Sweeteners are classified as nutritive and nonnutritive.
Nutritive sweeteners have calories and include sugar, fructose, honey and many other sweeteners.
Nonnutritive sweeteners are not a source of calories and the popular ones are saccharin and aspartame. When it comes to using them, differences of taste and opinion exist. It is the position of The American Dietetic Association that you can safely enjoy a range of nonnutritive and nutritive sweeteners when consumed in moderation and within the context of a diet consistent with the dietary guidelines. This means both types of sweeteners can fit, if you limit their usage, as the pyramid says, to sparingly. Copyright 2000, American Dietetic Association.