Sugar or artifical sweeteners for your kids?

[HappyMommy2]

Of course we try to limit junk food in our house, but I do like to buy popsicles, Jello, pudding, and similar tasty snacks for occasional treats for my kids, especially in the summertime. All these products come in regular and sugar-free (meaning sweetened with Nutra Sweet or Splenda) varieties, and lately I've been really wondering which would be the smarter choice for my kids.

What do you choose for your kids?

 

[preshi]

We choose Sugar Free for desserts for night time or else it's insane around here. During the day I don't mind if her has regular sugar but at night it's a different story.

 

[outstandinfarmer]

I wouldn't use artificial. They are always coming out and saying artificial sugar is bad, especially when children are developing and growing. I'd stick with the sugar ones and just not let them have as much. Like for popsicles, take the "ALL NATURAL, NO SUGAR ADDED" approach.

There have been TOO many studies on the harms of artf sugar. I would NEVER intentionally give it to my kids.

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

Nothing negative has come out about Splenda, and it tastes much more like Sugar than Nutra Sweet or aspartame or saccharine. I can finally drink diet drinks thanks to Splenda, up until now I'd rather drink raw sewage than Diet sodas with aspartame.

 

[HappyMommy2]

Thanks for the replies. I suppose that in moderation either is fine. I do lean toward the regular sugar for my kids, but right now we have sorbitol-sweetened popsicles in our freezer (they have a warning label about sorbitol having a "laxative effect"--I didn't notice this till just now! )