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| Let’s start with some facts: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults consume no more than 10% of their daily calories from added sugar. So, if you eat 2,000 calories a day, you’ll want to aim for 200 calories (or fewer) of added sugar. That’s because eating foods high in added sugars increases the risk of health concerns like weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and dental issues. |
| Artificial sweeteners don’t raise blood sugar levels or add many, if any, extra calories, making them a popular option if you’re looking to cut back on added sugar. Today, Annie Hibbs, a registered dietitian, gives us some helpful background on these substances. |
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Eat up,
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline |
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Written by Ginger Wojcik
November 21, 2024 • 3 min read |
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| Q: |
Are artificial sweeteners actually healthier? |
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| A: |
While artificial sweeteners are considered safe for human consumption, they may not be as beneficial as once believed. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued new guidelines in 2023, recommending that people not rely on artificial sweeteners for weight loss or management and concluding that artificial sweeteners don’t contribute enough to body fat reduction in the long term to justify the potential risks. Regularly eating sugar substitutes, which are often far sweeter than sugar, may also increase food cravings and alter our taste buds to expect things to be sweeter.
You may need to limit or avoid sugar substitutes if you:
As with everything, mix it up and add variety to what you’re drinking and eating. Instead of ditching sugar completely and eating only foods with sugar substitutes, try adding more naturally sugar-free or lower in added sugar foods and beverages into your diet. Swap that Diet Coke for a sugar-free iced tea, or reach for the fruit next time you want a treat.
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| Annie Hibbs, Registered Dietitian
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| Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we'll look into it for you! (Heads up, we may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.)
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| Ice cold |
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| Excnorm 3-Pack Silicone Ice Cube Trays |
| I’m always experimenting with creative ways to make treats for myself without added sugar. One thing I like to do is create fruity ice cubes, which I then add to a glass of sparkling water. These large silicone trays are perfect because they can hold a lot of fruit, and the large cubes don’t melt very quickly in my drink. Even if you don’t want to make fruity ice cubes, I still highly suggest these easy-to-use silicone trays for frozen blocks that smoothly pop out. |
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| Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline’s or Optum Store’s vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. |
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| Sponsored by |
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| What we’re digesting |
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