Share Follow us Most people on low-carb find that once they get used to the diet, the cravings for sugar go away. Many even claim not to use any sweeteners at all. However, you may find it hard to give up sweets, especially at the beginning. I’ve been researching for natural low-carb sweeteners as well as other healthy alternatives to sugar. As always, there are many sweeteners you should avoid. I personally avoid using sweeteners regularly and only use them for occasional treats.
Get instant access to healthy low-carb and keto meal plans, fast and easy recipes, weight loss advice from medical experts, and so much more. A healthier life starts now with your free trial! To the left, in the green zone, are very-low-carb sweeteners that have generally been shown to have little impact on blood sugar or insulin levels. The numbers corresponding to each sweetener represent the estimated long-term impact each product may have on blood sugar and insulin levels as compared to the same amount of sweetness from white sugar. These products are relatively new and their full effect on obesity, diabetes, liver health, the gut microbiome and long-term risk for metabolic or cardiovascular disease is not yet known. More research is needed. For example, a Splenda packet provides about the same sweetness as two teaspoons of sugar, which is 8 grams of sugar. The packet contains about 0. Pure dextrose has a number of , so Splenda gets a number of x 0. The asterisks by xylitol and maltitol reflect that these sweeteners cause a blood glucose and insulin response, although less than sugar does.
The majority of people who follow the ketogenic diet — or any low-carb diet — find that sugar cravings go away eventually. However, this process takes time and it may feel difficult for you to give up sweets right away. Especially as a beginner on keto, you are bound to crave sweets every so often. Instead, use them as a tool to help you wean off sugar, until your sugar cravings are gone. Stevia is one of the most popular zero-carb sweeteners on the market. Stevia is sold in both powdered and liquid form, and can be used on any food or drink to help satisfy your sugar cravings. We encourage people to get liquid drops whenever possible, because some powdered stevia products may contain artificial sweeteners like maltodextrin or dextrose. Monk fruit sweetener is another great zero-carb sweetener that contains compounds known as mogrosides.