Managing Sugar calories: Here’s what to look for.

The allure of artificial sweeteners is understandable. Imagine being able to indulge in your favorite desserts or beverages without worrying about adding calories to your daily calorie count. That is the perk of artificial sugars, but is it better to consume real sugar in moderation? Ultimately, it is your choice, so here are some things to consider.

Considering Artificial
The sugar aisle in most grocery stores usually also contains several artificial sweeteners. Aspartame (Equal), saccharine (Sweet ‘n Low), sucralose (Splenda), and stevia (a natural alternative) are all available on these aisles. Most of these sweeteners can be used as a sugar substitute in baking, reducing the calories in your favorite muffins, cookies, and cakes. Aspartame or sucralose is used to sweeten soft drinks, meaning that a 20 ounce bottle of soda will cost you zero calories. Diabetics can benefit from the reduced or absent sugar. Many commercially made snacks contain artificial sweeteners to lower the calorie count or allow those sensitive to sugar to still enjoy desserts without worrying about their blood sugar.
The downside of artificial sugar is that these products are not natural in nature, with the exception of stevia. If you are one who would rather eat more natural foods and avoid chemicals, then artificial sweeteners will probably not be for you. Though artificial sweeteners do lower the calorie count in foods, the body reacts the same to artificial sweeteners as it does to real sugar, so it has the chance of messing with your blood sugar, and it does not taste as good. Real sugar may be the option for you.

The Case for Real
Real sugar is a natural product. Many foods, from fruit to honey, contain natural sugar that is not bad for you, as long as you eat it in moderation. Some types of real sugar can help your blood sugar stay regulated. Honey is one of those foods that is particularly good for you because it is processed very little, if at all, and it can be used to sweeten tea, coffee, oatmeal, and other things that you may consume on a regular basis. Sugar makes baked goods turn out correctly and taste good.
The downside of real sugar is that it is not low in calories. While it is better to consume real sugar rather than processed sugar (like corn syrup), it can still cause your blood sugar to be uneven. Carbohydrates can easily be converted into fat if they are not burned off, and sugar is a pure carbohydrate. If you consume real sugar, it should be in moderation, even if it is natural.

In the end, it is really up to you to decide whether you will consume artificial sugar or real sugar. Whether you choose because of the taste or because of what you will be putting in your body, consider carefully and consume both types of sugar in moderation.