Sugar Substitutes

SUGAR SUBSTITUTES

Sugar substitutes are used in place of sugar to give a sweet taste with little to no calories, carbohydrate or nutrients. The sweetening power of most sugar substitutes is at least 100 times more intense than regular sugar. Therefore you only need to use a small amount to get the desired taste. With the exception of aspartame, the other sweeteners cannot be broken down by the body. This means they will pass through the body without being digested.

THE FDA APPROVED SWEETENERS

Saccharin–the first sugar substitute discovered. It is formulated to taste 300 times sweeter than actual sugar. Brand names include: Sweet‘N Low, Sweet Twin and Necta Sweet.

Aspartame–about 200 times sweeter than table sugar. Brand names include: NutraSweet, Equal, Sugar Twin and Natra Taste.

Acesulfame-K–also about 200 times sweeter than sugar. It doesn’t break down at high temperatures, so it can be used in cooking. Brand names include: Sunette and Sweet One.

Sucralose–about 600 times sweeter than table sugar. Like Acesulfame-K it is heat stable and can be used in cooking and baking. It also has a long shelf life so it retains its sweetness. Brand Name: Splenda.

Neotame–the sweetest of the sweeteners at 7,000-13,000 times sweeter than table sugar. It is not available for consumers to purchase.

Stevia–a “natural” sweetener that comes from the Stevia plant found in Central and South America. There are two forms Reb A and stevioside. Both are 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. Only the purified form Reb A has been approved by the FDA. Brand names include: SweetLeaf and Truvia.

WHAT FOODS CONTAIN SUGAR SUBSTITUTES?

Non-nutritive sweeteners are found in many products including beverages, puddings, gelatins, desserts, yogurts, candies and syrups. Most products labeled “no sugar added” or “sugar free” are generally made with one or more sugar substitute.

ARE SUGAR SUBSTITUTES SAFE FOR YOUR HEALTH?

The FDA has approved the above sugar substitutes as safe for consumption. There are reports of some side effects such as headaches and digestion complaints. If you suspect you are sensitive to any particular sweetener you should stop using it.