It’s an ugly word that’s made its way in and out of the news headlines over the last several years. Unfortunately, it’s back. What are we talking about here? Aspartame. Aspartame is considered to be one of the unhealthiest food additives known to man. Why? Because what has been marketed to you and I as a healthier alternative to sugar, is actually a biochemical agent that was previously used in warfare! Recently rebranded as AminoSweet, aspartame continues to be sold as an artificial sweetener. Its most well-known brands are NutraSweet and Canderel. Look closely at today’s product labels, and you’ll find aspartame in thousands of beverages and foods, especially those that are marketed as low in sugar or sugar-free. While 'sugar-free' may sound healthier, the chemicals used to sweeten these products are not. Some of the popular products that are made with aspartame include sugar-free chewing gum, diet sodas, yogurts, cereal, energy drinks, and even vitamins. The rule of thumb is that if it claims to be sugar-free but still tastes sweet, aspartame is likely to be lurking in the ingredients. The one place you won’t find aspartame or anything like it is at Lucia & Co. From our freshly baked Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes to our exclusive coffees and teas, all of our wonderfully delicious products are aspartame-free. What makes for a healthier alternative sweetener? Stay tuned next week for some of my favorite natural sweeteners.