Does Splenda Break a Fast?

Splenda is the brand name of an artificial sweetener that’s gained popularity with people trying to avoid calories from excess sugar. It’s a low-calorie alternative typically used to sweeten coffee and other treats. It differs from other low-calorie sweeteners like Sweet’N Low and Equal (saccharin and aspartame, respectively) because it’s actually made from real sugar.

Because it originates from sugar, you might not be surprised to learn it will break your fast if you include it in your daily routine. What might surprise you is it’s actually the maltodextrin in Splenda that can spike your insulin and glucose level – which will cause your fast to break. If you do need some sort of a sweetener, you might consider something without a glycemic impact, like Monk fruit or Stevia.