Artificial Sweeteners using Aspartame

If you're looking for a low calorie alternative to sugar, there are numerous options available. One of the most widely used artificial sweeteners is aspartame and as such, is commonly found in a wide variety of reduced calorie food and beverages as well as low calorie sweeteners.

Aspartame has a similar taste to sugar but is approximately 200 times sweeter. It has less than four calories per teaspoon and is digested by the body as a protein. It’s not heat stable as it can lose  sweetness over time.



Acesulfame-K is also 200 times sweeter than sugar but is not absorbed by the body. It’s usually combined with other sweeteners, such as aspartame which helps make it heat stable for use in cooking. Adding acesulfame-K to aspartame results in an even sweeter flavour while masking any aftertaste. Some artificial sweeteners contain just aspartame, while others have both aspartame and acesulfame-K.

Below is a selection of popular artificial sweeteners using aspartame and/or acesulfame-K which are available in the U.K.

Artificial Sweeteners Using Aspartame / Acesulfame-K

Brand Name		Calories per Teaspoon/Tablet	Ingredients
	Canderel Spoonful Granulated (Red jar)	1.9	Maltodextrine, Sweeteners: Aspartame* and Acesulfame-K, Flavouring, *Contains a source of Phenylalanine.
	Canderel Tablets (Red pack)	0.3	Lactose (from Milk), Sweeteners: Aspartame* and Acesulfame-K, Leucine, Cross-linked CMC, Flavouring, *Contains a source of Phenylalanine.
	Hermesetas Granulated	1.4	Maltodextrin 55%, Fructofibres® (Inulin 34%, Oligo-Fructose 8%), Sweeteners (Aspartame* 2%, Acesulfame-K 1%), * Phenylketonurics: Contains a source of phenylalanine
	Kruger 300 Sweeteners	0.1	Sweetener (Aspartame), Lactose (from Milk), Maize Starch, Anticaking Agents (Carboxy Methyl Cellulose, L-Leucin)
	Simply Sweet Granulated	2	Maltodextrin , Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid) , Sweeteners (Acesulfame K, Aspartame), Aspartame contains a source of Phenylalanine .
	SlendaSweet Granulated,  Sainsbury's	2	Maltodextrin; sweetener : Aspartame.  Contains a source of phenylalanine
	SlendaSweet Tablets, Sainsbury's	trace	Glycine; sweetener : Aspartame; stabiliser : Cross-linked Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose; Leucine. Contains a source of phenylalanine
	Slimmer 600 Tablets	0.16	Lactose, Sweeteners: Acesulfame-K,and Aspartame*, Leucine cross linked sodium CMC, E31. *Contains a source of phenylalanine
	Slimmer Sweetener Granulated	2	Maltodextrin, Sweeteners: Acesulfame K and Aspartame*, flavouring *contains a source of phenylalanine)
	Sweet 'N Low Granulated Sweetener  Sachets	0	Bulking Agent: Unidex (Aglomerated Dextrose and Maltodextrin), Sweeteners: Acesulfame-K and Aspartame*, Silicon Dioxide, Natural Flavour.  *Contains a source of phenylalanine.
	Sweetness & Light Granulated,  Silver Spoon	1.9	Maltodextrin, Sweetener: Acesulfame-K and Aspartame. Contains a source of Phenylalanine
	Sweetness & Light Mini Cubes,  Silver Spoon	0.2	Lactose (from Milk), Sweeteners: Acesulfame-K and Aspartame, Stabiliser: Cellulose Gum, Natural Flavouring. Contains a source of Phenylalanine
	Tesco Granulated Sweetener	2	Maltodextrin, Sweetener (Aspartame) (3%). Contains a source of phenylalanine.
	Tesco Low Calorie Sweeteners Tablets	trace	Milk Sugar, Sweetener (Aspartame), Anti-caking agents (Carboxymethylcellulose, L-Leucine),Maize Starch. Contains a source of phenylalanine.

For more information on aspartame, see Aspartame Information Center.

Related Posts:

Artificial Sweeteners using Sucralose - Read Post
Artificial Sweeteners using Saccharin - Read Post
Sugar Substitutes and Sweeteners using Stevia - Read Post


© Diets and Calories 2012