If I have diabetes, how can I substitute an artificial sweetener for sugar?

Experts say in order to lose weight you must reduce your calorie intake by consuming a healthy diet and increase your energy expenditure by doing more physical activity. As part of a weight loss or weight management plan, artificial sweeteners can provide low-calorie options for desserts and other treats instead of cutting them out completely. By replacing sugar-sweetened drinks and sweet foods in your diet with versions that have been artificially sweetened, you can significantly reduce your calorie intake.

• Sweeteners themselves do not contain any calories or carbs. However, they are often found in foods that are still high in calories. Below are some examples of how artificially sweetened foods can help you cut calories and carbs:
• You drink two regular 12-ounce sodas each day. Replace these with two diet sodas (diet sodas are usually sweetened with aspartame and acesulfame K) to save yourself about 300 calories and almost 80 grams of carbohydrate! Diet soda is a much better option. It has zero calories and zero carbohydrates.
• You eat one 6-ounce cup of regular yogurt for breakfast each morning. Replace this with 6 ounces of artificially sweetened light yogurt to save yourself almost 100 calories and 15 grams of carbohydrate every day.
• Every day you sweeten your coffee with 2 teaspoons of sugar. Use one packet of artificial sweetener each day for a zero-calorie and zero-carb cup of joe instead of adding the extra 32 calories and 10 grams of carbohydrate from just that little bit of sugar!

People who cannot tolerate artificial sweeteners might be able to handle stevia, which is a natural sweetener derived from a plant. What's more, small amounts of regular sugar, honey, or other natural-occurring calorie-containing sweeteners can be carefully incorporated into the diabetes meal plan. Just be sure that you count the carbohydrate content.