splenda- Sabatoge or not?

calabrdm

I just got done reading a book about the harm of artifical sweetner to our insulin levels. Has anyone cut is out of their diet? Did you see positive weight loss results?

April0815

I don't use any artificial sweetners.

prohappy

I've heard about this before, apparently it has adverse effects with arthritis as well. My grandmother is a health freak and had bad joint pains when she used it, she's stopped and feels a lot better.

Just think, if it's not natural, it's not healthy.

Kanderson47

Hey what was the name of that book you read??? Thanks!

calabrdm

I read the Jillian Michael. Master your metabolism. Basically... it say only eat things that grow from the ground or from a mother. It is pretty informative.

Kendra7107

This is off topic a bit but I think one of the reasons I have been successful this time is I am eating more FRESH fruits and veggies. I am stopping at the grocery store and Farmer's Market a couple of times a week but it's worth it.

Like many of you, I have tried different types of diets and cutting back, etc. I used to eat a lot of the packaged meals for lunch, can soups because they are low in calorie, etc. I was working hard but never losing anything. I think it was all the artificial stuff I was eating that hindered my progress. The only thing I am doing this time around is eating fresher.

Nich0le

FYI, splenda was discovered when scientists were trying to find an eco friendly, child safe pest control spray. It has been linked to headaches, joint problems and increase in arthritic pain. You body does not recognize splenda or any other artificial sweetner as REAL and it gets stored in the liver, gall bladder etc. Your body also doesn't recognize it as sugar so you will continue to CRAVE sugary or starchy foods to get your insulin levels normal.

The closer your food comes from the ORIGINAL source the better. There is nothing wrong with SUGAR, your body knows what to do with it and like all other real foods you need to eat it/ drink it in moderation. If you need more sugar than a daily allowance you are eating or drinking too many sugary foods to begin with and need to rethink your overall diet plan.

pattitricia85

i know this isn't true for everyone, and of course there are exceptions. But i noticed most of the people at my work that are overweight eat Lean Cuisine and Healthy choice frozen meals every day for lunch! I used to eat them all the time and i got so sick of them (and i NEVER lost weight when i ate them) I know a lot of people on here might eat them... they are conveniant and don't taste so bad.... not trying to offend anyone. But its just something i noticed at work

totallytasha

I know my boyfriend doesn't touch aspertame. Makes him moodier than me

Kanderson47

Okay Im not using splenda anymore..........nothing in my coffee except creamer............:laugh:

paulamma1

I don't use any artificial sweetners.

Ditto

Mlbnyy2

Okay Im not using splenda anymore..........nothing in my coffee except creamer............:laugh:

I think I am with you on that I guess a half tablespoon of sugar if needed!!!!

mnichol

I've haven't used splenda for a long time. I use Truvia. Try it, it tastes like sugar. So far there's no bad report about it. I only use it in my coffee in the morning.

JoyousMaximus

Other than the occasional diet coke (I don't like the taste of regular), I only have real sugar because if I don't want it enough to eat the full calories I don't want it that much. Besides, we are exposed to enough crap as it is why expose ourselves to extra willingly?

nancym

As a gastric bypass post-op I use Splenda in my day. I am familiar with over 23,000 post-ops at just one bariatric website where most every one uses Splenda daily. Some more than others.
Unfortunately, it is common practice for one company to sponsor a "report" talking about how bad a certain product or all products are bad for us except theirs. This can create a hysteria for some. But most artificial sweeteners are safe to use in moderation. The only problem using too much might be explosive diarrhea...which is lesson enough for me.
There is a protein powder company out there that essentially says the same thing. Use only our product or else...Yet doing bloodwork using my preference of high quality bariatric post-op protein powder proves I am doing
things right. I will not suffer my health because I don't use theirs and theirs only.
One of the important things about any lifestyle is to not overdo it with any one thing. Moderation and variety keeps us healthier than concentrating on just one thing. Even bariatric post-ops.
Good luck

July24Lioness

As a gastric bypass post-op I use Splenda in my day. I am familiar with over 23,000 post-ops at just one bariatric website where most every one uses Splenda daily. Some more than others.
Unfortunately, it is common practice for one company to sponsor a "report" talking about how bad a certain product or all products are bad for us except theirs. This can create a hysteria for some. But most artificial sweeteners are safe to use in moderation. The only problem using too much might be explosive diarrhea...which is lesson enough for me.
There is a protein powder company out there that essentially says the same thing. Use only our product or else...Yet doing bloodwork using my preference of high quality bariatric post-op protein powder proves I am doing
things right. I will not suffer my health because I don't use theirs and theirs only.
One of the important things about any lifestyle is to not overdo it with any one thing. Moderation and variety keeps us healthier than concentrating on just one thing. Even bariatric post-ops.
Good luck

Duke University posted a study about splenda and how bad it is for you...........

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/09/splenda_study.html

Nich0le

I think that it is a personal choice for everyone. You either believe it is a safe alternative or you don't.

Personally, even stevia (truvia) has an unwanted after taste to me. I used to use a little stevia in my hot tea and now I go without any sweetner. Splenda gave me headaches, and as a severe seasonal allergy sufferer the last thing I needed was one more thing to trigger a headache or migraine.

If you choose to use artificial sweetner you need to treat it like sugar and use it in moderation but I am still pro natural choices over scientifically created foods. Keep this in mind, the healthier a food claims to be the more unhealthy it becomes.

Marketers get paid to tell us what we want to hear to drive us to purchase increasingly unhealthy products from our local grocers. Remember that too, next time you are purchasing over priced yogurt for it's "health" benefits........wasn't yogurt always healthy...sorry a bit off topic but you should get the point.

nobleps

I have to say I use splenda a little. I like it with oatmeal in the morning. Compared to the addicting properties of sugar ...it ain't nothin! Sugar is what turns to fat on our bodies along with the simple carbs. Especially as you get heavier or yoyo diet. Your body may just start storing it everytime you use , or especially over use it. I for one have to stay away from sugar...I don't want the taste to start the crave. :explode: I don't believe that a little bit of splenda is going to hurt you more than sugar.:flowerforyou:

Demetria

I wish I could remember where I learned this but basically the study said that when you use artificial sweeteners, somehow your brain like wants more or real sugar. So you still end up going overboard somehow in the sugar department. Something to that effect.

I think our bodies might have to work a little harder to digest/work the artificial stuff through our systems versus naturally occuring sugar.

I think if you use artificial sweeteners in moderation you should be okay, it's probably the people who are taking in too much that are having the side effects.

And again you have to see who is funding the study and look at how it is done, it could be the competition or a nonbiased form paying for it. Look at all of the sides and don't just take their word for it.

I like Truvia, It is from the Stevia plant, so it is not artificial. I still need to research it more. I only use it with my green tea and only 1 packet for 1 cup. So I try not to overdo it and I am watching everything else I am eating for hidden added sugars.

Natural sugar from fruits, veggies, dairy products I don't worry about. And taking in a lot of dietary fiber helps your body control the rate at which your body digests and or burns the sugar, I think.

Just remember our bodies need some sugar to function, it is the first thing our bodies go to burn energy.

I have to object to what noblefairy said "Sugar is what turns to fat on our bodies along with the simple carbs" I don't think that is totally accurate. Anything you eat more of than what your body uses/burns turns to stored fat i.e. protein, carbs, and of course fat. Sugar is a simple carb.

Just wanted to clarify not to offend.

Demetria

Demetria

I read the Jillian Michael. Master your metabolism. Basically... it say only eat things that grow from the ground or from a mother. It is pretty informative.

Just like with medical studies you have to find out where did she got that information from. Was it a reputable source, when was the study conducted and so on.

Don't just take their word for it.

Yes, the best things to eat are what God gave us in the first place but science has come a long way so there may be alternatives that would be good too.

Demetria

Fieldsy

I used to be a splenda freak....love the stuff

but just in case if it is really harmful, I cut it down a lot......still have it in my diet though

use in moderation, like everything else