Low Carb Sugar Substitutes

Sugar substitutes are compounds used as an alternative to sugar to sweeten various products. There are a number of different sugar substitutes available in the United States, each with its own level of sweetness. Sugar substitutes are often low-carbohydrate and contain little to no calories. They are usually used for those who are attempting to lose weight or diabetics who need to control blood glucose levels.

Aspartame

Aspartame is a sugar substitute made up of two amino acids called aspartic acid and phenylalanine. In addition to having a low amount of carbohydrates, aspartame is also low in calories. The sugar substitute is approximately 200 times sweeter than regular sugar. Aspartame is used as a sweetener in a variety of food items, including yogurt, chewing gum and diet soft drinks. Aspartame is heat-sensitive and cannot be used for baking because the heat destroys its structure and sweetness. Aspartame is often known by the brand names Equal and Nutrasweet.

Saccharin

Saccharin is one of the pioneer low-carbohydrate sugar substitutes and, according to "Nutrition and You" by Joan Salge Blake, was discovered in 1879. Depending on the way it is used, the sweetness of saccharin can range from 200 to 700 times sweeter than regular sugar. Saccharin is heat-resistant, so it can be used as a substitute for sugar during baking. The sugar substitute is also often used in canned fruit, baked goods, chewing gum and soft drinks. The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that saccharin can give an unpleasant aftertaste, so it is often used in conjunction with other artificial sweeteners. The brand names of saccharin are Sweet'N Low and Sweet Twin.

Acesulfame K

Acesulfame K is also referred to as acesulfame potassium. This sugar substitute contains zero calories and is 200 times sweeter than regular sugar. Acesulfame K is often found in commercially baked diet products as well as sugar-free medications. The sugar substitute is heat-resistant, so it can be used successfully for baking. The brand names of acesulfame K are Sunett and Sweet One.

Sucralose

Sucralose is a low-carbohydrate sugar substitute that also contains zero calories. Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than regular sugar and does not give an aftertaste in most people. Sucralose is the most heat-resistant of all of the sugar substitutes, so it is the preferred baking substitute for sugar. The body digests only a small amount of sucralose, so it doesn't affect blood sugar or triglyceride levels, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Stevia

Stevia is a natural sugar substitute obtained from a South American plant called Stevia rebaudiana. The sweetness in stevia is extracted from certain components of the plant's leaves. Stevia is 250 to 300 times sweeter than regular sugar. Stevia is found in a variety of foods and is also stable for baking. The brand names of stevia are Truvia, PureVia and SweetLeaf.