Artificial sweeteners and type 1 diabetes
Foods and drinks that use artificial sweeteners give you more choices when eating or drinking something sweet.
The artificial sweeteners listed have been tested and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as “generally regarded as safe” (GRAS). GRAS means experts have agreed that it is safe for use in moderation.
Many foods with artificial sweeteners may still have carbohydrate. Always check the label.
Non-nutritive sweeteners
Carbohydrate and calorie-free alternatives to sugar are:
- Acesulfame potassium (AKA-Acesulfame K)
- Aspartame
- Saccharin
- Stevia
- Sucralose
- Neotame
Be aware of products that may have additional carbohydrates or sugar alcohols. Always read the nutrition label and count any carbohydrate listed.
- Stevia in the Raw (dextrose)
- Truvia/PureVia (erythritol)
- Truvia baking blend (erythritol and sugar)
- Splenda sugar blend (sugar)
- Splenda brown sugar blend (sugar and molasses)
| Sweetener name | Brand names found in stores |
|---|---|
| Acesulfame potassium | Sunett, Sweet One |
| Aspartame | NutraSweet, Equal |
| Neotame | n/a |
| Saccharin | Sweet 'N Low, Sweet Twin, Sugar Twin |
| Sucralose | Splenda |
| Stevia/Rebaudioside A | A Sweet Leaf, Sun Crystals, Stevia, Truvia, PureVia |
Sugar alcohols
Some sugar alcohols are:
- Erythritol
- Mannitol
- Sorbitol
- Xylitol
Sugar alcohols:
- Have fewer calories and less of an effect on blood sugar than sugar
- Are not completely carbohydrate free
- May cause gas, cramping, and diarrhea in some people