ASPARTAME FOODINSIGHT.ORG

WHY WOULD I USE HOW SHOULD I USE IT? unable to process phenylalanine. This is why foods and drinks with aspartame A LOW-CALORIE Many of your favorite foods and have information on the label about SWEETENER? drinks come in lower-calorie versions the presence of phenylalanine. Almost everyone likes sweet taste. that might contain aspartame. Low- In fact, we’re born liking it. But sweet calorie sweeteners also come in small foods and drinks can add extra calories individual packets that are portioned IF I’M TRYING TO to our diet, which isn’t always kind to to provide about the same level of LOSE WEIGHT, WILL our waistlines. Low-calorie sweeteners sweetness as two teaspoons of sugar. ASPARTAME HELP? provide sweetness without adding You may have noticed these packets at If you’re trying to lose weight or calories. Choosing lower-calorie restaurants or coffee shops. Aspartame just maintain your current weight, versions of your favorite foods and is typically found in the blue packets. aspartame is a tool that can help. It’s drinks or sweetening your coffee or tea Aspartame loses its sweetness at important to know that aspartame with a low-calorie sweetener instead high temperatures. If you’re a baker and and other low-calorie sweeteners do of sugar are two ways to cut back on are looking to reduce the sugar and not have magical powers—they do not calories and sugar. calories in your creations, aspartame “cause” weight loss. While it’s true that low-calorie sweeteners can help you may not be the best choice for baking. consume fewer calories, successful WHAT IS ASPARTAME? weight strategies don’t rely on them SHOULD I AVOID alone. You’re more likely to reach Aspartame is a type of low-calorie ASPARTAME? sweetener. It’s produced from two your weight goals by incorporating common amino acids—aspartic acid Aspartame was approved by the low-calorie sweeteners into a healthy and phenylalanine, each of which are U.S. Food and Drug Administration routine that includes many positive found naturally in many foods including in 1981. It’s been proven safe for behaviors, such as improving your diet, fruits, vegetables, meats and eggs. everyone from children to pregnant and getting enough exercise and sleep and sharing goals with friends and family to Aspartame contains calories—four breastfeeding women. Like other low- help you stay motivated. calories per gram just like sugar. But calorie sweeteners, it’s also an option for aspartame is 200 times sweeter than people with diabetes because it offers sugar, so very little is needed to provide sweetness without raising blood sugar. THE BOTTOM LINE the same sweetness. Therefore, only People with a rare genetic disease called We all love to eat and staying at a small amount is used to sweeten phenylketonuria (PKU) need to be aware a healthy weight can be challenging. chewing gum, drinks, yogurt and that aspartame contains phenylalanine Aspartame is safe and can be an pharmaceuticals, helping to keep calories (an amino acid found in aspartame and effective option to help control the from aspartame very low per serving. many common foods) because they are amount of sugar and calories we eat.