What's the difference between Splenda and NutraSweet, and which one is better for you?

NutraSweet is made from two proteins and is 200 times sweeter than sugar, so very little is required to sweeten food. It is not heat-stable and cannot be used in cooking or baked foods. Splenda is made from sugar, but is not recognized by the body as sugar and passes through unchanged. It is heat-stable and useful in cooking and baking. Both are deemed safe by the Food and Drug Administration.

No artificial sweetener is "better for you" than sugar when used in moderation. Excess sugar, or any food, may contribute to the rising rate of obesity in children, but there is no evidence that artificial sweeteners may slow the rising rate.