The "other" truth about artificial sweeteners.

SiltyPigeon

I've been hearing a lot about how diet foods and artificial sugars stimulate further craving for sweets. I don't doubt it. I don't know about the rest of you, though, but I crave sweets anyways. Doesn't matter if I have real sugar, fake sugar, or no sugar; I crave sweet things once in a while. That doesn't mean I am going to go hold up a Ben & Jerry's or eat an entire pound cake with butter cream frosting. I'm still counting my calories. I'm not binging. I'm not gaining all the weight I've lost back just because I indulged in half a 100 calorie pack. I have self control.

Artificial Sweeteners aren't natural. Neither are aspirin, penicillin, or birth control. Vaccinations have saved millions of lives. Is cheese considered natural? It doesn't occur "naturally" in nature without human hands, does it? I really like cheese. You know what IS natural? Tobacco, marijuana, caffeine, hemlock, arsenic, e coli, mushrooms, and those little red tree frogs they make poison darts from, lol. I hear you shouldn't lick those.

Maybe I can't pronounce the ingredients, but cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol are difficult to pronounce. Those are two of the five forms of Vitamin D. Thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), folic acid or folate (B9), and cobalamin (B12) are all difficult to pronounce, also. Iodine is added to salt to prevent goiters. Does anyone else have trouble saying rhinoceros? It never sounds quite right. I might try a rhinoceros burger if I had the chance.

My snack might have more than three ingredients. So does beef stew. I wonder how many ingredients your tap water has?

Just because I eat a snack with man made, artificial ingredients doesn't mean I won't lose weight or that I'll become sick. Too much aspartame probably makes you sick. Did you know that too much water, apples, or oxygen can kill you? Everything in moderation, people. That's what calorie counting is all about, right? Learning self control... even when your diet pepsi makes you crave cake.

NikkisNewStart

Best. Post. EVER.

Aticus

Well said.

That_Girl

Aspartame makes my TMJ flare up. I know because when I cut it out of my system, I was pain free within 2 days (this having been in pain for 2 years 24/7 and almost having surgery).

Do what you want, it doesn't mean artificial sweeteners are good for everyone, or that they are healthy at all.

Natural doesn't always equal healthy. Poop is natural, but I won't be eating it. Marijuana has many medicinal properties. I don't smoke, but my dad did when he was dying from cancer and he said it really helped with the pain (more than morphine).

Like I said, do what you what, no one will judge. At least I won't. No shame, no guilt. Do what you want and own it.

kimark1

I enjoyed this as well. Thanks for sharing. I won't feel guilty now about ingesting my artficial sweetners and processed foods.

Kjandcuttysmom

Awesome post!
shine

xxjessikatxx

nice!!!! So true.And i remeber a study on a fake sweetner you would of had to drink 400 cups a day for it to affect you lol there are more thing put into out meats and tap water like you said..

That_Girl

I enjoyed this as well. Thanks for sharing. I won't feel guilty now about ingesting my artficial sweetners and processed foods.

You shouldn't have felt guilty to begin with. It's your body, your choices.

I didn't feel guilty about the ice cream sundaes I had--- 3 days in a row LOL

Lleldiranne

Very well put!

Tamstar1985

yay! i am glad you said this! it's so true...

lizzil0

Yay! Thanks, you made me feel better about my choices.

MayMaydoesntrun

I love this post!

ande2994

Actually, penicillin is derived from mold, so it's not that different from all of the "natural" nasties you listed. If this is just a rant, no harm done, but if you're actually trying to be informative, I'm not sure I can trust it.

Traditional economic theory states that humans are rational beings who analyze each factor of a decision, weigh all alternatives, and select the item that maximizes value to the user. Modern humans are overwhelmed with WAY too much information to do this on a regular basis, so we develop mental shortcuts to get us through the day.

But MyFitnessPal causes us all to rethink those mental shortcuts we've created about food. Suddenly we're all turning cans backward on the shelves at the grocery store to see what's really in there. And we try to analyze each factor -- calories, total fat, saturated fat, sodium, sugar... not to mention ease of preparation, taste and cost.

So, we have to make tradeoffs. Are we willing to eat some unnatural ingredients in order to save a few calories? Are we willing to pay more for the low-sodium or high-fiber version? It's exhausting! And no matter which tradeoff we make, there's always someone who makes the opposite tradeoff and is willing to tell us why their choice was right.

So I can understand your frustration. In the end, maybe it really is all about moderation and what YOU feel is right for YOUR body.

AlexzKT

I enjoyed this (: It's true, too. I'm sick of people telling me about how awful my diet sodas are and that it's because they're full of chemicals that they choose to drink regular sodas.

All in moderation, indeed.

GameOn2011

I still try to avoid the chemicals...But I am a realist and know it is inevitable. But I would take the 30 calories for sugar over chemicals in my already chemical filled coffee/diet...it is one chose I can make consciously, unlike 1/2 of what I get if I eat out or buy processed foods..ugg! OOHH, the little victories we all feel so good about, this is mine.

Angela4Health

Just because you can eat something and still lose weight does not make it good for you. To each their own, you can put whatever you want in your body, but I wouldn't "encourage" people to eat things that are no good for them just because you do. That's just me though.

Schwiggity

I think I'm in love....

hjollyrn

THANK YOU! I love you!!

SiltyPigeon

Just because you can eat something and still lose weight does not make it good for you. To each their own, you can put whatever you want in your body, but I wouldn't "encourage" people to eat things that are no good for them just because you do. That's just me though.

I guess I am still waiting for the part where someone explains to me WHY they are no good for me or HOW THEY KNOW they are no good for me. Because they are man made? Because you can't pronounce the name? Because someone made fifty lab rats eat 10 times their body weight of it day after day after day until one of them became sick? Or because one or two people had a bad reaction to it (strawberries anyone)? You told me they are "no good" but didn't state why or how you know. Ya know what I mean?

hgellings

Nicely said Chica!

chevy88grl

Just because you can eat something and still lose weight does not make it good for you. To each their own, you can put whatever you want in your body, but I wouldn't "encourage" people to eat things that are no good for them just because you do. That's just me though.

I guess I am still waiting for the part where someone explains to me WHY they are no good for me or HOW THEY KNOW they are no good for me. Because they are man made? Because you can't pronounce the name? Because someone made fifty lab rats eat 10 times their body weight of it day after day after day until one of them became sick? Or because one or two people had a bad reaction to it (strawberries anyone)? You told me they are "no good" but didn't state why or how you know. Ya know what I mean?

Well. I can only say from own experience that artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame) give me HORRENDOUS headaches. Like to the point where I can't function. I avoid them because I don't want to have a headache and I tend to only get them when I consume them (same with high fructose corn syrup - everytime I eat it I feel like crap...).

We all make decisions about what we put into our bodies. I, for one, would rather put plain ole sugar into my system than something artificial -- not just because I don't really know how it is made or that it is a chemical.. simply because my body doesn't react well to it and THAT is what is important to me.

SiltyPigeon

Well. I can only say from own experience that artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame) give me HORRENDOUS headaches. Like to the point where I can't function. I avoid them because I don't want to have a headache and I tend to only get them when I consume them (same with high fructose corn syrup - everytime I eat it I feel like crap...).

We all make decisions about what we put into our bodies. I, for one, would rather put plain ole sugar into my system than something artificial -- not just because I don't really know how it is made or that it is a chemical.. simply because my body doesn't react well to it and THAT is what is important to me.

That is wonderful that you were able to pinpoint what causes your headaches and are able to avoid those triggers. My brother is deathly allergic to strawberries and my daughter, strangely enough, is allergic to pineapple. They have bad reactions to them and I would never encourage them to eat them just because I do not have a bad reaction to them. I suppose one of the points I was trying to make, though, that they would also not tell the rest of us NOT to consume strawberries or pineapple just because they have an intolerance for them. :flowerforyou:

chevy88grl

Well. I can only say from own experience that artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame) give me HORRENDOUS headaches. Like to the point where I can't function. I avoid them because I don't want to have a headache and I tend to only get them when I consume them (same with high fructose corn syrup - everytime I eat it I feel like crap...).

We all make decisions about what we put into our bodies. I, for one, would rather put plain ole sugar into my system than something artificial -- not just because I don't really know how it is made or that it is a chemical.. simply because my body doesn't react well to it and THAT is what is important to me.

That is wonderful that you were able to pinpoint what causes your headaches and are able to avoid those triggers. My brother is deathly allergic to strawberries and my daughter, strangely enough, is allergic to pineapple. They have bad reactions to them and I would never encourage them to eat them just because I do not have a bad reaction to them. I suppose one of the points I was trying to make, though, that they would also not tell the rest of us NOT to consume strawberries or pineapple just because they have an intolerance for them. :flowerforyou:

If someone asks me if they should eat/drink/etc something -- then I will tell them. But, only because I feel by asking "Should I drink diet pop?" you want my opinion. My thoughts on it. Whatever. Will I walk up to someone say "WHY ARE YOU DRINKING THAT?" No way. I have too many people who are critical of the foods I eat, I sure as heck won't do it to someone else. I know what works for me and I'll happily offer my experience with something to someone who asks. But, to preach about someone else drinking diet pop or regular pop? Nah. It's your body. Do as you want with it. Just because *I* don't do it doesn't make it wrong or right for everyone!

LisaD727

Well said. Everything in moderation. Thank you. I needed that because I tend to obsess. :happy:

kseier

Just because you can eat something and still lose weight does not make it good for you. To each their own, you can put whatever you want in your body, but I wouldn't "encourage" people to eat things that are no good for them just because you do. That's just me though.

I guess I am still waiting for the part where someone explains to me WHY they are no good for me or HOW THEY KNOW they are no good for me. Because they are man made? Because you can't pronounce the name? Because someone made fifty lab rats eat 10 times their body weight of it day after day after day until one of them became sick? Or because one or two people had a bad reaction to it (strawberries anyone)? You told me they are "no good" but didn't state why or how you know. Ya know what I mean?

it all depends on the person and the effect it has on them. for one, atrificial sweeteners give me bloat. especialyl in my mid section. i still drink pop and want to stop because of that reason. my cousin gets a stomach ache from it. no, it won't kill you. like you said, moderation. processed foods are OKAY soemtiems as long as they're accounted for and 5 out of 7 days a week you try to stay away from them ( i should walk the talk, i have such a hard time with it!) deoending on what kind of body shape you're looking for. clean foods that are grown and come from the earth help show those carved muscles. processed things leave your fat hangin on. and the cleaner you eat, the less you will crave those sweet things. just soemthing to keep in mind. but you are right! if you want itHAVE IT! jsut not all the time!

That_Girl

Damnit. Now I want a soda :laugh:

Pepsi Throwbacks are sooo dang good.

I do feel better now that I haven't had diet soda. When I taste it now, it tastes really bad. Not because I would prefer a 'real' soda, but I can taste the chemicals.

Now, I'm off to go have a beer. LOLLL :laugh: just kidding, I don't drink.

marniebigelow

As someone who has dealt first hand with aspertame poisioning, I can tell you that I will tell people only because I do care. It's not like i go down the road yelling at people for drinking or eating something that's bad for them, it's people I know and love. But here's the thing, my husband and I had never heard of such a thing until he was being diagnosed with all sorts of crazy things, like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. I mean WTH! These are crazy things right? But not at all what he had! If you look up aspertame poisoning and see what the symptoms are you might rethink your statements. But if not that's totally up to you. My point is that if your friends or family said something to you about it, it might be they just know something you didn't and were trying to protect you from being paralyzed or dying, cause those are actual symptoms of aspertame poisoning. And I would tell you just so you could make an informed decision, that's all, cause people tell people these things not to throw it in their face but to keep them safe and that's all. :flowerforyou:

benniakka

I have a super crazy sweet tooth, but I try to stick with Stevia extract for my sweetener. If I don't have any I'll reach for the Splenda, but as many have previously pointed out, everything in moderation. Everything causes cancer and other illnesses these days, so I try to stick with the natural stuff unless it's going to cause a problem with going out with friends, or burn too big a hole in my wallet. Vitamin water zero uses Stevia, and I think sobe lifewater does too, but I don't remember for sure. It's definitely up to everyone what they put in their own body though, and I don't ever want my preference to avoid processed food to cause a rift in my relationships.

CMH24

AMEN!! Like PP have said, ALL things in moderation. Diet soda gives me a headache too, if I consume too much of it. To each their own!

Thriceshy

Well said. My PA said to me, "Don't drink diet sodas with aspartame, they're bad for your diabetes." I said, "That's not what the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Diabetes Association say--where are you getting your information, because I'd be interested in reading what you've read." She couldn't provide anything she'd read, just said that it was now the "accepted" line of thought on the subject. She'd better tell the AACE and ADA that, along with the Mayo Clinic, because they don't seem to be on the same page.

I've lost 61 lbs thus far, and I have artificial sweeteners every day. When I was 15 years old, I lost 135 lbs on a diet high in saccherine-sweetened products (ew, I know), and I kept that weight off for 8 years. I'm not saying that no one is affected by artificial sweeteners, but the blanket statements are plainly inaccurate. I think it's clearly a matter of individual preferences and effects.

Kris

brocantrs

Sorry, can't help myself! Penicillin is derived from bread mold and aspirin from willow bark. Just a little trivia.