I think crystal lite is part of my problem?

Laurawash30

I drink almost a gallon of crystal lite ice tea everyday. After watching the tips of the five worst things for our body- I think the crystal lite hes been one of my possible issues over the past few year. What do people think?

andreaeose777

Yup that stuff is terrible for you. Do some more research on it, its quite astounding the number of diseaeses artificial sweetners are linked too.

amanda52488

Just curious, how does crystal light correlate with one of the worst things for our bodies?

I drink usually 16 oz of crystal light a day, a gallon does seem like a lot, but idk!

Missi3601

i use the little crystal lite packets for bottled water- 2 a day sometimes. Doesnt seem to be an issue for me.... hope you get the answer you need!

mes1119

I get straight up sick if I drink a lot of crystal light. It really messes with my tummy.

AvonLucyR

All I can tell you is that I, personally, can't handle the artificial sweetner. It makes me suffer intense migraines. I have often heard diet drinks keep you from losing weight though... :flowerforyou:

Atrayu

From all the things I have read over the years, artificial sweeteners interfere with fat burning. Something about the liver having to filter them out. One way to find out, cut out the crystal lite for a week and see what happens.

sabram2147

Some say that any artificial sweetner is treated by the body the same as sugar.

TrailRunner61

I've been drinking it since the early 80's with no problems..

stylistchik

Moderation is key to almost everything and a gallon sounds like a lot. You could make regular unsweetened iced tea and mix the two (less artificial ingredients) or dilute it slowly so you're getting in more water and less crystal light. It's probably better than drinking soda or even diet soda all day but too many artificial sweeteners and other junk can mess up your system over time.

lgomez75

what i did almost 3 weeks ago...I cut out diet soda (was having about 5 cans a day)...then I decided to cut out everything that had Diet or Light in it (because after reading the labels most of those things contained Aspartame)

Im not a dietician but have read it can make you real bloated.
Ive noticed a difference.

I now drink water or unsweetened tea with Stevia.

Hope this helps.

glennstoudt

Try something else. Special K protein/fiber powder 5 g's of each mix with water. Water with lemon or lime wedges is zero calories. I can't think of any reason to drink a gallon of anything a day can be good. Even if it's just water, depending on your body weight, you are at like double what you really need daily to satisfy hydration requirements under most ordinary circumstances.

frosty73

It could be. I found that diet soda was making me hungry and I usually paired up the sweet addiction with salt and fat (i.e. burger and fries). It was a terrible cycle for me. The easiest way for me to break it was to give up diet soda. I switched over to Crystal Light and I've been doing much better, but everyone is different. Some people think the fake sugar doesn't affect them, but I know it does affect me.

rjt1000

what i did almost 3 weeks ago...I cut out diet soda (was having about 5 cans a day)...then I decided to cut out everything that had Diet or Light in it (because after reading the labels most of those things contained Aspartame)

Im not a dietician but have read it can make you real bloated.
Ive noticed a difference.

I now drink water or unsweetened tea with Stevia.

Hope this helps.

after 3 weeks, have you noticed any change in your weight loss? You say you noticed "a difference", what difference did you notice?

lgomez75

I dont retain water. I have the ever so popular mommy tummy but I always looked like I had just had Thanksgiving dinner.
Im thin, dont get me wrong...but my belly would not budge.

When I dropped the soda (and boy was it hard...I have been drinking diet since I was 15) I noticed Im getting more definition in my abdominal area. I do yoga, run, zumba, and am going to add spin as of tomorrow...so its nice to see the exercise pay off in the tummy area..not just everywhere else.

This may not be the case for everyone, but I can tell you I dont miss it anymore. My mom was drinking diet soda but I thought it was tea, and when I took a sip it literally tasted bad. And I have never been one to pass up a cold, diet fountain drink of any kind )

roanne70

Stevia is awesome and natural. Tru lemon and crystal light have the packets for bottled water with stevia now. Try that.

carld256

I'd have to see real scientific studies showing that artificial sweeteners are harmful. So far all the studies that I've heard of say that artificial sweeteners, except saccharin, are safe for human consumption.

Shayztar

I was drinking Nestea juice shakers since I started MFP in January. That's about 3 1/2 months now. I drank them seriously diluted. Then I noticed they became less diluted. Then I realized I was going thru 3 packets a day from just one. For a little change up, I bought that new MiO stuff. That very day I started feeling really sick. Nauseous, dizzy, tired. Went on a weekend trip where I didn't bring any. I just drank plain water. Started to feel better, so I thought maybe I had a flu or something. Then I got back home and started drinking MiO and Splenda sweetened drinks again. BAM. Sick all over again. Then I started reading all about Splenda toxicity. Not a good thing. Serious side effects. Sometimes they happen immediately, sometimes over time. One of the most common side effects is bloating, diarreah, and nausea. I read a story about a guy who is planning on suing Splenda because he now has proof that sucralose makes him lose his hair. HAIR LOSS! Needless to say, I have stopped with the Crystal Lights, MiO, Splenda, everything fake. My cals are up from sugar in my coffee, but I'm not sick anymore. It's been 48 hours since my last drink of Splenda. Funny how I see all of these topics being posted about the dangers of Splenda all of a sudden. I guess that's kind of like how you buy a new car, and then you see them all over the road.

keem88

i'm cautious about artificial things, but i put it in my body anyway.
a gallon of crystal light a day though, that sounds like it may be bad.

poedunk65

Crystal light is less than 5 calories and no caffiene. DOn't believe everything you hear and 1/2 the things you read. Ihave been drinking it for years and I am still here aND AM IN GOOD HEALTH!

agbaeb

I agree with all these responses. I have felt so much better after cutting out all artificial sweeteners since February. I think it's helps my water retention actually!

lgomez75

poe has a point...with the tea I drink (while I avoid aspartame) it does have caffeine.

to each their own.

tvnq

i really dont know about drinking crystal lite. I used to drink it all the time, until i saw what it did to the glass i used to drink it. It didnt necessarily stain the glass but it left this white kinda dinge to it. it would wash off true, but after seeing what it did to the glass kinda made me think what is it doing to my body? i dunno maybe it was just the powder seperating but it was enough to turn me off of crystal lite

superdrood

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3 to 5 cans of diet soda a day and down 50 pounds and at my goal weight.

I'm willing to bet if someone is having trouble with their weight loss goals there are more substantial things they could be scrutinizing than a zero calorie beverage.

kriskoeh

I don't personally like anything containing artificial sweetener. It's just not for me. But if you think you'll have a problem giving it up, why don't you consider an infusion pitchers (found on amazon) and try infusing your own tea with fruit flavors. Much better for you!!

DonnaRe2012

chemicals are NEVER good for you !! :noway:

tsh0ck

Yup that stuff is terrible for you. Do some more research on it, its quite astounding the number of diseaeses artificial sweetners are linked too.

mmmkay.

DterMined2012

All I can tell you is that I, personally, can't handle the artificial sweetner. It makes me suffer intense migraines. I have often heard diet drinks keep you from losing weight though... :flowerforyou:

I can tell you that until I gave up diet soda I couldn't lose a pound but when I quit drinking 4 12oz cans/day and added water I have lost 10 lbs :happy:

anna_lisa

Actually artifical sweetners like aspartame and saccharin have been studied extensively and there has not been any significant research that has linked them to any major diseases. However, there is some current research that suggests it does affect portions of the brain (in the brain) similar to drinks sweetened with regular sugars. However this research has been limited to rats and have been unable to be replicated in primate studies. I agree with Poe, don't believe everything you read at least unless it can be backed up by reputable research. However, each person is different and you notice a personal difference than do what is better for you. I did see a comment about headaches and some people that drink these sweeteners have reported this but there is no long term significant issues associated with these artificial sweeteners and for the most part are considered safe.
I only comment because I do study this stuff.

I would also say that a diet that is as natural as possible is probably the best. i.e. Michael Pollen's Food Rules.

anna_lisa

Also, the problem with diet soda is typically not the artificial sweetner but the added sodium that is associated with it.

kristinL16

It could be. I found that diet soda was making me hungry and I usually paired up the sweet addiction with salt and fat (i.e. burger and fries). It was a terrible cycle for me. The easiest way for me to break it was to give up diet soda. I switched over to Crystal Light and I've been doing much better, but everyone is different. Some people think the fake sugar doesn't affect them, but I know it does affect me.

Diet soda has the same sweetener as Crystal Light.