Top Tip from Supporting Balance: Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
We all want to feed our families well – that’s a given. But what if some of the “healthier” choices in our pantry are doing more harm than good?
Artificial sweeteners are found in more products than ever — from soft drinks and “sugar-free” ice creams to keto snacks and kids’ yoghurts. They promise fewer calories and less sugar… but at what cost?
What Are Artificial Sweeteners?
Artificial sweeteners are chemically manufactured sugar substitutes. They’re much sweeter than sugar, but contain little to no calories or kilojoules. That’s what makes them so appealing.
But many of these sweeteners are highly processed, and keeping synthetic additives out of our bodies and away from our kids is something many of us are working hard to do.
Common Artificial Sweeteners in Australia
According to Choice.com.au, common sweeteners used in Australia include:
- Acesulphame K (950)
- Aspartame (951 — found in Equal)
- Cyclamate (952)
- Sucralose (955 — found in Splenda)
- Saccharin (954 — Sweetex)
- Neotame (961)
- Alitame (956)
You’ll find these in “diet” or “sugar-free” drinks (like soft drinks, kombucha, and flavoured kefir), plus many “low-carb” or “guilt-free” desserts, lollies, and even supplements.
But It’s Plant-Based!
Some sweeteners, like stevia or monk fruit, are plant-derived. Sounds natural, right?
Unfortunately many of these are highly purified extracts, processed with chemicals — which strips away the benefits of the whole plant. You might see “monk fruit” on the front label, but the ingredient list often tells a different story: 1% monk fruit, 99% erythritol or sucralose.
Tip: When in doubt, flip the packet over and read the ingredients, because this shows the real picture, not what they say in the product marketing.
How Artificial Sweeteners Might Be Harming Your Health
1. Disrupting Gut Health
Some artificial sweeteners can disturb the balance of beneficial gut bacteria, affecting digestion, immunity, and even mood.
2. Disrupting Gut Health
Some artificial sweeteners can disturb the balance of beneficial gut bacteria, affecting digestion, immunity, and even mood.
3. Triggering Cravings
Sweeteners can train the brain to keep craving sweet foods – even without real sugar. This can make it harder to cut back long-term.
4. Interfering with Mineral Absorption
Certain sweeteners may impact how we absorb important nutrients like magnesium, zinc, and calcium, which can affect energy levels, bone strength, and more.
5. Side Effects for Sensitive Individuals
Some people report bloating, headaches, dizziness, or brain fog after consuming artificial sweeteners.
6. Uncertainty About Long-Term Safety
Despite being approved for use, long-term research on daily consumption is still evolving.
Healthier Sweet Options
So, at Supporting Balance, what do we recommend you use instead of artificial sweeteners? Try to:
- Choose whole fruits for natural sweetness.
- Opt for raw honey or dates in homemade snacks (in moderation).
- If using stevia, look for minimally processed green leaf powders over white refined versions.
- Avoid products with long ingredient lists or numbers you can’t recognise.
Your body and your family will thank you!
Want to learn more?
We are here to guide you on your journey to better health and we’d love to support you with your next steps.
If you’d like to learn more about ways to improve health naturally (which absolutely includes food), we’d love to share some more info with you. We regularly host online presentations on healthy food and health related topics. You can see our upcoming webinar or look through our webinar archive here.
If you need more personalised health and wellness guidance, our team of consultants are extremely knowledgeable and passionate about natural health. We can help you experience more energy, better sleep and reduce your health-condition-related symptoms. You can find out more here about consults we offer, and you can book a free consult advice call to discuss your options.
Here’s to better health today, tomorrow and into the future.