Smokin' Joe Jones No Sugar Added Barbecue & Dippin' Sauce

We were surprised at the limited selection of sugar-free, low-carb, diabetic-friendly BBQ sauces available on the market today. BBQ experts tell us that a good BBQ sauce shouldn't have that many sweeteners or calories to begin with, but nevertheless, some commercial brands are still loaded with sugars and artificial sweeteners, such as the controversial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

We're also surprised to note that several sugar-free sauces -- most notably, Bellycheer Original Grilling Sauce, a former Best Reviewed -- are no longer available. One source reports that Bellycheer has been rebranded as "Lynchburg Tennessee Whiskey Sweet & Mild Sugar Free Grillin' Sauce," but we can't find this particular sauce on the manufacturer's site (Porky's Gourmet), and there are no reviews posted of it. Porky's does list a BBQ sauce called on its site called "Historic Lynchburg Diabetic Friendly," but there's no information as to whether or not this is the same formula as Bellycheer or not, and there are no reviews available.

If you're looking for a no-sugar BBQ sauce, one brand, Smokin' Joe Jones No Sugar Added Barbecue and Dippin' Sauce (*Est. $6 for 16.5 oz.) rates a number of convincingly positive reviews on Amazon.com. Users say that Smokin' Joe Jones No Sugar Added sauce (it's sweetened with Splenda) has a "phenomenal" sweetness that tastes like sugar, a pleasant smokiness and tang, and a thick consistency that clings to the meat. In addition, they're enthusiastic about the fact that there's no sacrifice in flavor, although this all-natural sauce is sugar-free, gluten-free, low-carb, low in sodium, and has no cholesterol, MSG or preservatives. Smokin' Joe Jones sugar-free BBQ sauce is certified by the American Diabetes Association, and it's certified kosher as well.