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BY KAREN GENINATTI
I often get asked what my view is on the artificial sweetener Splenda.
I do use it but also think that we do not know what effects may come from it in years to come, so I think it is best to limit it. I do try to go more for the Truvia, Stevia and Purvia, which are not artificial.
The good thing about using Splenda in recipes is that it can be exchanged cup for cup for real sugar. Stevia extract, in the raw, which is sold loose and not in a packet, can also be exchanged cup for cup in recipes, but not all stevia forms can be. It can have a bitter taste if you use too much of it.
Splenda is in so many things we eat, not in just the packets of it we might add to things.
Even though we do not know what effects Splenda may cause, we do know that sugar is not good for us. But, it is natural you say? Yes, but so is tobacco.
Many of my recipes call for Splenda because the caloric savings from using it are huge. Not to suggest that Splenda is calorie free, as the lable might suggest. Remember, if a food has less than .5 grams of fat per serving, it can be listed as 0 fat grams on the lable? Same goes for Splenda and the calories. A cup of Splenda has close to 100 calories, but when compared to 775 calories in a cup of sugar, the caloric savings is huge.
Bottom line, neither sugar or Splenda provides us with any nutritional value, but if you are looking to reduce you sugar and caloric intake, Splenda can do that.
As with anything, moderation is the key.
Karen Geninatti is a personal trainer, certified lifestyle and weight-management consultant, anti-aging specialist, sports nutrition consultant and owner of Geninatti Gym.
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