Artificial Sweeteners
| Author: Judy Kohn, RN, BSN, CDE |
| Last Updated: Friday, March 17, 2006 |
Q: "Do artificial sweeteners raise blood sugar?"
A: No. Artificial sweeteners are called "free foods" because they have virtually no calories and they will not raise your blood glucose. Free foods are defined as having 20 calories or less. We’ve come along way since the days when the only choice was saccharine. There are now several artificial sweeteners available on the market; they have all been tested extensively, are approved by the FDA, and have the endorsement of the American Diabetes Association and American Dietetic Association.
Because individual tastes vary, it is worth trying each of these to see which ones are most suitable for you. Also note that some sweeteners can be used in cooking, while others lose their sweetening properties when exposed to high temperatures.
A note of caution: Sugar alcohols are not the same as artificial sweeteners, and you do need to consider the carbohydrate content. You can learn more about these from the references at the end of this answer.
Fortunately, helpful information is available from reputable websites, as well as recipes and further information from each artificial sweetener’s website.
Finally, since individual responses can vary, be sure to consult your diabetes team to see if artificial sweeteners are right for you.
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Related Links
Calorie Control Council
http://www.caloriecontrol.com
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
http://www.diabetes.org
Aspartame (Nutrasweet®)
http://www.aspartame.org
Acesulfame Potassium (Sweet One, or Acesulfame-K)
http://www.sweetone.com
Sucralose (SPLENDA)
http://www.splenda.com
Saccharine (Sweet n’ Low®)
http://www.sweetnlow.com
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
All tradenames and trademarks not owned by Abbott Laboratories are the property of their respective owners. For details on tradenames and trademarks and their respective owners, visit the non-Abbott trademarks listing.
