Question about splenda

Splenda, or any other low carb sweetner, isn't something I use very frequently at all, but I do have a question regarding the fact that the individual packets contain dextrose as the first ingredient. Obviously, I try to avoid anything containing dextrose or any other form of sugar, and I'm wondering why it is in the packets. I realize even the use of splenda is limited to a given number of servings, but shouldn't dextrose be avoided completely? Why is it present in the packets at all? Additionally, if it's listed as the first ingredient, does this imply that it is there in significant quantities? Also, could you explain the role of maltodextrin in both the packets and bulk forms of splenda? Lastly, is it present in amounts that could sabotage an otherwise very strictly adhered to low carb plan? We are taught to read labels very closely and shun anything lsiting dextrose...why not splenda?

I understand liquid splenda is not available for retail sale in the US, but what about Canada? Is Fiberfit the same as liquid splenda? If not, how does it differ?

Perhaps you can comment also on the number of carbs in 1 cup of the bulk splenda.

Thank you
Mandy

[LindaSue]

There are 24 grams of carbs and 96 calories in 1 cup of granular Splenda. Maltodextrin is added to give Splenda bulk so that it can be measured. The amount of actual Splenda in a packet would be microscopic if not for the maltodextrin and the dextrose. Granular Splenda is not a low carb food, but it is much lower than real sugar. The good news is that when you buy products that are sweetened with Splenda, they contain the pure sucralose version which has no carbs.

Because of the added sugars in granular Splenda, I go out of my way to limit its use and use liquid Splenda whenever possible. Generally, if a recipe calls for less than a tablespoon, I'll go ahead and use granular, otherwise I'll only make the recipe if liquid can be used instead.

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Your questions are good ones. I think some of them have already been answered. You may want to discuss your concerns by contacting Splenda.

1 packet of splenda counts as 1 net carb because of the dextrose. It is used as an anti-caking agent. If you use 1 - 2 packets it is unlikely to effect your weight loss. However, if you use more than this, you may see an effect on the rate of you weight loss.

If you are using commercial products, ie soda, that contain splenda, it is the liquid form. So therefore, you will not have to count
the carbs.

On the other hand, you do not want to drink soda in place of water. drinking 80-100 oz. of water is important for good health.

Hi Linda Sue Thaks for your response. Yes, I knew about the 24 carbs and quite frankly I find it too much for the most part, hence why I keep splenda use to an almost non existant level.

Hugs
Mandy

Atkins Nutrilionalist,

Thank you for responding but I think my primary questions were'n't answered. Perhaps they got lost in my rantings...lol

I'd like to know:

1. why we weed out every single other source of dextrose from our diet yet this is ok?

2. why is dextrose present in the packets and not the bulk?

3. I understand liquid splenda is not available for retail sale in the US, but what about Canada?

4. Is Fiberfit the same as liquid splenda? If not, how does it differ?

5. Significance of dextrose being the first ingredient?

There! That should help you

Mandy

Good comment about the water too. I'm already drinking close to 2 gallons per day, so I'm ok there, but it's great advice

[lkmjbc3]

I'll take a shot at answering a couple of your questions......

1. Because of the small carb count... period... Look, a packet of splenda contains less than one gram of carbs. This is just not much. It is convenient and tastes great. I'm not sure I understand your question.... On this diet we control our carb intake. Splenda is an excellent way of doing this. You could of course decide not to use any sweetners at all. You could decide to sweeten your food with sugar. Both of these are choices for a lowcarb diet. Both impact your total carb intake.

2. The packets fill a different cutomer need. They are used for convenience in sweetening drinks. The bulk Splenda is used for a different application.

3. Liquid Splenda is available overseas. My guess is that it will available here in a couple of years. Marketing, manufacturing, and regulatory costs get in the way. In the meantime you can get liquid sacchrin. It doesn't taste as great, but it is not bad.

4. Don't know about fiberfit.

5. Dextrose is just a sugar. It is the first ingrediant because it constitutes the bulk of the powder...... Still there is relatively little in a packet.

lkmjbc3

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Sorry, I'll try to do a better job!

1. why we weed out every single other source of dextrose from our diet yet this is ok? The amount in a packet is not a large amount. If you wanted to completely eliminate the packets from your plan, then you should. However, think of how limiting this would be...We did not realize the non-commercial splenda had dextrose in it, until people started consuming too much and we contacted the company to ask what was in the packets.

The best substitute is stevia but I do not think you can cook with it? It is also more expensive.

2. why is dextrose present in the packets and not the bulk? The response the company gave me was that it is an anti caking agent. You will have to speak with them if you need more info.

3. I understand liquid splenda is not available for retail sale in the US, but what about Canada? If you can get it let us all know! I think they sell little "tic tac" size splenda in Australia, I do not have anymore info on this.

4. Is Fiberfit the same as liquid splenda? If not, how does it differ? I'd have to contact the company or read the ingredient label. Do you have a label to read?

5. Significance of dextrose being the first ingredient? It is significant but the total amount is only counted as 1 gram vs containing 5 grams of dextrose. So, if you use only 1-2 packs, you should not get too many carbs.

I hope this is more clear.

Thank you..all good information...helps to have that to make an informed decision about usage.

While yes, it is just one carb, in my opinion it's where the carbs come from matters more than how many. We all know that our body is going to respond differently to a gram of carb coming from a simple sugar souce such as dextrose to the way it would respond to a more complex source such as veggies.

This low carber will wait for liquid splenda!

Hugs
Mandy

[LindaSue]

Although 1 carb may not sound like a lot, but if you're limited to just 20 per day, it is quite a bit. I'd rather have a little more broccoli than a packet of Splenda and it would be more filling.

Fiberfit isn't as concentrated as liquid Splenda. According to Netrition, it takes about 1/4 cup Fiberfit to equal one cup of sugar, so if you bought the 4 ounce bottle, it would take half the bottle if your recipe called for a cup of granular Splenda. If you used liquid Splenda, it would only take 1 1/2 teaspoons liquid or less, depending on the type you used.

MandyDee, send me an email and I'll be your friend, LOL. You can find my email address on my website.

[bab_indy]

I use the liquid stevia. And cook with it. But usually as a combo liquid splenda and liquid stevia. I like the combination. I've not heard anything about not cooking with it and not had any problems with it.

[kcduffer]

Cooking with Stevia--

I too cook and bake with both powdered and liquid stevia. Usually I combine it with other sweeteners with great success. I really wish it was easier to get and the quality was more uniform. I also would like to have it in foods instead of other sweeteners, but I understand these problems are because the fda doesn't approve it as anything but a nutritional supplement.

[Emily-D]

Originally posted by Atkins_Nutritionist


The best substitute is stevia but I do not think you can cook with it? It is also more expensive.

I have made whole wheat banana bread (for my kids) that is sweetened only by stevia powder. They love it.

It really isn't expensive when you consider the amount you use. I use about 1 tsp of stevia to substitute for 1 cup of sugar. So, a little container of stevia lasts a long time.

[jvryden]

Originally posted by MandyDee


4. Is Fiberfit the same as liquid splenda? If not, how does it differ?


Mandy

Hi Mandy, I'll attept to answer your fiberfit quesion. I've been experimenting with it lately.

From what I understand, the fiberfit is not quite AS concentrated as the liquid Splenda, although it is somewhat (1 teaspoon is the equivalent of 4-5 t sugar and provides 1 g soluble fiber). I have not used the liquid Splenda, so maybe someone else could tell you its conversion.

I've been using it in conjunction with other sweeteners (Xylitol and Erythritol) and have been pleased with the results.

The ingredients listed are: Purified water, soluble fiber, sucralose, gluconic acid, guar gum, Irish moss. Preserved with less than 1/10th of 1% potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.

Hope this helps you!

Thanks everyone for the comments..I think I'll give stevia a try. One question: if stevia isn't approved for use as a sweetener, what IS it's use approved for? lol..even on the box it doesn't say! lol Just some stuff about how it was recognized by the ancients..and..while I'm not quite ancient (yet!) I don't know what else it's supposed to be good for!

Hugs
Mandy