Sugar Substitutes Without Phenylalanine

You may include sugar substitutes in your daily diet to reduce your carbohydrate and calorie intake. Manufacturers use different types of sugar substitutes to sweeten a broad array of sugar-free and reduced-calorie foods and beverages. A few sugar substitutes contain the amino acid phenylalanine, which accumulates to toxic levels in patients with the inherited condition phenylketonuria. If you have phenylketonuria or concerns about phenyalanine-containing sweeteners, look for the several types of sugar substitutes on the market that do not contain this amino acid.

Saccharin

When you reach for a packet of tabletop sweetener, you may be adding saccharin to your beverage. First discovered more than 100 years ago, according to Elmhurst College's Virtual Chembook, saccharin is a noncaloric, phenylalanine-free sugar substitute. Laboratory studies conducted with rats during the 1970s linked high doses of saccharin with an increased rate of bladder cancer in the animals. Subsequent studies found no evidence that saccharin poses a bladder cancer risk in humans, reports the National Cancer Institute. As of 2000, saccharin is no longer listed as a cancer-causing agent in the "Report on Carcinogens" from the U.S. National Toxicology Program.

Acesulfame Potassium

If you buy reduced-sugar products, some are likely to contain acesulfame potassium, also known as acesulfame K. This noncaloric, sugar substitute, which has a chemical structure similar to saccharin, does not contain phenylalanine. The International Food Information Council Foundation, however, notes that acesulfame K is sometimes used with other artificial sweeteners that do contain phenylalanine, such as aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria, always check for the phenylalanine warning listed with the ingredients on food and beverage labels.

Sucralose

Sugar-free and reduced calorie products you buy may contain the noncaloric sugar substitute sucralose, a chemically-altered version of table sugar. Sucralose is used to sweeten a variety of products, including cereals, reduced-calorie desserts, low-calorie yogurts, diet soft drinks and low-calorie nutrition bars. Because sucralose does not break down when heated, you can use it for cooking and baking.

Sugar Alcohols

Sugar alcohols, or polyols, occur naturally in some types of fruit. These sweet chemicals --- which do not contain the intoxicating substance found in alcoholic beverages --- are added to certain reduced-calorie products, including breath mints, hard candies, baked goods and soft drinks. Be aware that sugar alcohols have fewer calories than regular sugar, but they are not noncaloric. Yale-New Haven Hospital reports that sugar alcohols, such as xylitol, mannitol, maltitol and sorbitol, contain 1.5 to 3.0 calories per gram, compared to 4.0 calories per gram of table sugar. Sugar alcohols do not contain phenylalanine.