People are looking for sugar alternatives to satisfy their sweet cravings. But which sugar substitutes are better for you?

PRODUCT: Stevia (960) and steviol glycosides (960)
FOUND IN: Ice-cream, confectionery and drinks. Can be used for cooking.
COMES FROM: Extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant.
IS IT SAFE?: Yes, says Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

PRODUCT: Sorbitol (420)
FOUND IN: Occurs naturally in some plants. Used in sugar-free products and medicines.
COMES FROM: Extracted for use as a food additive through processing of grains such as corn.
IS IT SAFE?: A high intake may cause fl atulence, stomach cramps and diarrhoea.

PRODUCT: Mannitol (421)
FOUND IN: Occurs naturally in some plants. Found in jellies, jams, drinks and desserts.
COMES FROM: Extracted through processing grains such as wheat, corn and barley.
IS IT SAFE?: Can have effects similar to sorbitol.

PRODUCT: Xylitol (967)
FOUND IN: Occurs naturally in some plants. Used in sugar-free sweets and chewing gum.
COMES FROM: Extracted from wood.
IS IT SAFE?: Can have effects similar to sorbitol.

PRODUCT: Isomalt (953)
FOUND IN: Sweet foods such as jams, cakes, biscuits, ice-cream and confectionery.
COMES FROM: Manufactured from sugar.
IS IT SAFE?: Can have effects similar to sorbitol.

PRODUCT: Thaumatin (957)
FOUND IN: Sugar-free chewing gum, some dairy products and brewed soft drinks.
COMES FROM: A protein derived from the seeds of an intensely sweet African fruit called katemfe.
IS IT SAFE?: Has no known side effects and is considered safe at current levels.

PRODUCT: Saccharin (954)
FOUND IN: Low-calorie foods and drinks. Also used as a tabletop sweetener.
COMES FROM: An intense sweetener produced synthetically.
IS IT SAFE?: Regarded as safe.

PRODUCT: Cyclamate (952)
FOUND IN: Tabletop sweetener. Also in drinks, jams and sugar-free chewing gum.
COMES FROM: An intense no-calorie sweetener produced synthetically.
IS IT SAFE?: Regarded as safe at current usage levels.

PRODUCT: Alitame (956)
FOUND IN: Cakes and other dessert items, drinks.
COMES FROM: Made synthetically from two amino acids: aspartic acid and alanine.
IS IT SAFE?: Regarded as safe at current usage levels.

PRODUCT: Aspartame (951)
FOUND IN: Drinks, yoghurt, diet foods, lollies. Tabletop sweetener. Can be used in cooking.
COMES FROM: Made synthetically from phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol.
IS IT SAFE?: Safe, says FSANZ, except for those with phenylketonuria (PKU).

PRODUCT: Sucralose (955)
FOUND IN: Diet drinks, yoghurts and lollies. Tabletop sweetener. Can be used in cooking.
COMES FROM: Chemically altered form of sugar that can’t be metabolised by the body.
IS IT SAFE?: Safe for everyone.

PRODUCT: Acesulphame K (950)
FOUND IN: Diet drinks, desserts and as a tabletop sweetener. Not used for cooking.
COMES FROM: Made from acetoacetic acid.
IS IT SAFE?: Safe for everyone.