It’s horrible: I’m a dietitian and I have a sweet tooth the size of the four massive wisdom teeth that were extracted when I was in college. For Christmas my husband always gives me one gift that he knows I’ll be 100% happy with: Swedish fish, Australian black licorice, or some other gooey, sticky, bad-for-my-teeth (and waistline) sweet.
Despite my unhealthy vice, I long avoided sugar substitutes (i.e., Equal, NutraSweet, Sweet‘N Low) because they left an unpleasant aftertaste. I would rather have regular sugar or honey, and at 16 calories a teaspoon, I could enjoy my a.m. coffee or tea with the extra 50 calories of sweet bliss. That is, until I met Splenda nearly a decade ago—which I like to refer to as B.S. (Before Splenda). And I have to say, we have enjoyed a committed relationship ever since. But lately I’ve been wondering whether this love affair is really that good for me.
Splenda: My One and Only?
Splenda (aka sucralose) was OK’d for use in the U.S. in 1998. I was introduced to Splenda at a pre-market tasting at a trade show. It was love at first bite. I even begged the corporate folks to send me the product before it was available on supermarket shelves. They gave in, the Splenda was shipped, and my addiction began.
Today I can’t drink a cup of tea or coffee without one or two packets of Splenda. I even travel with it. It’s so bad that I will skip my morning tea if I don’t have Splenda.
In 1998 Splenda was deemed safe. But as I have been getting asked a lot about alternatives to Splenda that are considered natural sugar substitutes, such as stevia and sugar alcohols, I thought I should see what other experts think of Splenda, and if there is a better sugar substitute out there for me.
Science’s Take on Splenda
My first call was to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a D.C.–based watchdog group that rarely has anything good to say about what we eat and drink. I was sure that they’d tell me Splenda-eaters were killing themselves. However, David Schardt, a senior nutritionist there, told me that, “according to CSPI’s review of the science, there appear to be no safety issues with Splenda. We were critical about their ‘made from sugar’ claims, but see no safety issues with it.” Whew.
Still, since there are a bunch of new natural sugar substitutes out on the market, including a few that are organic, I’m curious to give them a try and see how they stack up to Splenda. Tune in next week for the results.
Comments (11)
I love splenda! My daughter in law just had a cookie exchange and I made my snickerdoodles with it and they were great! I always use it in my coffee and tea (I have to walk downstairs to get my packets because I always forget it when I have dinner at my son’s – I live downstairs) I haven’t used regular sugar in years.
Interesting, you will see from next week’s blog that I’m still too nervous to try to bake with Splenda, but I do have the Splenda Blend baking product that is half sugar/half Splenda so I’m tempted to try some Christmas cookies with it.
I am a 43 man and allergic to splenda. I get severe headaches that can last two days. I get this same effect from it’s big brother aspratame. I do not get headaches other wise, meaning years between headaches. the last time was when I ate some cookies at work and got a head ache, I asked to see the package and is was diet, Peperage farms. there was a number on the back for customer questions, I called and told them my situation and they said they have a form (this is the first person I talk to) to send me if I need to go to the emergency room because of this, it happens all the time!! I only had one cookie, if I ate several I would have been asking to be put unconches. Thats my experience with splenda.
Splenda is not safe for everyone. Not to mention that it may not be safe for Anyone. No one knows for sure yet. The drug n’ food industry are making millions off products such as these. Do you honestly think they’re going to tell the truth? My advice, stay natural! It’s the best thing for your body on every level. Here’s a good read if you ever want to learn more: http://www.womentowomen.com/nutritionandweightloss/splenda.aspx
I was told that splenda can give you cancer. Is this true?
Yesterday I was told by a resident in my community whose sister has diabetes and heart problems, and who was rushed to the hospital with heart ‘fluctuations,’ was told by her doctor that Splenda is ‘poison,’ and can ‘ruin your kidneys, your heart, your brain, etc.’ As a dedicated user of Splenda, can you tell me if there’s any truth to this? Why would a doctor give out this kind of information?
Hi Everyone!
I truly enjoy your comments,shows you are concerned about your bodies,and that is ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA .
My feelings on the Splenda thing is this: as I have a sweet tooth the size of Alaska ( it’s bigger than Texas) and a weight issue, i use splenda based products often. i have weaned myself off sugar,and lost 43 pounds so far. I have only 50 to go to be at my doctor’s idea of a healthful weight.
As is the case in most things : MODERATION is the answer. I feel there is a place for artificial sweeteners,as well as natural alternatives like stevia,agave nectar,and even VERY LIMITED AMOUNTS ofsugar.
But I TRULY believe too much of ANYTHING is not good for us.
I DO KNOW that without splenda,and aspartame,I would still weigh 250 pounds! At 5′1″…that was way too much. I have steadily lost weight,and intend to keep doing so,and am sure that the ability to enjoy sweets without sugar’s calories is a major reason I am doing well,weight loss wise.
I am 59 yrs. old,with no sign of clogged arteries ( I NEVER EAT RED MEATS… I AM MORTALLY ALLERGIC TO BEEF! )my BP is 116/70,my cholesterol is 179 (HDL=61 ), NO signs of any diabetes, and I am otherwise healthy.
Did the artificial sweeteners help ? YES! I even use them to bake,but be aware that you get less volume ( i.e. fewer cookies per batch ) witout the bulk added by regular sugar. Things also do not get brown as much. AND it takes about 1/2-3/4 the amount of sugar,when using these products.
THERE IS AVAILABLE FROM EQUAL,A COOK BOOKLET,WHICH IS FREE,TO HELP YOU WHEN COOKING OR BAKING. JUST GO TO http://WWW.EQUAL.COM,OR CALL THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER ON THE BOX,IF YOU HAVE NO COMPUTER ACCESS.
Best wishes for a healthy you,whichever way you choose to maintain it. GOD BLES!
there’s a new stevia brand out, its called sweet one, and its pretty good. i too love splenda, but tey say it actually makes you eat more because your’e not really getting the sugar and your brain seems to know this, something about calories, and sugar i think. anyway, try the new stevia product.. sweet one..
If you think Splenda is safe, you should check out Dr. Mercola’s site:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/08/23/splenda-part-one.aspx
I’d read about Splenda on the Mercola site, but I can’t seem to get past the HUGE ghastly pop-up window selling subscriptions to his stuff. Not impressed.
I too like Splenda, but not in all products. Some are just too sweet. I’m not usually a soda drinker as it’s just too much sugar, but I do like a Coke now and then. I started drinking Cole with Splenda a couple of years ago and liked it a lot!! However, now you can’t get it anywhere. Why did they stop making it with Splenda and switch to the new stuff?