Splenda Sweetener
A brief rundown on Splenda and sucralose …
Nutrional Content of Splenda
Within the United States, Splenda has been marketed as a “no calories sweetener”. Splenda actually contains ninety-six calories per cup or one-eighth the calories found in an equal amount of sugar (770 calories).
Also note that in the U.S., the FDA allows Splenda’s manufacturer to hype the product as having zero calories per serving, while the product actually contains two calories per serving (1 tsp.). This factual inaccuracy is allowed by law because if any “food contains less than 5 calories per reference amount customarily consumed and per labeled serving”, it may be labeled as “zero calorie”. Also, virtually all of Splenda’s calories come from the dextrose and maltodextrin which are typically added to give Splenda its light, fluffy texture.
Splenda Storage
Almost all products containing Splenda add “bulking agents” and additional corn-derived sweeteners to ensure that the product approximates the volume and taste of table sugar. Pure surcalose is over five hundred times sweeter than sucrose or table sugar. For this reason, it is not sold in bulk for individual use. Because dry sucralose can begin to decompose at higher temperatures, maltodextrin or other blended solutions are added to provide better stability.
Use in Brand Name Products
Sucralose, and to a lesser degree, Splenda, can be found in over 5,000 food and beverage items throughout the world. It has become a favorite for replacing or as a supplement to other chemical sweeteners like aspartame (Nutrasweet).
Cooking and Baking with Splenda
Splenda’s biggest triumph is its great stability at higher temperatures, making it a great sugar alternative for baking and cooking. It’s sold in granulated form in large/bulk bags, similar to bags of sugar. Splenda is also available in half-and-half bags – a blend made with half Splenda and half sugar, making it easily scoopable and usable in a wide variety of recipes.