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Finding the right answers to your patients' questions is critical to
giving them the care they need. You'll find answers and information below
that help you field your patients' most frequent questions.
Equal
Product Information
Using
Equal in Recipes
Product
Safety
What is Equal?
Equal is a no-calorie, tabletop sweetener that contains aspartame as
the sweetening ingredient.
Aspartame is a dipeptide composed of two amino acids: aspartic acid
and the methyl ester of phenylalanine.
The components in aspartame are similar to those found in everyday foods
such as meat, milk, fruits and vegetables.
How long does Equal stay fresh?
Equal has an indefinite shelf life if stored away from heat and humidity.
Store Equal as you would sugar.
In what forms is Equal available?
Equal Packets--Pre-measured for convenience; great for beverages and
cereal.
Equal Spoonful--Measures cup-for-cup like sugar; perfect for recipes.
Equal Tablets--For on-the-go convenience.
Equal's entire family of products can
help your patients keep enjoying the good things in life--without all
the calories and carbohydrates of sugar.
Can Equal be used in recipes?
Equal can be used in a variety of recipes. For best results, use specially
designed Equal recipes or
add Equal after removing dishes from heat.
Equal recipes are lower in calories and carbohydrates than tradition
versions, and include nutritional information and food exchanges to aid
in meal planning. Sugar substitutes cannot provide the bulk, tenderness
and browning properties of sugar.
Our
Recipe Fact Sheet includes hints and tips for using Equal in recipes.
Can Equal be used at high temperatures?
Yes. Equal recipes use a
variety of cooking times and temperatures. The Equal Apple
Pie , for instance, bakes at 400°F for 40 to 50 minutes.
Is Equal safe?
Yes. Equal's safety has been affirmed by the Food and Drug Administration,
the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association.
Aspartame is one of the most widely tested food ingredients,
having been the subject of over 200 scientific studies.
Our Aspartame
Fact Sheet answers the most frequently asked questions about aspartame
safety. The fact sheet is sponsored by the Calorie Control Council
and was reviewed by the American Dietetic Association's Fact Sheet
Review Board.
"Since aspartame is broken down into these components (aspartic
acid, phenylalanine, and methanol) before it is absorbed into the blood
stream, aspartame in its initial form does not have the opportunity to
travel to target organs, including the brain, to cause cancer." (Source:
The American Cancer Society)
How much Equal can be safely consumed?
The FDA-recommended Acceptable Daily Intake is 50 mg per each kg of
body weight. For a 150-lb. adult, this is the equivalent of 87 packets
of Equal per day.
The rare exception is patients with phenylketonuria, who should typically
avoid using aspartame.
Does Equal cause headaches?
No. "Aspartame is no more likely to produce headaches than placebo." (Source:
Schiffman, Susan. "Aspartame and Susceptibility to Headache," The
New England Journal of Medicine, 1987)
Does Equal cause allergic reactions?
No. "Studies have found no association between aspartame and allergic
reactions." (Source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
Is Equal safe to use during pregnancy or while nursing?
Yes. "Aspartame is safe for both mother and developing baby." (Source:
American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Nutrition)
Does using Equal cause hyperactivity in children?
No. "Studies have shown that aspartame consumption does not affect
the behavior of children." (Source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation
of America)
Is Equal safe at high temperatures?
Yes. Exposing foods containing aspartame to high temperatures for prolonged
periods of time does not cause any hazardous chemical changes.
Could using Equal cause weight gain?
No. Equal has zero calories and can be an effective part of a weight
management program.
"Intense sweeteners have never been found to cause weight gain
in humans." (Source: Rolls, BJ. "Effect of utraSweet® on
Body Weight," 1991)
You'll find these and other aspartame safety statements from
leading health organizations in our Aspartame
Reference Sheet .
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