Walk down the aisles at the grocery looking for a sugar substitute. OMG! How do you choose? Especially if you are one of the millions with diabetes.
This list may help. They are the most common artificial sweeteners and how they affect your blood sugar levels.
- Agave Nectar – Agave nectar is a concentrated sugar syrup that is an alternative to honey. Vegans love this sweetener except it has twice the calories as granulator sugar. It is 1.5 times sweeter than table sugar. This artificial sweetener should be limited.
- Aspartame – Aspartame is produced by linking two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine. You may know it as Equal and NutraSweet. Aspartame is used in soft drinks, dairy, candy, fruit spreads and other foods. Please read the labels. Aspartame is 200 times sweeter than sugar. People with diabetes may use this since it has no effect on blood glucose levels.
- Stevia – Stevia is from the plan, stevia, from South America. You may know it as PureVia, Truvia and SweetLeaf Sweetener. If is found in soft drinks, desserts, gum baked goods, candy, yogurt. Stevia is 300 times sweeter than sugar. People with diabetes may use this since it has no effect on blood glucose levels.
- Sucralose – Sucralose is a no-calorie sugar substitute. You may know it as Sucralose or Splenda. Sucralose is found in processed foods. Splenda is 600 times sweeter than sugar. People with diabetes should use very little. Splenda contains about 1 gram of carbs per teaspoon, which could affect blood sugar levels.