I know you've been following the stories about the studies done recently showing a link between all artificial sweeteners and weight gain. I remember reading posts on here a lonnnnng time ago warning about too much artificial sweetener being a problem.

So what do you think? The stories I've seen on the news target diet soda pop especially, but I'm not sure why. How about any thing with a.s. in it--like my personal favorite, Crystal Lite? hmmmm?

Time to save this for a special treat? How much a.s. do you reckon YOU consume in a day now that you don't do sugar? I bet I take in a lot more than I thought I did, and I'm going to really look at it this week. I don't know how much "too much" is, but I'd be interested in comparing notes with you if you measure your intake too. Let me know.

fingers crossed,
Sandi

I try not to use or ingest too much artificial sweetner of any kind. I have been leary of artificial sweeteners for years. In my younger days I drank Tab and used Sweet n Low. Then I found out that Sweet n Low was made out of an organic molecule of petroleum. Petoleum is crude oil. Sweet n low is basically a byproduct in a sense. Good times. Splenda is not all that is cracked up to be either. I try to ingest non artificial things, the best I am able. I prefer small amounts of real sugar. that is just me. I don't drink nearly as much crystal lite and diet juice products either. Emergen-C and tea.


Thank you for posting this. It really makes you think.

I think the closer we get to natural products the better our bodies will function.

I do use equal in my decaf.

I think the tough part is breaking our need for everything to be sweet.
That's the tough one... and the manufacturers know it.
Let's face it, they put sugar in Cigarettes because they know sugar is addictive.

Seems like everything is sweet these days. Especially in the US. Maybe that's
why we are the fattest Nation.

I was overseas once and saw a pastry shop and got something that looked yummy -
BLECH - it had barely the taste of sugar! I thought "How can they eat this stuff!" LOL
They think there stuff is sweet - LOL

We are a different breed

I agree. We screw up our bodies with eating these false sweets. Those sweet flavors make us want to consume more. I can remember my grandma adding sugar or honey to my cousins bottle to get her to drink it quicker. Imagine! Fat babies were good to have back in the day. Now we want healthy babies.

I'm guilty of too much Crystal Light and Splenda. I'll drink twice as much coffee if I've got Splenda and half 'n half in it.

And the aspartame in diet colas is breaking the integrity of our DNA.
see article:
http://media.www.dailyvanguard.com/media/s...n-3197847.shtml
An astounding number of illnesses are being related to the use of aspatame.

My sister is a biochemist and she has been telling me for years that artificial sweetners are not good for you. She use to do studies with rats although I do not think that she did them on sweetners. She is well known in the field of DNA and travels the world speaking so I have got to trust her. I have not been able to get off of the artificial sweetners and I have tried now 14 times since WLS. It is like I am hooked. Now when I do try something like tea with a sugar in it, it is not even sweet. I need to think about getting off of it again.

Diamond Girl

Thanks everyone for your input. I think as a precautionary measure, I'm going to start looking at artificial sweetners like I used to look at real sugar: a special treat and not a mandatory daily item in my diet. I haven't been adding straight sweetener to food, but I have been eating more sugar free kinds of foods. I think I'll cut back on this too.

MFynn, I'll check out the website. Thanks!

Personally, I don't like Equal, never did. I was a Sweet 'N Low girl for years. I do use saccharin tablets (1/4grain) in a 20 ounce cup of coffee once a day. Have my entire life. I don't do CL or sodas or most other artifically sweetened drinks. I do drink Propel but I dilute it by half with bottled water. Not so bad I think as artificial sweeteners go. Dependant? Sure. I won't give up my coffee.

I think we are doomed to be a part of the artificial sweetener society simply because so many products we use have them in some form. What about the protein shakes and protein bars we all use? I have quit eating the bars because they just don't taste very good to me and I have tried to just opt for a piece of fruit now that the carbs aren't so much an issue for me.

The best rule of thumb for me is to eat natural if possible and artificial in moderation. Moderation is hard for a formerly obese person but I hope to be there one day. I have to say that I can't believe how sweet natual foods taste these days. Onions and carrots taste like they have sugar added to them and I won't eat canned vegetables for that reason. I guess that just proves that we have always eaten too much processed junk when natural food tastes like it is supposed to.

One of the ladies at the support group suggested using stevia, which is sold as a dietary supplement, not a sweetener.
I picked up a bottle (like a medicine bottle with a dropper) at the local whole foods store but haven't opened it yet.
Anyone had any experiences with it?

It is made from a bush.....South America?

Thanks

It is very sweet and I've found it to have an aftertaste. It isn't a chemically aftertaste like with artificial sweeteners, just an aftertaste. My 18 year old daughter likes it. She doesn't find it to have an aftertaste at all. If you end up buying the packets there are TWO servings in each packet.

I use stevia---and yes it is an acquired taste---but it is natural---so I stick with it---and a little goes a LOOOOOOng way

As for the artificial sweeteners....they cause the same type of insulin response in the body that real sugar does....then when you don't give your body the sugar/glucose your blood sugar bottoms out triggering hunger--that is the reason for the weight gain--well one of the reasons---insulin spikes also signal the body to store body fat

you really don't even have to eat anything sweet tasting to have the insulin spike---just thinking of eating something sweet begins the process

which is why it is best to avoid all sweet flavored things in general----get more savory foods in your daily routines....haven't you noticed the newer protein options like the chicken soups and tomato soups..... try these instead of bars or sweetened shakes

I too have been trying to use more Stevia. It is a natural alternative. I buy it in a box of packets at a local health food store. We do know that the FDA does not regulate these type of items but look at some of the stuff that they ok! I have also started putting a teaspoon or two of real sugar in my ice tea as it is only 14 calories a teaspoon, I believe and also is a natural occuring alternative. I know that the artificial sweetners are not good as evidenced by my inability to get off of them.

Diamond Girl

It seems we have so many making decisions for us. High Fructose corn syrup, soy, sweeteners being added to our foods. Most European countries won't allow US products to be sold. Even McDonalds have a different way of preparing their menu over there. It does make me wonder sometimes if this is why we have so many ailments besides being so overweight in this country. I love my Crystal lite but I think I will start looking for Stevia and a new beverage.