Sugar substitute, aspartame, powder
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Aspartame powder is a zero-calorie, high-intensity artificial sweetener, roughly 200 times sweeter than sugar. It appears as a fine, white, crystalline powder that dissolves instantly in liquids, delivering a clean, sweet taste without the bitter aftertouch of some other sweeteners. Nutritionally, it provides sweetness with negligible calories, as the body metabolizes its components—phenylalanine and aspartic acid—in very small amounts.
Calorie split: 2% protein · 98% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its ability to mimic the sweetness of sugar in everything from coffee to baked goods without the caloric load, making it a staple for those monitoring sugar intake. Its versatility in both hot and cold applications, from diet sodas to homemade lemonade, makes it a convenient kitchen and pantry staple.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Some individuals report a lingering metallic or bitter aftertaste, and it is not suitable for people with phenylketonuria (PKU) due to its phenylalanine content. To manage taste, start with a very small amount and blend with other sweeteners like erythritol; for PKU, strict avoidance is necessary, so always check labels on 'sugar-free' products.
Key benefits
- Provides intense sweetness with virtually no calories
- Useful for reducing added sugar in beverages and foods
- Does not promote tooth decay like fermentable carbohydrates
- Stable in dry, powdered form for long shelf life
- Can help manage carbohydrate and sugar intake
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Aspartame was discovered by accident in 1965 when a chemist at G.D. Searle & Co. was testing an anti-ulcer drug and licked his finger to turn a page, noticing the intensely sweet compound.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 8.8 g |
| Energy | 365 kcal |
| Protein | 2.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 89.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 80.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 0.00 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.04 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 0.00 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 4.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 0.00 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.01 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.50 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Beverages, coffee substitute, cereal grain beverage, powder, prepared with whole milk — USDA does not publish this profile for Sugar substitute.
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.15 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.20 g |
| Leucine | 0.32 g |
| Lysine | 0.26 g |
| Methionine | 0.08 g |
| Cystine | 0.03 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.16 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.16 g |
| Valine | 0.22 g |
| Arginine | 0.12 g |
| Histidine | 0.09 g |
| Alanine | 0.12 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.25 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.69 g |
| Glycine | 0.07 g |
| Proline | 0.32 g |
| Serine | 0.18 g |
FAQ
Is aspartame powder safe to bake with?
Aspartame is not ideal for high-heat baking as it can break down and lose sweetness above 300°F (150°C). It's best used in no-bake recipes, cold beverages, or added after cooking.
How much aspartame is equivalent to a teaspoon of sugar?
Because it's about 200 times sweeter, a tiny pinch (roughly 1/16 of a teaspoon or less) of aspartame powder is equivalent to the sweetness of a full teaspoon of sugar.
Does aspartame affect blood sugar levels?
Aspartame itself does not raise blood glucose or insulin levels in most people, as it is metabolized into components used in normal protein metabolism, not as a carbohydrate.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.65 kcal/g · 2% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 80.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.00 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.