Guide to artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes

Sorbitol

Sorbitol​ ​​is​ ​about​ ​half​ ​as​ ​sweet​ ​as​ ​table​ ​sugar​ ​and​ ​has​ ​about​ ​half​ ​the​ ​calories.​ ​ It​ ​is​ ​commercially​ ​made from​ ​dextrose​ ​(glucose)​ ​produced​ ​from​ ​corn​ ​starch. Products:​ ​Most​ ​toothpastes​ ​contain​ ​this​ ​according​ ​to​ ​NIH,​ ​sugar​ ​free​ ​gum​ ​and​ ​candies

natural sugar substitutes

Stevia: -Green ​​Leaf​​ Stevia ​​(whole​​ leaf) -Stevia ​​Leaf​​ Extracts -Processed​ ​Stevia Monk​ ​Fruit

Stevia Leaf Extracts

Stevia​ ​Leaf​ ​Extracts​​ ​are​ ​products​ ​made​ ​with​ ​an​ ​extraction​ ​of​ ​the​ ​stevia​ ​compound​ ​rebaudioside, sometimes​ ​seen​ ​as​ ​Reb​ ​A​ ​on​ ​labels​ ​(Reb​ ​A​ ​has​ ​been​ ​granted​ ​GRAS​ ​status).​ ​ Extract​ ​is​ ​available​ ​in powder​ ​form​ ​or​ ​​ ​liquid​ ​form​ ​by​ ​blending​ ​concentrated​ ​stevia​ ​extract​ ​in​ ​a​ ​base​ ​of​ ​purified​ ​water.

where does stevia come from?

Stevia​​ ​is​ ​about​ ​200-350​ ​times​ ​sweeter​ ​than​ ​table​ ​sugar​ ​and​ ​has​ ​no​ ​calories.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​made​ ​from​ ​the Stevia​ ​rebaudiana​ ​plant​ ​of​ ​South​ ​America.​

processed stevia

Truvia SweetLeaf PureVia Stevia​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Raw

the most natural sugar substitutes when clients can't control sugar intake:

For​ ​clients​ ​who​ ​might​ ​struggle​ ​with​ ​controlling​ ​intake​ ​of​ ​caloric​ ​sugars,​ ​the​ ​most natural​ ​sugar​ ​substitutes​ ​including​ ​monk​ ​fruit​ ​and​ ​pure​ ​stevia​ ​extracts​ ​are​ ​a​ ​better​ ​choice​ ​than​ ​any artificial​ ​or​ ​overly​ ​processed​ ​sweetener.

how to help clients appreciate the flavors of foods

Help​ ​your​ ​clients​ ​learn​ ​to​ ​appreciate​ ​the​ ​natural​ ​taste​ ​of​ ​real foods​ ​without​ ​relying​ ​on​ ​sweeteners​ ​for​ ​flavor.​ ​ Once​ ​they​ ​are​ ​weaned​ ​off​ ​sweeteners​ ​they​ ​will​ ​learn to​ ​love​ ​the​ ​tart​ ​taste​ ​of​ ​yogurt,​ ​the​ ​bitter​ ​taste​ ​of​ ​coffee,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​refreshing​ ​taste​ ​of​ ​plain​ ​old​ ​water or​ ​tea.​ ​That​ ​said,​ ​not​ ​all​ ​clients​ ​will​ ​have​ ​any​ ​easy​ ​time​ ​removing​ ​sweetness​ ​from​ ​their​ ​diets.​

hypoglycemia in those with type 2 diabetes

Consuming​ ​excess​ ​of​ ​these​ ​products​ ​can​ ​lead​ ​to​ ​hypoglycemia​ ​in​ ​those​ ​with​ ​type​ ​2​ ​diabetes (a​ ​target​ ​population​ ​for​ ​these​ ​products​ ​to​ ​be​ ​marketed​ ​to).​ ​​

sugar alcohols

Erythritol Sorbitol Xylitol

Erythritol

Erythritol​​ ​is​ ​70%​ ​the​ ​sweetness​ ​of​ ​sugar​ ​and​ ​gives​ ​20%​ ​of​ ​the​ ​calories​ ​per​ ​gram​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​table sugar.​ ​ It​ ​is​ ​manufactured​ ​from​ ​cornstarch​ ​and​ ​is​ ​used​ ​mainly​ ​in​ ​confectionery​ ​and​ ​baked​ ​goods, chewing​ ​gum​ ​and​ ​some​ ​beverages.​ ​It's​ ​the​ ​least​ ​offensive​ ​option​ ​as​ ​far​ ​as​ ​GI​ ​distress​ ​goes. Products:​ ​Halo​ ​Top​ ​ice​ ​cream,​ ​Enlightened​ ​ice​ ​cream,​ ​Elli​ ​Quark,​ ​Bai​ ​Beverages,​ ​Starbucks​ ​Refreshers

what is hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia​ ​is​ ​low​ ​blood​ ​sugar. U sually​ ​when​ ​you​ ​eat​ ​something​ ​sweet​ ​it​ ​triggers​ ​the​ ​release​ ​of​ ​insulin​ ​in​ ​your​ ​body.​ ​Insulin​ ​allows you​ ​to​ ​absorb​ ​glucose​ ​into​ ​your​ ​cells.​

which monk fruit to buy

If choosing​ ​monk​ ​fruit,​ ​try​ ​to​ ​find​ ​pure​ ​sources​ ​without​ ​other​ ​things​ ​added.

who is stevia for?

If​ ​you​ ​can​ ​control​ ​the​ ​very​ ​small​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​refined​ ​sugar​ ​in​ ​your​ ​diet you​ ​may​ ​be​ ​fine​ ​with​ ​keeping​ ​it​ ​in.​ ​For​ ​others,​ ​stevia​ ​is​ ​an​ ​alternative,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​less​ ​processed​ ​forms are​ ​recommended.​ ​

erythritol and the GI system

Large​ ​intakes​ ​of​ ​erythritol​ ​have been​ ​linked​ ​to​ ​diarrhea,​ ​nausea​ ​and​ ​borborygmus​ ​(aka​ ​stomach​ ​rumbling​ ​from​ ​gas),​

Monk Fruit

Monk​ ​Fruit​​ ​is​ ​150​ ​to​ ​200​ ​times​ ​sweeter​ ​than​ ​table​ ​sugar​ ​with​ ​zero​ ​calories.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​type​ ​of​ ​small melon​ ​found​ ​in​ ​Southeast​ ​Asia.​ ​​ ​You​ ​can​ ​find​ ​monk​ ​fruit​ ​in​ ​sweeteners​ ​like​ ​Monk​ ​Fruit​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Raw. It's​ ​also​ ​used​ ​in​ ​many​ ​processed​ ​foods,​ ​sometimes​ ​in​ ​combination​ ​with​ ​other​ ​sweeteners.​ ​

natural sugar substitutes - what are they

Natural​ ​sugar​ ​substitutes​ ​​are​ ​sweeteners​ ​that​ ​come​ ​from​ ​natural​ ​sources​ ​and​ ​are​ ​typically​ ​thought to​ ​be​ ​minimally​ ​processed.​ ​ few​ ​natural​ ​sugar​ ​substitutes​ ​that​ ​are okay ​in​ ​small​ ​amounts.​ ​

take away points

OK​ ​to​ ​say​ ​that​ ​the​ ​science​ ​isn't​ ​conclusive​ ​on​ ​all​ ​of​ ​them​ ​yet.​ ​ not​ ​room in​ ​a​ ​healthful​ ​diet​ ​for​ ​artificial​ ​anything,​ ​and​ ​most​ ​sweeteners​ ​in​ ​excess​ ​are​ ​damaging​ ​to​ ​health​ ​and make​ ​weight​ ​management​ ​even​ ​harder.​ ​

products made with monk fruit:

Products:​ ​Vitalicious​ ​products​ ​(VitaCakes),​ ​Kashi​ ​products​ ​(powders),​ ​Bear​ ​Naked​ ​products,​ ​So​ ​Delicious​ ​products, Pure​ ​Nutrition​ ​Whey​ ​Isolate​ ​Protein,​ ​Emergen-C​ ​supplements,​ ​Dole​ ​Fruit​ ​Cups,​ ​Hubert's​ ​Diet​ ​Lemonade,​ ​Arctic Zero,​ ​Chobani​ ​Simply​ ​100

PureVia

PureVia​ ​​is​ ​made​ ​from​ ​dextrose,​ ​stevia​ ​powder,​ ​Reb​ ​A,​ ​and​ ​natural​ ​flavors.

sugar alcohols and the GI system

Sugar​ ​alcohols​ ​has negative effect on GI system ​​They're considered​ ​low-digestible​ ​carbohydrates​ ​(LDCs)​ ​because​ ​they​ ​are​ ​either​ ​partially​ ​absorbed​ ​in​ ​the small​ ​intestine​ ​or​ ​not​ ​absorbed​ ​at​ ​all​ ​but​ ​are​ ​at​ ​least​ ​partly​ ​fermented​ ​by​ ​bacteria​ ​in​ ​the​ ​large intestine.​ ​For​ ​this​ ​reason​ ​they​ ​can​ ​cause​ ​some​ ​unpleasant​ ​symptoms.​ (examples: erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol)

SweetLeaf

SweetLeaf​​ ​is​ ​a​ ​combination​ ​of​ ​stevia,​ ​silica,​ ​and​ ​inulin.

novel sweeteners

Tagatose Trehalose Fructo-oligosaccharide

​two​ ​compounds​ ​in​ ​the​ ​plant​ ​that​ ​give​ ​stevia​ ​its sweet​ ​taste:​

There​ ​are​ ​two​ ​compounds​ ​in​ ​the​ ​plant​ ​that​ ​give​ ​stevia​ ​its sweet​ ​taste:​ ​ stevioside​ ​ rebaudioside.​ ​

sugar alcohols and the body

They​ ​are​ ​typically a​ ​little​ ​less​ ​sweet​ ​than​ ​table​ ​sugar​ ​and​ ​contain​ ​fewer​ ​calories​ ​because​ ​they​ ​aren't​ ​converted​ ​to​ ​glucose as​ ​quickly​ ​and​ ​thus​ ​aren't​ ​fully​ ​absorbed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​body.​ ​ These​ ​"mock"​ ​sugars​ ​can​ ​cause​ ​stomach​ ​upset (GI​ ​distress)​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​the​ ​artificial​ ​sweeteners​ ​listed​ ​above.​ unknown longterm effects on the body

They​ ​can​ ​damage​ ​the​ ​beneficial​ ​microflora​ ​in​ ​the​ ​gut​.​ ​

They​ ​change​ ​the​ ​microflora​ ​and​ ​pH balance​ ​in​ ​the​ ​gut.​ ​By​ ​altering​ ​the​ ​natural​ ​ecosystem​ ​of​ ​the​ ​stomach​ ​and​ ​intestines,​ ​they​ ​put​ ​cells​ ​at increased​ ​risk​ ​of​ ​infiltration​ ​by​ ​harmful​ ​bacteria​ ​which​ ​increases​ ​risk​ ​of​ ​infection.

They​ ​cause​ ​cravings​ ​for​ ​more​ ​sugar.​​ ​

When​ ​you​ ​eat​ ​foods​ ​that​ ​taste​ ​sweet,​ ​the​ body​ ​expects calories​ ​to​ ​follow​ ​that​ ​hit​ ​of​ ​sweetness.​ ​When​ ​you​ ​don't​ ​get​ ​those​ ​calories,​ ​you​ ​end​ ​up​ ​with​ ​sugar cravings​ ​later​ ​in​ ​the​ ​day.

how artificial sweeteners causes hypoglycemia

When​ ​you​ ​eat​ ​something​ ​artificially​ ​sweetened,​ ​your​ ​body​ ​still triggers​ ​the​ ​release​ ​of​ ​insulin​ ​but​ ​there​ ​is​ ​no​ ​glucose​ ​available​ ​because​ ​the​ ​artificial​ ​sweetener​ ​has​ ​no glucose​ ​in​ ​it.​ ​So,​ ​the​ ​insulin​ ​gathers​ ​any​ ​glucose​ ​from​ ​the​ ​blood​ ​that​ ​it​ ​can,​ ​and​ ​causes​ ​your​ ​blood sugar​ ​to​ ​drop​ ​(because​ ​it's​ ​all​ ​being​ ​absorbed​ ​into​ ​your​ ​cells).

whole leaf stevia vs most processed forms

Whole​ ​leaf​ ​stevia​ ​products​ ​contain​ ​both​ ​sweet​ ​compounds (note​ ​that​ ​this​ ​does​ ​not​ ​have​ ​FDA​ ​GRAS​ ​status),​ ​ while​ ​most​ ​processed​ ​forms​ ​of​ ​stevia​ ​just​ ​contain rebaudioside​ ​(Reb​ ​A)​ ​or​ ​a​ ​combination​ ​of​ ​Reb​ ​A​ ​and​ ​fillers.​

xylitol

about as​ ​sweet​ ​as​ ​table​ ​sugar,​ ​is​ ​absorbed​ ​slowly​ ​and​ ​only​ ​partially​ ​utilized​ ​so​ ​it​ ​has​ ​just over​ ​half​ ​the​ ​calories.​ ​ It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​sugar​ ​alcohol​ ​found​ ​naturally​ ​in​ ​woody​ ​fibrous​ ​plant​ ​materials​ ​like​ ​corn cobs​ ​or​ ​hardwood. Products:​ ​Nasal​ ​sprays,​ ​gums​ ​and​ ​candies

most common artificial sweeteners:

aspartame sucralose acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) saccharin

Trehalose

half​ ​as​ ​sweet​ ​as​ ​sugar​ ​and​ ​has​ ​4​ ​calories​ ​per​ ​gram​ ​(that's​ ​the​ ​same​ ​as​ ​sugar).​ ​It​ ​is manufactured​ ​commercially​ ​from​ ​cornstarch,​ ​but​ ​is​ ​also​ ​naturally​ ​found​ ​in​ ​foods​ ​such​ ​as​ ​honey, mushrooms,​ ​shrimp​ ​and​ ​lobster.​ marketed​ ​under​ ​the​ ​Cargill​ ​company's​ ​brand​ ​Treha.​ ​It's​ ​not common​ ​in​ ​packaged​ ​foods​ ​and​ ​isn't​ ​actually​ ​used​ ​for​ ​its​ ​sweetening​ ​abilities.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​see​ ​it​ ​in​ ​food​ ​or cosmetic​ ​products​ ​it​ ​is​ ​likely​ ​there​ ​as​ ​a​ ​preservative.

Stevia in the Raw

made​ ​from​ ​dextrose​ ​and​ ​stevia​ ​leaf​ ​extract.

Truvia

one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​popular​ ​brands​ ​and​ ​is​ ​brand​ ​mix​ ​of​ ​stevia​ ​leaf​ ​extract​ ​(just​ ​the rebaudioside​ ​compound),​ ​erythritol​ ​and​ ​natural​ ​flavors.​ ​ Truvia​ ​relies​ ​on​ ​stevia​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​most​ ​of the​ ​sweetness​ ​while​ ​erythritol​ ​is​ ​used​ ​as​ ​a​ ​bulking​ ​agent​ ​to​ ​give​ ​it​ ​a​ ​crystalline​ ​form​ ​so​ ​that​ ​it resembles​ ​table​ ​sugar.​ ​The​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​the​ ​product​ ​is​ ​erythritol;​ ​stevia​ ​is​ ​just​ ​1%​ ​since​ ​it's​ ​sweetness is​ ​so​ ​potent.​ ​You​ ​usually​ ​won't​ ​see​ ​the​ ​brand​ ​name​ ​Truvia​ ​on​ ​an​ ​ingredients​ ​list,​ ​but​ ​many​ ​products use​ ​a​ ​combination​ ​of​ ​stevia​ ​and​ ​erythritol.

processed stevia:

processed,​ ​sometimes​ ​highly​ ​processed.​ ​ They​ ​contain​ ​the​ ​sweet rebaudioside​ ​compounds​ ​from​ ​the​ ​stevia​ ​leaf​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​other​ ​fillers.​ ​ Truvia,​ ​SweetLeaf,​ ​PureVia​ ​and Stevia​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Raw​ ​are​ ​a​ ​few​ ​brands​ ​on​ ​the​ ​shelf.

what to avoid when it comes to artificial sweeteners

single serving packs like: sweet n low, splenda, equal marketing terms: "Sugar free" "diet"

why some natural sugar substitutes should be avoided

some ​"natural"​ ​sweeteners​ ​that​ ​are highly​ ​refined​ ​forms​ ​of​ ​their​ ​natural​ ​sources,​ ​including​ ​some​ ​stevia​ ​products​ ​like​ ​truvia.​ These​ ​types of​ ​natural​ ​sweeteners​ ​are​ ​mixed​ ​with​ ​sugar​ ​alcohols​ ​(listed​ ​above)​ ​and/or​ ​other​ ​fillers.​ ​ avoid​ ​any​ ​highly processed​ ​sweetener.​ ​

sorbitol and the GI system

sorbitol​ ​can​ ​have​ ​laxative​ ​effects​ ​and​ ​lead​ ​to​ ​diarrhea​ ​-​ ​it's​ ​even approved​ ​by​ ​the​ ​FDA​ ​as​ ​a​ ​laxative.

benefits of stevioside

studies​ ​(using extremely​ ​high​ ​doses)​ ​have​ ​linked​ ​stevia​ ​to​ ​changes​ ​in​ ​DNA stevioside​ ​may​ ​lower​ ​blood​ ​pressure​ ​in​ ​people​ ​with​ ​elevated​ ​blood​ ​pressure.​ ​ ​reduction​ ​in​ ​blood​ ​sugar​ ​and potential​ ​glycemic​ ​control​ ​in​ ​people​ ​with​ ​diabetes.​ ​​possible anti-inflammatory​ ​benefits.​ ​

novel sweeteners - what are they

sweetening​ ​materials​ ​not​ ​previously​ ​known​ ​or​ ​used​ ​in​ ​the​ ​food​ ​supply.​ ​They are​ ​often​ ​combinations​ ​of​ ​various​ ​types​ ​of​ ​sweeteners,​ ​are​ ​less​ ​commonly​ ​known,​ ​and​ ​are​ ​mostly advertised​ ​as​ ​natural​ ​sweeteners.​ ​(Stevia​ ​and​ ​Truvia​ ​are​ ​both​ ​natural​ ​and​ ​were​ ​once​ ​novel sweeteners).​

xylitol and the GI system

xylitol​ ​has​ ​been shown​ ​to​ ​cause​ ​cramps,​ ​

Acesulfame​ ​potassium​​ ​also​ ​known​ ​as​ ​Ace-K,

​200​ ​times​ ​sweeter​ ​than​ ​sugar​ ​and​ ​is​ ​marketed​ ​as Sweet​ ​One.​ ​ ​found​ ​in​ ​many​ ​products​ ​in​ ​combination​ ​with​ ​aspartame​ ​or​ ​sucralose​ ​ Products:​ ​Powerade​ ​Zero,​ ​Gatorade​ ​G2,​ ​Coke​ ​Zero,​ ​Sprite​ ​Zero,​ ​yogurt

Sucralose

​600​ ​times​ ​sweeter​ ​than​ ​sugar​ ​and​ ​is​ ​marketed​ ​as​ ​Splenda​ ​(the​ ​yellow​ ​packets)​ ​and Equal​ ​Sucralose. Products:​ ​Ocean​ ​Spray​ ​Light,​ ​Flavored​ ​Propel​ ​Fitness​ ​Water,​ ​Diet​ ​V8​ ​Splash,​ ​Yoplait​ ​Light,​ ​Yoplait​ ​Greek​ ​100, Dannon​ ​Light​ ​&​ ​Fit,​ ​Breyer's​ ​No​ ​Sugar​ ​Added,​ ​Smucker's​ ​Sugar​ ​Free,​ ​Heinz​ ​Reduced​ ​Sugar​ ​Ketchup

Tagatose

​90%​ ​as​ ​sweet​ ​as​ ​sugar​ ​and​ ​provides​ ​1⁄3​ ​of​ ​the​ ​calories​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​fructose.​​ ​​It​ ​is​ ​a synthetic​ ​additive​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​fructose​ ​that​ ​occurs​ ​naturally​ ​but​ ​is​ ​also​ ​manufactured​ ​from​ ​lactose​ ​in dairy​ ​products.​ ​ It​ ​can​ ​be​ ​found​ ​under​ ​brand​ ​names​ ​such​ ​as​ ​Nutrilatose​ ​and​ ​NuNatural's​ ​PreSweets. Foods​ ​containing​ ​tagatose​ ​can't​ ​be​ ​labeled​ ​as​ ​"sugar-free."​ ​It's​ ​not​ ​very​ ​common​ ​in​ ​packaged​ ​foods.

eating novel sweeteners in excess causes:

​Eating​ ​novel​ ​sweeteners​ ​in​ ​excess​ ​is​ ​known​ ​to​ ​cause​ ​flatulence,​ ​bloating,​ ​stomach cramps,​ ​and​ ​diarrhea.

low blood sugar effects on the body

​Low​ ​blood​ ​sugar​ ​not​ ​only​ ​causes shakiness,​ ​dizziness,​ ​sweating​ ​and​ ​headaches​ ​but​ ​it​ ​can​ ​also​ ​be​ ​dangerous,​ ​even​ ​life-threatening.​ ​If your​ ​blood​ ​sugar​ ​drops​ ​too​ ​low,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​lose​ ​consciousness​ ​altogether.​ ​ The​ ​way​ ​to​ ​play​ ​it​ ​safe​ ​is eating​ ​small​ ​amounts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​real​ ​deal​ ​(sugar),​ ​and​ ​don't​ ​try​ ​to​ ​trick​ ​your​ ​body.

sugar alcohols vs artificial sweeteners

​Sugar​ ​alcohols​ ​are​ ​derived​ ​from​ ​sugar,​ ​contain​ ​some​ ​calories, and​ ​have​ ​a​ ​different​ ​chemical​ ​structure​ ​from​ ​sugar​ ​that​ ​alters​ ​the​ ​way​ ​the​ ​body​ ​metabolizes​ ​them. artificial​ ​sweeteners​ ​are​ ​chemically​ ​produced​ ​compounds​ ​(not​ ​derived​ ​from​ ​sugar)​ ​that contain​ ​zero​ ​calories.​ ​

They​ ​don't​ ​allow​ ​your​ ​body​ ​to​ ​"count"​ ​calories​ ​properly.​​ ​

​These​ ​sweeteners​ ​disturb​ ​the​ ​body's ability​ ​to​ ​"count"​ ​or​ ​recognize​ ​calories.​ ​They​ ​can​ ​disrupt​ ​your​ ​hormones​ ​and​ ​ultimately​ ​lead​ ​to​ ​a domino​ ​effect​ ​that​ ​increases​ ​desire​ ​for​ ​sugar​ ​and​ ​weight​ ​gain.​ ​With​ ​weight​ ​gain​ ​comes​ ​the​ ​risk​ ​of obesity​ ​along​ ​with​ ​other​ ​co-morbidities​ ​like​ ​diabetes​ ​and​ ​cardiovascular​ ​disease.

products that contain forms of stevia

​Trop50​ ​orange​ ​juice,​ ​Honest​ ​Fizz,​ ​Coca​ ​Cola​ ​Life,​ ​Dannon​ ​Oikos​ ​Triple Zero​ ​Yogurt,​ ​Chobani​ ​Simply​ ​100

Fructo-oligosaccharide​​ ​(FOS)​

​about​ ​30-50%​ ​as​ ​sweet​ ​as​ ​sugar.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​class​ ​of​ ​non-digestible, low-calorie​ ​ingredients​ ​that​ ​are​ ​manufactured​ ​by​ ​fragmenting​ ​a​ ​large​ ​molecule​ ​called​ ​inulin.​ ​ Inulin​ ​is a​ ​polysaccharide​ ​that​ ​occurs​ ​naturally​ ​in​ ​chicory,​ ​Jerusalem​ ​artichokes,​ ​wheat,​ ​onions,​ ​and​ ​bananas. On​ ​top​ ​of​ ​being​ ​used​ ​in​ ​sweet​ ​applications,​ ​it​ ​has​ ​also​ ​been​ ​approved​ ​for​ ​use​ ​as​ ​a​ ​binder​ ​and stabilizer​ ​in​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​meat​ ​and​ ​poultry​ ​products.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​known​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​Steviva​ ​brand​ ​product​ ​but otherwise​ ​is​ ​commonly​ ​sold​ ​under​ ​its​ ​own​ ​name.

saccharin

​first​ ​artificial​ ​sweetener​ ​to​ ​ever​ ​be​ ​made.​ ​​ It​ ​is​ ​300​ ​to​ ​500​ ​times​ ​sweeter​ ​than sugar​ ​and​ ​is​ ​marketed​ ​as​ ​Sweet'N​ ​Low​ ​(the​ ​pink​ ​packets),​ ​Sweet​ ​Twin,​ ​Necta​ ​Sweet,​ ​and​ ​​Equal Saccharin.​ ​It's​ ​less​ ​abundant​ ​in​ ​processed​ ​foods​ ​than​ ​other​ ​artificial​ ​sweeteners​ ​but​ ​some​ ​products still​ ​have​ ​it. Products:​ ​Toothpastes,​ ​baked​ ​goods,​ ​fountain​ ​sodas​ ​and​ ​low​ ​carb​ ​bars

Green Leaf Stevia

​least​ ​processed​ ​form​ ​and​ ​is​ ​made​ ​from​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​stevia​ ​leaf,​ ​containing both​ ​stevioside​ ​and​ ​rebaudioside​ ​compounds.​ ​ The​ ​leaves​ ​can​ ​be​ ​dried​ ​and​ ​ground​ ​into​ ​powder form.​ ​Though​ ​used​ ​in​ ​other​ ​countries,​ ​whole​ ​stevia​ ​leaves​ ​are​ ​not​ ​classified​ ​as​ ​GRAS​ ​by​ ​FDA​ ​and due​ ​to​ ​the​ ​presence​ ​of​ ​the​ ​stevioside​ ​compound,​ ​they​ ​have​ ​a​ ​slightly​ ​bitter​ ​aftertaste.

aspartame

​most​ ​common​ ​artificial​ ​sweetener​ ​and​ ​is​ ​200​ ​times​ ​sweeter​ ​than​ ​table​ ​sugar.​ ​ It​ ​is marketed​ ​as​ ​Equal​ ​or​ ​NutraSweet​ ​(the​ ​blue​ ​packets). Products:​ ​Diet​ ​Coke,​ ​Diet​ ​Pepsi,​ ​Diet​ ​Dr.​ ​Pepper,​ ​Diet​ ​Snapple​ ​Iced​ ​Tea

sugar alcohols (polyols)

​naturally​ ​occurring​ ​compounds​ ​found​ ​in​ ​plant​ ​foods​ ​like​ ​fruits​ ​and vegetables​ ​but​ ​they​ ​can​ ​also​ ​be​ ​commercially​ ​produced​ ​from​ ​other​ ​forms​ ​of​ ​sugar.​ ​ ​ ​Look​ ​out​ ​for ingredients​ ​that​ ​end​ ​in​ ​"-tol"​ ​(this​ ​suffix​ ​denotes​ ​the​ ​ingredient​ ​is​ ​a​ ​sugar​ ​alcohol).

for added sweetness, which sugars are the best choices?

​pure​ ​honey,​ ​maple​ ​syrup​ ​and​ ​coconut​ ​sugar​ ​in​ ​very small​ ​amounts.​ ​

They​ ​distort​ ​your​ ​natural​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​taste.​

​​They​ ​are​​ ​​manufactured​ ​to​ ​be​ ​up​ ​to​ ​700​ ​times​ ​sweeter than​ ​pure​ ​sugar,​​ ​​so​​ ​​after​ ​regular​ ​consumption​ ​of​ ​these​ ​products,​ ​it​ ​becomes​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​detect​ ​sweetness from​ ​other​ ​natural​ ​foods.​ ​After​ ​too​ ​much​ ​sweetener​ ​you​ ​lose​ ​your​ ​appreciation​ ​for​ ​the​ ​true​ ​taste​ ​of real​ ​foods​ ​and​ ​you​ ​start​ ​to​ ​depend​ ​on​ ​artificial​ ​sweeteners​ ​for​ ​taste​ ​(we​ ​all​ ​know​ ​clients​ ​who​ ​carry packs​ ​of​ ​sweetener​ ​in​ ​their​ ​purses).