Trying to cut down sugar/sweets in my diet. are there any alternative sweeteners that are safe and don't cause unpleasant side effects?

Safe substitutes: Stevia is the best non calorie plant base sugar substitute.Do not use other chemicals. may use honey in between. High protein diet,handful of nuts daily- Salad & salmon diet. Keep off of fructose & fructose products.

Erythritol, stevia: I agree with Dr. Jayaraj that stevia is a healthy alternative sweetener but not everyone likes its flavor. Erythritol may be the safest natural sweetener available and tastes more like sugar. See http://authoritynutrition.com/erythritol/ Xylitol is another good choice, though large amounts may cause loose stools.