Transcript Sugar Substitute - 2009portfolioduncan

Sugar Substitutes
Esther White, MS, RD, LD
What is a Sugar Substitute?
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A food additive that duplicates the effect of
sugar in taste
Usually has fewer calories than sugar
Those that are not found in nature are called
artificial sweeteners
Because the substitutes are much sweeter
than sugar, it takes a smaller quantity to
create the same sweetness
What is Sugar?
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Refers to sucrose or table sugar
Comes from sugar beets or sugar cane
Each teaspoon (or packet) has 15 calories
Does not contain any preservatives or
additives
Is not chemically altered or bleached during
the processing
Sugar
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Brown sugar contains molasses, which adds
color and flavor
Sugar is used in many different ways such as
baking, cooking, in sodas, candies, and other
food items
Types of Artificial Sweeteners
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These are the common types of artificial
sweeteners found is the US today:
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Saccharin
Aspartame
Sucralose
Neotame
Acesulfame K
Stevia
Sun Crystals
Sugar alcohols
Reasons for Using Sugar
Substitutes
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Weight loss
Less tooth decay
Help to control Diabetes
Saccharin
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Sweet ‘N Low
Is 300 to 500 times as sweet as sugar
Can have a bitter after taste and is often
blended with other sweeteners to lessen
Is not heat stable and is not appropriate for
cooking
Calories per packet = 4
Aspartame
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Equal
200 times as sweet as sugar
Does not have a bitter taste, but does not
taste as similar to sugar as saccharine
Breaks down with high heat, so is not suitable
for baking
Calories per packet = 4
Sucralose
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Splenda
600 times sweeter than sugar
Is chlorinated sugar
Is suitable baking and frying because it is
heat stable
Calories per packet = 0
Neotame
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Made by NutraSweet
7,000 – 13,000 times sweeter than sugar
Used more for manufacturing use rather than
consumer use
Is extremely potent so only a trace amount is
needed
Acesulfame K
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Sweet One
180-200 times sweeter than sugar
Has a slightly bitter aftertaste
Is heat stable so suitable for baking
Calories per packet = 0
Stevia
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Stevia is a plant
Its extracts are used as a sugar subsitite
Rebiana, Truvia, PureVia are names for the
brands available in the store
Heat stable so can bake
Calories per packet = 0
Stevia - Truvia
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One packet of Truvia provides the same
sweetness as two teaspoons of sugar
May be a better alternative for those who
prefer a “natural” alterative to sugar
Stevia – PureVia
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Simular to Truvia
Both have slightly different ingredients but
produce the same effect
Sun Crystals
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All-natural sweetener made from a blend of
sugar cane and stevia
One packet has the same sweetness and two
teaspoons of sugar, but with only 5 calories
Heat stable and can be used in most recipes
Comes in a finer form (packet) or in the
granulated form
Sugar Alcohols
Usually end in –ol, such as Xylitol, Sorbitol,
Mannitol
 Not as sweet as sucrose
 Provide fewer calories than sugar
 Cannot be used by oral bacteria, so does not
promote tooth decay
 Overconsumption can lead to
diarrhea, bloating and flatulence
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The Controversy
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Scientists speculate that artificial substitutes
may actually contribute to obesity
People often think of foods containing these
substitutes as low calorie or low fat when
they often are not
Also, by consuming a calorie free soda, you
might be more inclined to eat something with
it and increase your calories
The Controversy
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Some scientists believe that sweet tastes
prompt the body’s digestive system to get
ready to process caloric food. But when the
calories don’t arrive because the sweetness
was artificial, the body learns not to crank up
the metabolic furnace. Over time that
adjustment makes it harder to burn calories
and shed weight.
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- LA Times
The Controversy
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Researchers say artificial sweeteners may
interfere with the body's natural ability to
count calories based on a food's sweetness
and make people prone to overindulging in
other sweet foods and beverages.
Conclusion
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Just removing sugar from cookies and chocolates
doesn't make them low-calorie, low-fat foods. If you
eat too many, you'll still get more calories than you
may need, and you may not get enough nutritious
foods. Unlike fruits, vegetables and whole grains,
sugar-free soft drinks, candy and desserts often
provide few — if any — beneficial nutrients.
Use artificial sweeteners sensibly. It's OK to
substitute a diet soda for a regular soda, for
example, but diet soda shouldn't be the only
beverage you drink.