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. Whether you are looking for the best sugar free peanut butter spread or the finest no sugar hazelnut spread, the answer is here.

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.

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.

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) use a US-format COA with a 30g serving size. Per 100g data is not available in the source document 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.

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.

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) 6%, emulsifier (lecithins), flavouring.

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.

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.

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.

All nutritional figures sourced from verified COA (Certificate of Analysis) documents. Sugar figures represent naturally occurring sugars only. No added sugar in any product.

Shop Diablo Peanut Butter

Crunchy Peanut Butter (340g)

No Added Sugar | 7g protein, 3g fibre per 30g | Single ingredient: roasted peanuts

Shop now

Smooth Peanut Butter (340g)

No Added Sugar | 7g protein, 3g fibre per 30g | Silky, versatile spread

Shop now

4. Sugar-Free Peanut Butter vs No Sugar 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 per serving: 7g per 30g serving versus 1g or less for the hazelnut spreads. This is meaningful for anyone tracking protein intake.
• More dietary fibre: 3g per 30g serving, which supports digestive health and helps you feel fuller for longer after eating.
• A single clean ingredient: Both Diablo peanut butters list only roasted peanuts. No emulsifiers, no added oils, no sweeteners, no flavourings.
• Zero cholesterol: Both peanut butter variants contain 0mg cholesterol per serving.
• 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 serving: At 15g per serving and 74 kcal, these spreads are designed as a topping rather than a nutrition source. Easier to keep within a controlled daily calorie budget.
• 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.

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: the combination of protein, fat, and fibre makes this a genuinely sustaining snack
• 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: a genuinely indulgent combination that delivers far less sugar than a conventional chocolate dip
• 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

Hazelnut Chocolate Spread (350g)

No Added Sugar | 74 kcal per 15g serving | Rich hazelnut-chocolate flavour

Shop now

Duo Hazelnut and White Choco Spread (350g)

No Added Sugar | 74 kcal per 15g serving | Two-tone visual appeal

Shop now

White Chocolate Spread (350g)

No Added Sugar | 73 kcal per 15g serving | Lighter white chocolate flavour

Shop now

Smooth Peanut Butter (340g)

No Added Sugar | 7g protein per 30g serving | 100% roasted peanuts

Shop now

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.

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.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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