Cooking With Splenda Vs. Sugar

Is there a difference if you cook with Splenda instead of sugar?

Mayo Clinic.com reports that sugar consumption is on the rise, and it is taking its toll on the health of many people. Artificial sweeteners such as Splenda provide a low-calorie way for people to enjoy their food with less guilt.

Features

The artificial sweetener Splenda, according to Splenda.com, is sucralose, which begins as sugar and is converted to the no-calorie product. Splenda bakes and cooks like sugar with the exception of the calories that accompany sugar. According to Sugar.com, one teaspoon of sugar is 15 calories.

Function

Splenda and sugar can be used to cook and bake, and like sugar, Splenda is available in packets for sweetening coffees and teas. According to Splenda.com, Splenda pours and measures like sugar, so virtually any recipe that calls for sugar can be sweetened with Splenda without the calories from sugar.

The Facts

Sugar is a natural sweetener and Splenda is an artificial, no-calorie sweetener. Splenda offers additional products such as a brown sugar blend for baking which if used would not measure the same as sugar. Depending on the need or preference of the person cooking, baking, or eating, Splenda or sugar can be used in food preparation.

References

• MayoClinic.com: Artificial sweeteners: Understanding these and other sugar substitutes
• Splenda: Splenda Products FAQ
• Splenda: Cooking and Baking With Splenda
• The Sugar Association: Just 15 Calories a Teaspoon!