Ask The Expert
Eating Well

No. Artificial sweeteners are called "free foods" because they have virtually no calories and they will not raise your blood glucose. Free foods are defined as having 20 calories or less. We’ve come along way since the days when the only choice was saccharine. There are now several artificial sweeteners available on the market; they have all been tested extensively, are approved by the FDA, and have the endorsement of the American Diabetes Association and American Dietetic Association.

Because individual tastes vary, it is worth trying each of these to see which ones are most suitable for you. Also note that some sweeteners can be used in cooking, while others lose their sweetening properties when exposed to high temperatures.

A note of caution: Sugar alcohols are not the same as artificial sweeteners, and you do need to consider the carbohydrate content. You can learn more about these from the references at the end of this answer.

Fortunately, helpful information is available from reputable websites, as well as recipes and further information from each artificial sweetener’s website.

Finally, since individual responses can vary, be sure to consult your diabetes team to see if artificial sweeteners are right for you.