Stevia or Splenda: Which One Should You Choose?

Is stevia or splenda better?
Photo by Mathilde Langevin on Unsplash

The market is flooded with sugar alternatives for anyone who wants to quit sugar, but not all of them are created equal. When you first decide you want to move away from sugar and try some other things, you get a huge selection that often leaves you more confused than you were before. Let’s compare two of the most common sugar replacements so you can choose the one that fits you better: should you pick stevia or splenda?

What is Stevia?

Stevia comes from a plant that grows in South America. It’s a natural sweetener that recently became a popular sugar replacement. Stevia is 200-300 times sweeter than white sugar thanks to the natural compounds it contains. It also comes with zero calories, so it’s really a dream come true. The only downsides are its price and a slightly bitter aftertaste that some people don’t like.

What is Splenda?

Unlike stevia, splenda is artificial. Despite being made in a lab, splenda shares many qualities with stevia. It’s a lot sweeter than sugar and has virtually no calories. It’s created by tweaking the molecular structure of sugar so it’s 400-700 times sweeter and you only need a tiny bit of it.

Which is Better?

Both stevia and splenda can replace sugar and are completely safe to use. You can pick one or the other based on availability and decide if you want a natural or artificial sweetener.