| NAS Peanut Butter Smooth | 100g | 618 | 28g | 5.5g | 7g | Peanuts | Baking + Smoothies |
| NAS Hazelnut & Chocolate Spread | 100g | 494 | 6.3g | 8.6g | 2.6g | Milk, Hazelnut | Chocolate hazelnut flavour |
| NAS Duo Hazelnut & White Choco | 100g | 491 | 4.6g | 8.3g | 1.3g | Milk, Hazelnut | Gifting + Visual Appeal |
| NAS White Spread | 100g | 488 | 2.9g | 8g | 0g | Milk | Lighter Flavour + Baking |
All nutritional figures sourced from verified COA (Certificate of Analysis) documents. Sugar figures represent naturally occurring sugars only. No added sugar in any product.
Diablo states a 15g portion (roughly one tablespoon) for the spreads. Portion conventions differ between brands, which is why the tables above use per 100g figures: that is the basis every label in the UK and EU must carry, and the only like for like way to compare two jars. Scale the figures to the portion you actually use.
Shop Diablo Peanut Butter
4. No Added Sugar Peanut Butter vs Hazelnut Spread: Which Should You Choose?
This is the question most spread buyers eventually ask. The answer depends on what you are optimising for. Neither category is universally superior: they serve different nutritional purposes and different usage occasions.
Choose Peanut Butter If You Want:
- Higher protein: 28g per 100g versus 6.3g or less in the hazelnut spreads. This is meaningful for anyone tracking protein intake.
- More dietary fibre: 7g per 100g, against 2.6g or less in the hazelnut spreads.
- A single clean ingredient: Both Diablo peanut butters list only roasted peanuts. No emulsifiers, no added oils, no sweeteners, no flavourings.
- Cholesterol: Both peanut butter variants show 0mg cholesterol per 100g on their verified data.
- Versatility in cooking and baking: Peanut butter dissolves readily into sauces, smoothies, and batters in a way that hazelnut spreads do not.
Choose a Hazelnut Spread If You Want:
- A lighter, smaller portion: The pack states a 15g portion, which works out at 74 kcal for the hazelnut and chocolate spread. These spreads are built to be used as a topping.
- The classic hazelnut-chocolate experience: For anyone who enjoys traditional hazelnut chocolate spreads, the Diablo NAS Hazelnut and Chocolate Spread delivers a recognisable flavour profile without the added sugar.
- Variety and visual impact: The Duo Hazelnut and White Choco Spread offers a distinctive two-tone presentation that works well as a gift or for a more special occasion.
- A milder, white chocolate flavour: The NAS White Spread suits those who find dark cocoa intense but still want a sweet, spreadable topping made without added sugar.
In everyday practice, many people keep both categories in the cupboard: peanut butter for weekday breakfasts and post-workout snacks, and a hazelnut spread as a weekend treat for toast or as a dessert accompaniment. There is no rule against using both.
5. How to Read a Spread Label: A Five-Step Practical Checklist
Not every product that carries a no-sugar or low-sugar claim is equivalent. Here is a practical framework for evaluating any spread, including those outside the Diablo range.
Identify the Claim
Distinguish between No Added Sugar (NAS) and Sugar Free (SF). NAS allows naturally occurring sugars. SF requires under 0.5g per 100g total. Neither claim automatically means zero calories or zero carbohydrates.
Check Per-Serving Sugar
A product with 8.6g sugar per 100g delivers only 1.3g per 15g serving. Per-serving data is what matters for your daily diet. Do not judge a spread by its per-100g sugar figure alone.
Identify the Sweetener
Maltitol is a polyol sweetener used in the three Diablo hazelnut spreads. It provides sweetness with no added sugar. Packs over 10 percent polyols carry the mandatory EU and UK line that excessive consumption may produce laxative effects.
Assess Fat Quality
Look at saturated fat as a proportion of total fat. Peanut butter is predominantly monounsaturated fat. The hazelnut spreads use rapeseed and palm oils. Read the saturates line on the panel and scale it to your own portion.
Check Protein and Fibre
Compare the protein and fibre lines on the same basis. For spreads, peanut butter leads: 28g protein and 7g fibre per 100g, against 6.3g protein and 2.6g fibre or less in the hazelnut spreads.
When comparing spreads in a supermarket, always bring the serving sizes to a common reference before judging the numbers. A peanut butter sold with a 32g serving and a hazelnut spread with a 15g serving cannot be directly compared at face value. Calculate the figures you care about (protein, sugar, calories) per gram, then multiply by your intended portion. This avoids the common mistake of dismissing a product because its per-serving figures look larger.
6. How to Use Each Diablo Spread: Practical Ideas for Every Occasion
Diablo NAS Peanut Butter Crunchy and Smooth
- On wholegrain toast or rice cakes as a protein-anchored breakfast or mid-morning snack
- Blended into smoothies with oat milk, banana, and a pinch of cinnamon for a filling, no-added-sugar drink
- As a dip for apple slices, celery, or carrot sticks, for a snack that brings protein, fat and fibre with it
- Stirred through overnight oats or porridge to add protein and a richer flavour without adding sugar
- In sugar-conscious baking: cookies, blondies, protein bars, and flapjacks all work well with peanut butter as a primary binding ingredient
- In savoury sauces: peanut butter dissolves into warm water, lime juice, soy sauce, and a little chilli for a quick satay-style sauce
Diablo NAS Hazelnut and Chocolate Spread
- On toast, crumpets, or waffles as a weekend breakfast treat for those watching their sugar intake
- Drizzled over Greek yoghurt with fresh berries for a dessert that is satisfying without added sugar
- As a no-bake tart or cheesecake filling combined with cream cheese and a nut-based crust
- As a dipping sauce for fresh strawberries, made with sweeteners instead of sugar
- Swirled through vanilla ice cream or low-sugar frozen yoghurt just before serving
- In crepe fillings alongside sliced banana
Diablo NAS Duo Hazelnut and White Choco Spread
- As a centrepiece on a sharing board alongside fruit, low-sugar crackers, and nuts
- As a gift: the two-tone presentation makes this one of the most visually distinctive items in the Diablo range
- In layered no-bake desserts where the contrast between the two shades creates visual interest
Diablo NAS White Spread
- On brioche-style or enriched bread where the sweeter, lighter flavour works better than a dark chocolate option
- In white chocolate-themed baking: blondies, no-bake slices, and white chocolate cheesecake bases
- As a milder alternative for those who find dark hazelnut spread too intense
Shop Diablo Spreads
7. Understanding Polyols: What Every Spread Buyer Should Know
The hazelnut-based spreads in the Diablo range are sweetened with maltitol, a polyol. Polyols are a class of ingredient that sits between sugar and traditional artificial sweeteners. They are found naturally in small amounts in some fruits but are also produced commercially for use in food manufacturing.
The reason polyols are widely used in no-added-sugar products is practical: they provide a texture, mouthfeel, and level of sweetness that closely matches sugar, which makes them suitable for chocolate-based and cream-based spreads in a way that high-intensity sweeteners like stevia alone cannot replicate.
| Polyol | Approx. Calories / g | Sweetness vs Sugar | Glycaemic Index (approx.) | Common Use in Spreads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maltitol | 2.1 | 90% | 35 | Hazelnut spreads, chocolate coatings |
| Erythritol | 0.2 | 70% | 0 | Lower-calorie bakery and beverage products |
| Xylitol | 2.4 | 100% | 7 | Confectionery, chewing gum |
| Sorbitol | 2.6 | 60% | 9 | Jams, soft confectionery |
| Isomalt | 2.0 | 45-65% | 2 | Hard candy, wafers |
Glycaemic index figures are approximate reference values and may vary by individual and product context. Sources: academic nutrition literature and food science reference databases.
Maltitol is effective at delivering sweetness with no added sugar, and it contributes to the texture of hazelnut spreads in a way that makes them genuinely comparable to conventional alternatives. The key guidance is consistent with what the mandatory label statement already says: enjoy these products in sensible portions as part of a balanced and varied diet.
Both Diablo peanut butters (Crunchy and Smooth) contain just one ingredient: roasted peanuts. Peanuts have a naturally slightly sweet flavour profile when roasted, which means no sweetener of any kind is needed. The 5.5g of sugars per 100g shown on the label is entirely naturally occurring sugar from the peanuts themselves.
8. Why Sugar-Reduced Spreads Are Growing: The Consumer Trend Behind the Category
The no-added-sugar and sugar-reduced spread category is growing across all major retail markets. Three intersecting consumer trends are driving this:
- Rising awareness of daily sugar intake. Research consistently shows that most adults in developed markets consume more than the recommended daily amount of free sugars. Consumers are actively looking for ways to reduce intake without giving up familiar foods and flavours.
- Growth in low-carbohydrate and reduced-sugar dietary approaches. Whether following a specific low-carb plan or simply making more considered food choices, a growing number of shoppers are reading nutrition labels more carefully than ever before and seeking out products with lower sugar per serving.
- Demand for clean-label, shorter ingredient lists. The success of peanut butters with a single ingredient or very short ingredient lists reflects a broader consumer shift toward products that are transparent about what they contain. Diablo's peanut butters, with a single-ingredient formulation, sit squarely in this trend.
For retailers, the Diablo spread range addresses all three of these trends simultaneously: NAS certification, competitive nutritional data, and ingredient lists that are straightforward to communicate on shelf and online.
Frequently Asked Questions
References and Sources
- Diablo Sugar Free Certificate of Analysis (COA) documents. Verified nutritional data for SPD-350-CPB-P12, SPD-350-SPB-P12, SPD-350-HZL-P12, SPD-350-DUO-P6, SPD-350-WHT-P6.
- Diablo Sugar Free Official Ingredients and Allergens data. Source: Ingredients_Allergens.xlsx.
- Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on nutrition and health claims made on foods (retained in UK law post-Brexit).
- EU Regulation No 609/2013 on foods intended for specific groups, which removed food designations for people with diabetes from its scope.
- UK Food Information Regulations 2014. legislation.gov.uk
- Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006: Nutrition claims and conditions applying to them (thresholds for "No Added Sugar," "Sugar Free," "Low Sugar").
- EU Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (mandatory polyol laxative warning requirements).
- GreenChoice Food Analysis. 13 Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Brands, Crunchy and Creamy. greenchoicenow.com
- Cleveland Clinic. Guide to the Best Nut Butters and Other Creamy Spreads. health.clevelandclinic.org
- International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th Edition. diabetesatlas.org
Explore the Diablo NAS Spread Range
Five no-added-sugar spreads. Peanut butter with a single clean ingredient. Hazelnut chocolate made with sweeteners instead of sugar. Real flavour, honest labelling, and verified nutrition data on every jar.
Shop Diablo SpreadsNo added sugar. COA-verified nutrition. Made with sweeteners instead of sugar.