Artificial sweeteners often have a weird aftertaste or suspect ingredients. One alternative is stevia, a calorie-free sweetener extracted from a sweet herb grown in South America. But until recently, there were questions about whether stevia was safe, and the varieties I've tried have a different kind of weird aftertaste — not chemical or artificial, but sort of herbal, almost like anise. I Read more

This one goes out to all the stevia lovers. The stevia-based sweetener Truvia is now for sale online. Previously, other stevia sweeteners have been labeled as "dietary supplements," but Truvia has the distinction of being known as a zero-calorie sweetener. Because it is derived from an herb, it is considered "natural." I am not sure how I feel about that label. Developed by Cargill in Read more

I have a huge sweet tooth and I'm not afraid to admit it. I tend to go for treats made with real sugar, but I know many people watching their calorie intake like to go for sugar substitutes (so they can have their cake and not wear it too). There are so many artificial sweeteners out there, it's hard to keep them straight. Here's a list of some of the most popular ones. Type of Artificial Read more

If you're a fan of artificial sweeteners for weight loss then you may want to rethink it before you tear open a packet. New research has found that saccharin altered the ability of rats to control their appetites. Why? Well apparently it is based on the subconscious. For most of us, a sweet taste is a sign that calories are on their way. The problem comes in when sweetness is not followed by Read more

A while back, I told you the odd news that diet soda can make you fat. Nine months ago, the researchers did not know why there was a connection between pounds gained and diet soda consumed. Now new research indicates the cause is that your gut can't tell the difference between real sugar and artificial sweetener. Our intestines actually have taste receptors for the sweetness of glucose. Read more