Sweetners

Better buys

• Aspartame – Equal, Sweet 'n Drink, Sprinkle powder or tablets.
• Saccharine and cyclamate – Sucaryl or Sugromax liquid or tablets.
• Sucralose – Splenda powder.

To find out more about aspartame visit: http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/consumers/chemicals-nutrients-additives-and-toxins/aspartame/

Good to know

• The sweeteners listed above will make no difference to blood glucose levels or weight.
• Sweeteners may be referred to as code numbers:
  • Aspartame 951
  • Cyclamate 952
  • Saccharin 954
  • Sucralose 955

Watch points

• Aspartame sweeteners lose their sweetness when heated.
• Aspartame and sucralose sweeteners are the only sweeteners recommended during pregnancy.
• Sweeteners such as sorbitol or fructose (found in some jams and 'diabetic sweets') can cause stomach cramps and diarrhoea if eaten in large amounts.