I just don't get how people are content to consume this stuff

Food is not just about taste, you know. Even if it's sweets. The whole point of sweeteners is that they provide a nutritional upside (fewer calories, don't spike blood sugar).

   and just consume waay less of it than I used to

I consume none of it - almost never. And the only way I will have sweets is with artificial sweeteners. I agree they don't taste as great, but they also don't have as many calories.