Artificial sweeteners, or non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are a low calorie alternative to other sweeteners such as sugar, honey or agave. There are currently seven NNS that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These include stevia, aspartame, acesulfame K, neotame, saccharin, sucralose and luo han guo fruit extract. NNS actually come from both natural and artificial sources. You may know them as the “fake” sugar packets you add to foods and beverages. You can also find them in products you may already buy like diet soda or other beverages,sugar free coffee creamers, sugar free candy, xylitolgums, jam and cereal, just to name a few. Continue reading →