What’s better than an ice cream sundae topped with warm chocolate Hershey’s sauce? Or perhaps a tall glass of cold chocolate milk? Hershey’s chocolate syrup has become a household staple, typically used on ice cream sundaes or to make classic chocolate milk.
Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup is vegan. Its main ingredients are high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, cacao, and sugar. Hershey’s syrups contain highly processed and unhealthy ingredients, not suitable for those looking to curb their sugar intake. The best healthier alternatives to Hershey’s chocolate syrup include RxSugar Organic Chocolate Syrup, Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetened Chocolate Sauce, and Enlightened Chocolate sauce.
In this article, we will review various Hershey’s syrup flavors, ingredients, and their nutritional content. We will then explore healthier sugar-free alternatives. Let’s dig in!
Contents
A Quick Trip Down Memory Lane
In the 1800s, chocolate syrup ironically emerged when pharmacists began to use it as medicine and mixture to mask the flavor and bitterness of certain drugs such as morphine or opium. When stricter labeling laws were put in place in the 1900s under the “Pure Food and Drug Law”, pharmacists were unable to brand chocolate as a medicine.
In 1926, Hershey’s was the first company to commercially produce a sweet chocolate sauce with solely two ingredients, chocolate and sugar. The ingredients list has grown exponentially over the years. Unfortunately, the simple original syrup contains far more ingredients, most of which are highly processed and unhealthy.
Is Hershey’s Syrup Healthy?
Hershey’s chocolate syrup’s main ingredients (besides chocolate liquor) are high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and corn syrup.
HFCS is a sweetener made from corn starch and is linked to obesity more than granulated sugar, as it is sweeter and is absorbed quicker by the body. HFCS and regular corn syrup are both derived from corn starch, yet corn syrup is 100% glucose and does not contain fructose like HFCS.
Many food manufacturers use HFCS and corn syrup as a cheap sugar alternative. These can literally be found in hundreds of products in the U.S. However, in the UK and Europe, HFCS and corn syrup are banned — which should say enough. Try to read labels to avoid products that contain highly processed ingredients like HFCS and corn syrup. There is no nutritional value in them and they cause more harm than good.
Are all Hershey’s Syrups Vegan?
There are three different types of Hershey’s syrups:
- Chocolate
- Strawberry
- Caramel
Hershey’s chocolate and strawberry syrups are vegan. However, the caramel sauce includes skim milk, making it not vegan-friendly. Still, there are many healthier options available that skip the highly processed fructose corn syrups and sugars altogether.
Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup Nutritional Information
Hershey’s chocolate syrup is most commonly used for ice cream toppings, milkshakes, or flavored milk. As previously mentioned, its main ingredients are high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup. One teaspoon of this syrup has about 10 grams of sugar, making this a highly sugary addition to any diet.
Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
Ingredients:
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Corn Syrup
- Water
- Cocoa
- Sugar
- Contains less than 2% or less of:
- Potassium Sorbatea Artificialis (Preservative)
- Salt
- Mono and Diglycerides
- Xanthum Gum
- Polysorbate 20
- Vanillin
Nutrition Facts (1 tsp 19g):
- 45 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 5 mg Sodium
- 12 g Total Carbohydrate
- <1 g Dietary Fiber
- 10 g Sugar
- 0 g Protein
- 2mg Calcium
- .6mg Iron
- 30 mg Potassium
Hershey’s Strawberry Syrup
Ingredients:
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Water
- Corn Syrup
- Contains 2% or Less of:
- Artificial Flavor
- Citric Acid
- Sodium Benzoate
- Xanthan Gum
- Artificial Color [Red 40]
Nutrition Facts (1 tsp 19g):
- 50 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 0 mg Sodium
- 12 g Total Carbohydrate
- 11 g Sugar
- 0 g Protein
Hershey’s Caramel Syrup
Ingredients:
- Corn Syrup
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Sweetened Condensed Skim Milk
- Water
- Contains 2% or less of:
- Disodium Phosphate
- Sodium Citrate
- Salt
- Artificial Flavor
- Caramel Color
- Xanthan Gum
- Artificial Color (Yellow 6; Yellow 5)
Nutrition Facts (1 tsp, 20g):
- 50 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 60 mg Sodium
- 13 g Total Carbohydrate
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 10 g Total Sugar
- 10.4 mg Calcium
- 15 mg Potassium
Healthy Vegan Alternatives to Hershey’s Syrup
While Hershey’s syrup is high in corn syrup, sugar, and sodium, there are plenty of less processed and sugary alternatives to fulfil your craving for this chocolaty goodness.
RxSugar Organic Chocolate Syrup
RxSugar is plant-based, non-GMO, and keto certified chocolate syrup alternative with no artificial flavoring or sweeteners. It is also USDA organic and safe for people with diabetes as it contains zero sugar.
Ingredients:
- Organic Allulose
- Organic Cocoa Powder
Nutrition Facts (Serving size 2 tbsp.):
- 0 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 mg Sodium
- 22 g Total Carbohydrate
- 1 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Total Sugars
- 0 g Added Sugars
Lakanto Monk fruit Sweetened Chocolate Syrup
Lakanto offers a sugar-free chocolate syrup alternative flavored with non-GMO monk fruit. Monk fruit is a small round fruit with origins in the remote highlands of China. The fruit is processed in a zero-emission processing plant making this not only a sugar-free alternative, but also sustainable too!
Ingredients:
- Water
- Vegetable Glycerin
- Non-GMO Lakanto Monk fruit Sweetener (Erythritol and Monk fruit extract)
- Cocoa
- Natural Flavors
- Potato Starch
- Salt
- Cultured Dextrose
- Sodium Bisulfate
- Konjac
- Xanthum Gum
Nutrition Facts (Serving size 2 tbsp.):
- 60 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 65 mg Sodium
- 15 g Total Carbohydrate
- <1 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Total Sugars
- 13 g sugar alcohol
- 0 g Protein
- 10 mg Calcium
- 53 mg Potassium
Enlightened Sugar-Free Chocolate Syrup
Enlightened Sugar-Free Chocolate syrups avoid artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium which are known for affecting blood sugar. Instead, Enlightened uses real cocoa and monk fruit sweetener.
Ingredients:
- Soluble Corn Fiber
- Erythritol
- Water
- Cocoa
- Natural Flavor
- Sea Salt
- Monk Fruit Extract
- Citric Acid
Nutrition Facts (1 tsp):
- 20 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 40 mg Sodium
- 13 g Total Carbohydrate
- 9 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Total Sugars
- 3 g Sugar Alcohol
Walden Farms Sugar-free Chocolate Sauce
This chocolate sauce by Walden Farms is free of calories, fat, carbohydrates, gluten, and sugar. It is also made with real quality chocolate from cacao.
Ingredients:
- Triple Filtered Purified Water
- Defatted Cocoa Powder
- Caramel Color Natural Flavors
- Vegetable Fiber
- Sucralose
- Sea Salt
- Vanilla Flavor
- Lactic Acid
- Xanthan Gum
- Sodium Benzoate
Nutrition Facts (2 tbsp.):
- 0 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 110 mg Sodium
- 1 g Total Carbohydrate
- 1 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Total Sugars
Torani Sugar-Free Chocolate Sauce
Chocolate without the guilt! Torani chocolate sauce is a sugar-free and zero-calorie treat to satisfy your chocolate craving. However, it does contain several preservatives.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Natural Flavors
- Caramel Color
- Citric Acid
- Acesulfame Potassium
- Sodium Benzoate (to preserve freshness)
- Potassium Sorbate (to preserve freshness)
- Xanthan Gum
- Sucralose
- Cocoa (processed with alkali)
Nutrition Facts (2 tbsp.):
- 0 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 5 mg Sodium
- 0 g Total Carbohydrate
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Total Sugars
Homemade 3 Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Syrup
This quick and easy 3 ingredient chocolate syrup comes from Detoxinsta is a great alternative to Hershey’s chocolate syrup. It contains no added sugar or processed ingredients. There are so many ways and resources to make our favorite store-bough products at home!
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp. Almond Butter
- 2 Tbsp. Cacao Powder
- 2 Tbsp. Maple Syrup
- 1-3 Tbsp. Hot Water (to thin as needed)
Instructions:
- Combine almond butter, cacao powder, maple syrup, and 1 tbsp. water in a small bowl. Use a whisk to stir well.
- Add more water for a thinner consistency. Add more maple syrup for more sweetness.
- Serve right away or store in the Hershey’s fridge for up to 5 days
Nutrition Facts (1 tbsp.):
- 82 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 2 mg Sodium
- 2 mg Protein
- 10 g Total Carbohydrate
- 2 g Dietary Fiber
- 6 g Total Sugars
- 42 mg Calcium
Takeaway
Hershey’s chocolate syrup has always been a nostalgic addition to some of our favorite treats. However, as we have seen, Hershey’s syrups are loaded with sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and sodium. This should make us question if this is the right ingredient to keep stocking our cupboards with.
Unfortunately, many American household brands like Hershey’s contain highly processed ingredients. Remember to always check the label and if you can’t pronounce or recognize the ingredient, then you most likely shouldn’t consume it.
The good news is that many brands offer healthier sugar-free alternatives and have found ways to replicate the same flavor without the harmful additives, like corn syrup. Cacao powder is a great healthy ingredient to have on hand for quick a variety of recipes that call for chocolate. As for sweeteners, there are many natural alternatives to high-fructose corn syrup and corn syrup such as maple syrup, agave, and monk fruit sweetener. It always best to make homemade alternatives if you have the time and desire to avoid any nasty additives.
Related Questions
Is Hershey’s syrup gluten-free?
Hershey’s chocolate syrup is gluten-free.
Is Hershey’s syrup halal?
Hershey’s is certified halal by INFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutritional Council of America).
Is Hershey’s syrup keto-friendly?
Hershey’s chocolate syrup is not keto-friendly as it is high in sugar and carbs.