Sugar substitutes, sometimes called “non-nutritive sweeteners,” are added to many food products during manufacturing such as diet sodas, diet drinks, sugarless chewing gum, light yogurt, frozen desserts and baked goods. In addition, people use substitutes instead of sugar at the table.

Sugar substitutes have no calories and don’t provide the body with energy. Therefore, they can be helpful in reducing the amount of sugar and calories in the diet and may assist in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Sugar substitutes can also help those with Diabetes satisfy their taste for sweets without affecting blood sugar levels. Listed below are three of the most commonly available sugar substitutes. The table can be used as a guide to help you choose which one is right for you.

Brand name	Generic Name	Sweetness compared to sugar	Baking Substitution Ratio	Heating/ Cooking
Equal, Nutrasweet	Aspartame	160-220 times sweeter than sugar	Equal Spoonful* can be used measure for measure in place of sugar	Loses sweetening power when heated.
Splenda	Sucralose	600 times sweeter than sugar	Splenda Granular* can be used measure for measure in place sugar	Sweetening power is not reduced when heated.
Sweet N’ Low, Sweet Twin	Saccharin	200-700 times sweeter than sugar	Decrease sugar in recipe by ½ and then follow instructions on the box.	Sweetening power is not reduced when heated.

*Equal Spoonful and Splenda Granular is the bulk form and can be found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.