Artificial Sweeteners

MelissaSel

There are so many things said about artificial sweeteners, that I just have to believe what my body tells me about them. First of all, in using artificial sweeteners I have so many more options to reduce my calorie intake. However, one thing I read that is definitely true for me is that artificial sweeteners make you crave sweets. I notice when I am consuming artificial sweeteners I can't get enough sweets, and will do anything for them! So... I am trying to avoid them as best I can, however my favorite protein powder has sucralose (last ingredient listed). Does anyone else try to avoid them? Even the "all natural" artificial sweeteners have the same effect.

cherryObebe

I don't have that effect with Stevia products. I don't know what other natural sweeteners there are besides sugar. Splenda is even an artificial sweetener -> Sucralose.

Tiffanydepiano

They don't make me crave sweets. They actually stave off those cravings for me. They give me terrible heartburn thought.

mandypizzle

I absolutely think it's best to avoid them altogether. They are not good for you, they kind of trick your body and make you crave sugary things more. I only use real sweeteners but very sparingly. We use, Raw sugar, Agave and Raw honey.

g_warne

I find they work for me. Certainly don't cause me to crave sweets and help me get my sweet fix once in awhile.

NYCDutchess

Stevia is supposed to be the best one for you.

slicksps

I always find it's a persona choice. I use something called 'Half spoon' which is basically half sugar, half sweetener and therefore half the calories. I can virtually tell you which sweetener or sugar has been put in my coffee, half spoon is enough sugar to trick me In terms of craving sweets, I always followed a golden rule given to me by a nutritionist client; If you need sugar, eat an apple. It's sweet, high in sugars and a good GI. If you still need sugar afterwards, eat another apple. Fruits are a great sweet substitute, especially as most sweets are aimed at tasting like fruits anyway! manderines are great because they're very sweet and only 40 cals or less. Apples are great if there's some hunger as well.

Sidonas

I have fibromyalgia. Artificial sweeteners cause me to have fibromyalgia "attacks". Basically, I lose all of my energy and start to hurt (where varies). I personally find that the way artificial sweeteners combine with my body is negative.

XXXMinnieXXX

I joined a soda free september challenge, I included sugar free cordial, as it has the sweetners. I don't drink tea or cofee, so it is just water for me. Found it really hard at first, but I've got used to it and just don't crave it anymore. It definately used to make me crave more sugar. My weight loss has been quicker too since cutting it out. Definately a good move. The only time I'd drink fizzy pop or cordial is if I went for a meal or night out, this only happens once every couple of months. I feel its a really really good decision though! X

2Bstrong

I don't have that effect with Stevia products. I don't know what other natural sweeteners there are besides sugar. Splenda is even an artificial sweetener -> Sucralose.

Sweet Leaf Stevia plus or agave nectar were the two sweeteners I was told are okay to use. Neither contain aspartame/nutra-sweet or saccharine which are horrible for your health (you can look them up online and find oodles of information). The Stevia is my choice. It takes a bit to get used to, but since stopping all sodas, including diet sodas, I use stevia to sweeten my iced tea or lemonade. Also, I like to sprinkle a very tiny bit in berries to make them extra juicy. A little bit goes a long way. The "plus" in the name stands for natural fiber in stevia. I also recommend NOT getting the combo brands that are half sugar or half something else. Anyway, I hope this helped.

MIMITIME

I do not use them. If I need some sweet, I use a little real sugar. Most any artificial sweetner I have tried either gives me a head ache, gives whatever a bitter taste or causes nausea. There is one diet cola I can drink but rarely do and another diet cola that makes me very sick which I never drink.

Victoriav99

I don't get it... I use splenda for my coffee, yoghurts, and I drink diet soda and I never really crave sweets or want to eat more...I've read articles that its bad for you and can cause weight gain, but I can say that's not the case for me. I do plan to switch to stevia once I'm done with all my splenda because I've been told its much better for you. Good luck on your weight loss journey.

MelissaSel

Splenda is the worst for me... I call it the devil!

shadowfx

From what I've read over the last few years, my understanding is that artificial sweeteners can cause damage to brain cells and the neuro-transmitters within and also affect the healthy function of the Pancreas.

If my mother's example of lifelong obesity causing diabetes and the subsequent 30 years of artificial sweetener use is anything to go by, I'll quite happily pass on them and learn to live without sweetness (hubby says I'm sweet enough anyway LOL) - Mum now also has Alzheimers Disease as well as Type 2 Diabetes. Still feel like a Diet Coke?

MissMay87

http://health.msn.com/healthy-living/the-4-best-and-3-worst-sweeteners-to-have-in-your-kitchen?imageindex=1

I use splenda everyday in my tea, and sometimes if I get a craving for it I will have a diet coke. It doesn't make me crave more sugary foods, and as far as I'm concerned you can pry my chemical sweetener out of my cold, dead hand

HMonsterX

Stevia is supposed to be the best one for you.

Wow, if this is the "best" one...

Stevia has been linked to several long term side effects which has made it a reason for controversy and doubt in the recent years. Although it has been used since centuries by the natives, there are several claimed dangers of stevia. The following are some of the claimed dangers or side effects of stevia.

* Firstly, it is said to be the biggest hindrance in the process of metabolism in the body. Regular consumption of stevia slows down or stops energy metabolism and hence, disrupt the process of conversion of food into energy.

* Secondly, one of the biggest stevia dangers is its link to cancer. When tested in a laboratory, it was found that stevia was capable of bringing mutations in cell's DNA or the genetic material. This is only a claimed side effect as this effect has not been observed in human beings till date. However, scientists and researchers have still not confirmed whether stevia can cause this mutation in human beings or not.
* Thirdly, difficulties or problems in reproduction is also believed to be one of the stevia side effects. Long term regular consumption of stevia is claimed to affect the male reproduction system, specially leading to a decreased amount of sperm production. When tested on female animal, it was found that stevia led to decreased number of offsprings.

I use sweeteners in my tea, replacing the sugar i used to have. Not only does it save me 600+ calories, I've also never felt fitter, stronger, or healthier!

lynn1982

I used to be a really big proponent of artificial sweeteners (there was a time when I was drinking 4-5 diet cokes a day!). Then I spent a year abroad where the diet coke tasted different because it didn't use aspartame and the only sweetener available in coffee shops was raw cane sugar. After ten months of living that way, I came home and tried my aspartame-laced diet coke - not only did it taste awful to me, but I had the worst headache. Then I tried splenda in my coffee and again my head started pounding. Maybe it was a coincidence, but I haven't touched an artificial sweetener since. I understand it helps people lose weight (20 years ago, my mom lost 40 pounds by switching to sweet n' low), but something about willingly ingesting chemicals just doesn't sit right with me anymore...

Victoriav99

Geez! If stevia is bad for you then we are screwed to begin With... Seems like everything is bad for you these days!

tammylwv

The topic of sweetners should be researched on an individual basis. I have done so for personal reasons. Stevia and Agave are all natural sweetners. Both are sweeter than sugar. Stevia is a lot sweeter.

The reason for my researching is to be more healthier. All the artificial sweetners are chemically modified and processed which means you are ingesting chemicals into your body. Diet drinks lead to osteoporosis and seen in teenage girls. Also, the reason or weight gain in some is because it tricks the body into thinking it is eating something sweet so it kicks in and produces insulin and all that jazz.

A sugar is that less processed is turbinado sugar called Sugar in the Raw. I recently just bought agave nectar to use. Some people use 100% maple syrup for sweetening as well.

HMonsterX

Geez! If stevia is bad for you then we are screwed to begin With... Seems like everything is bad for you these days!

Exactly my point. Take everything you see saying X is bad for you with a pinch of metaphorical salt tbh.

UltraRunnerGale

Chemicals are bad for you.....

MelissaSel

You save 600 calories a day by using artificial sweeteners? One teaspoon of sugar has 16 calories. I'm guessing you are speaking of soda? I sure hope so because I have a HUGE sweet tooth but couldn't imagine that many calories worth of sugar! lol

So many things, good and bad, have been written about artificial sweeteners. I think we have to look at our own selves to determine if it's beneficial to consume artificial sweeteners or not. For those who can consume them with no problems, I'm jealous! lol

MelissaSel

I would also like to know more about agave nectar from those of you using it. Taste? Comparison to regular cane sugar? Etc...

shannon_stallone

I absolutely love truvia! I've been using it for a couple months in my coffee and tea...The other stuff just gave me a horrible headache which sent red flags up

Pebble321

I try to avoid them because I don't like the taste. And I think I'd rather have a reasonable portion of the real thing (that applies to other foods too) than lots of low cal substitutes. For me, it seems like a better long term strategy to teach myself portion control with real food rather than making it ok to eat too much of something just because it doesn't have many cals.
But, like everything else it's personal choice, you have to work out what suits your body and goals and lifestyle.

MelissaSel

Rubybelle, you make so much sense! True portion control and long lasting habits are so important! Thank you for saying it that way!

99Tinkerbell

I have also stopped using them. I have switched to sugar in the raw. I can't stand the chemicals anymore.

XXXMinnieXXX

I have fibromyalgia. Artificial sweeteners cause me to have fibromyalgia "attacks". Basically, I lose all of my energy and start to hurt (where varies). I personally find that the way artificial sweeteners combine with my body is negative.

I hav fybromyalgia too. Have cut out diet fizzy pop and cordial, don't dreak tea or coffee either and my fybros been miles better until the last few days. Didn't realise the link. Thanks x

sugarbone

I use little bits of stevia here and there. It has been used for DECADES in other countries, and nothing negative about it has been proven (yet). All the studies are ambiguous. Because of the "yet", though, I keep my intake minimal. A sprinkle in my coconut fudge pops, a wheatmeal pancake recipe, etc. It does come from a plant, but some grain stevia brands (made to look like sugar instead of a liquid extract) have extra unwanted ingredients.

Read up and decide for yourself.

HMonsterX

You save 600 calories a day by using artificial sweeteners? One teaspoon of sugar has 16 calories. I'm guessing you are speaking of soda? I sure hope so because I have a HUGE sweet tooth but couldn't imagine that many calories worth of sugar! lol

Roughly a cup of tea every hour, each with 2-3 sugars in, depending on mood.

Yes...i know NOW... :P

mandypizzle

I LOVE agave!! To me it has a taste in between sugar and honey. But it tastes REAL and sweet. No nasty after taste or bad side effects.

I would also like to know more about agave nectar from those of you using it. Taste? Comparison to regular cane sugar? Etc...