Artificial sweeteners, which are also called "non-nutritive sweeteners," add sweetness to many foods and beverages without adding any calories or nutrition. They are well-known ingredients in diet sodas and snacks, and some are easily identified in little colorful packets alongside sugar in your favorite coffee shop or restaurant.
Saccharin
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Saccharin is still found in a few brands of diet soda, but it is not as popular as it used to be. Now saccharin is most commonly found in little pink packets of Sweet'N Low.
Aspartame
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Aspartame replaced saccharin as a popular artificial sweetener, because it doesn't have quite as strong of an aftertaste. You can find aspartame in most diet sodas and in the little blue packets of Equal.
Sucralose
Photo © Mario Tama/Getty Images
Sucralose is similar in structure to regular sugar, but your body absorbs very little of this artificial sweetener. It is increasing in popularity due to the clean sweet taste. Sucralose is best recognized in little yellow packets of Splenda.
Acesulfame-K
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Acesulfame-K is not as popular as sucralose or aspartame; however, you can find it in many of the same products. The K stands for potassium, although it doesn't add any extra potassium to your diet.
Neotame
Photo © Bruno Neves
Neotame is fairly new and not as well known as aspartame, although it is very similar in structure. Neotame may become a popular artificial sweetener and flavor enhancer for soft drinks and chewing gum.
