Sugar and substitutes

daklex

What do you think is best? Using regular sugar, or honey, or one of the artificial sweetners (Splenda/Truvia/Sweet n low)?

I'm trying to limit how much sugar (in any form) that I have anyway, but was wondering what's best for trying to lose weight.

NoAdditives

Artificial sweeteners are perceived by the brain to be a natural sugar. So when you consume an artificial sweetener your brain signals the release of insulin, the "fat storing" hormone. The insulin tells the liver and kidneys to stop metabolizing fat for energy and to instead use sugar from your blood. When there isn't enough sugar in your blood your brain sends hunger signals so that you can replenish your blood sugar and not get hypoglycemic. So you end up eating more and not burning fat, which is extremely counterproductive for weight loss.

Not to mention the fact that artificial sweeteners are just that, artificial. They are chemical compounds that aren't always safe and can potentially lead to serious health problems.

Mindful_Trent

Splenda/Sweet n Low are artificial sweeteners. Not everyone agrees, but I feel that anything made with chemicals like that dont' belong in my body. Yes, I realize techincally EVERYTHING is made with "chemicals" but I'll stick to the ones nature provides. :laugh:

Stevia (the main ingredient in Truvia) is extracted from a plant - it's the only calorie-free sweetener I'll use, but I don't use Truvia and most of the other brands due to the additional ingredients they add. I use 100% stevia that is extracted using only water (no chemicals) and isn't bleached.

I use honey, maple syrup or Agave Nectar as my other sweeteners. (Natural sweeteners)

Table sugar is not at all natural and is just as bad as the artificial sweetners and High Fructose corn syrup in terms of how processed it is, even if it does start with sugar cane, the final product in no way resembles it. I'll post a good link to how sugar is made - I just have to find it first.

I don't know if any of this makes a difference for weight loss- for me it's about the quality of what I'm putting in my body, not the impact it has on weight loss. I do try to keep overall sugars very low (10% or less of my overall calories) - that's both added sugar and the natural sugar in fruits and milk.

Mindful_Trent

Here's that link to a post on how sugar is made: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/119250-how-sugar-is-made

Adsnwfld

artificial sweeteners are just that...artificial. Some have been liked with cancer, others don't always react with your body well, like sugar alcohol. Honey is a good substitute for some things. Their have been numerous studies on diet drinks actually contributing to weight gain not weight loss. It involves how your body processes the artificial stuff.

So I would stick with sugar or honey, avoid like the plague the things with high fructose corn syrup and things like that. It isn't easy but it is worth it.

Mindful_Trent

artificial sweeteners are just that...artificial. Some have been liked with cancer, others don't always react with your body well, like sugar alcohol. Honey is a good substitute for some things. Their have been numerous studies on diet drinks actually contributing to weight gain not weight loss. It involves how your body processes the artificial stuff.

So I would stick with sugar or honey, avoid like the plague the things with high fructose corn syrup and things like that. It isn't easy but it is worth it.

See the post I made about sugar (linked to above) - it's just as processed and "unnatural" as High Fructose corn syrup. We are much better sticking with honey and maple syrup, and possibly agave nectar (I don't know as much about agave - so I'm not completely sure on that one).

stinago

I always love using things like honey or maple syrup because they are natural, rather than chemically processed. Also, whenever I have artificial sweeteners, I find that I crave more and more sweets. When I have a sweet snack with honey, maple syrup, or agave, I satisfy my craving. Also, I've read that things like honey have other natural benefits to your body too. There may be more calories, but in the long run, I'm okay with that over potential health issues from artificial sweeteners.