I have seen several recipes where the net carb count changes depending on whether you use liquid splenda or regular splenda. I normally use Xylitol because I have heard that it is natural and just better to use. So what is better splenda or xylitol? And would xylitol lower the carb count when substituting it for splenda?

I don't know how many carbs are in xylitol (or if it's carb-free?) so I can't answer your specific question. But what I can tell you is that regular powdered splenda has carbs because of the filler in it - maltodextrin. So obviously if you have another option that doesn't have those fillers/carbs, keep using that and just subtract what carbs were calculated for powdered splenda (just as I would because I use the liquid syrups only now).

The xylitol packet says that it is a 100% pure natural sweetner with 4g carbs and 4g of sugar alcohols. The ingredients state that it is 100% pure xylitol powder. I am guessing that it would be better than splenda, but I never see recipes that use it. I'm just not sure if the measurements would be different or not..

Hmmmmm....I don't know much about it, so I'm only responding instinctively here, but I immediately start to wonder when you say "sugar alchohol". That's a whole different topic in and of itself! When people are calculating net carbs, there is a major debate on whether to include both fiber and sugar alchohols. There is also concern about them as AS (artifical sweetener) options (because of potential stomach discomfort). So now I'm confused about it being a more "natural" and "pure" option. <scratching head> But I digress...sorry! It's entirely up to you to have it if you want it. As far as how to calculate it, I'm thinking you should decide whether you are counting sugar alchohols as part of your carb count first. Then you'll have your answer as to whether a serving is 4g or 0g.

I know that Xylitol is good for your teeth....but you aren't really saving carbs...

I use liquid Splenda....it has less carbs because it has no fillers...it seems expensive...but one drop = one packet....I figured it out andthey cost about the same...the liqid also takes up less cabinet space!

Dr Mary Dan Eades wrote a blog entry about sweeteners which may answer some of these questions: http://www.proteinpower.com/drmd_blog/?p=142

This is part of the introductory part, before she goes on to write about each sweetener in turn:

I rarely use sweeteners, but when I do, I use oligofructose. It's essentially sweet fiber. It's expensive, but since I use so little, it works for me!!