Help me overcome splenda

PibblesRun

So, in light of the many threads written on splenda the past few days it has lead me to do some research of my own and OMG...I dont ever want to use this stuff again. Now I know why I always have stomach cramps and headaches etc... I told myself this yesterday...and this morning i put splenda in my coffee :grumble:

I cant seem to overcome the need for using it! I need my coffee...and I cant drink it black! I can avoid using it in other things, like my oatmeal and yogurt. They wont taste as good but im sure ill get used to the taste. I cant get used to the taste of black coffee though! How can I overcome my addiction to crappy chemical????

melsinct

Use real sugar? It is only 15 calories per teaspoon.

susanswan

Truvia is stevia. Acts like sugar in your coffee. Doesn't give you a glucose spike or chemicals. It is a natural plant source. Agave is good, too.

PibblesRun

Yes, I was looking into stevia...but some research ive done on that as well said studies on rats have shown it causes infertility...but thats just a rat study, they havent done enough studies to determine what effect it has on humans...But its a better option than splenda...I heard it has a nasty taste though As for regular sugar, id rather avoid it. Causes insuliine spikes and what not. Sigh...guess ill just have to hold my breath and gulp my coffee! lol

SideSteel

I'd make an attempt at eliminating ONLY the artificial sweetener from your diet and hold everything else constant (including caffeine intake) and see if your headache goes away.

Artificial sweeteners can cause that, but it's not as common as you would think.

If you DON'T have any side effects, it's fine to consume at reasonable doses.

taylor5877

If you DON'T have any side effects, it's fine to consume at reasonable doses.

"Reasonable" of course means being tested at about 10 times the amount you think a person would be capable of consuming (after safety factors).

rml_16

Use real sugar? It is only 15 calories per teaspoon.

Yes.

PibblesRun

Even at reasonable doses its been linked to all kinds of health problems. Id just rather avoid it...one study said the molecules of the chemicals resemble that of pesticides and other toxic crap. Eck...

SideSteel

Even at reasonable doses its been linked to all kinds of health problems. Id just rather avoid it...one study said the molecules of the chemicals resemble that of pesticides and other toxic crap. Eck...

I'm all for you making your own decisions but aspartame is composed of two amino acids (phenylalanine and aspartic acid) and a digestive byprouct is methanol. None of these are harmful given reasonable dosage and you're ingesting these if you eat chicken breast or bananas anyways.

(EDIT; If you have PKU you should avoid it!).

I'd be happy to look at any actual research you have. The research I've read (not blog posts from alarmist orthorexics -- actual research) suggests that:

a) If it gives you migraines, avoid it.
b) If not, you should be safe consuming under the ADI which, in terms of diet soda, is quite high (a case/day? I'd have to re-check this for accuracy).

Again, you can and absolutely should do as you please, but research indicates it's quite safe.

niftyafterfifty

I would use a little sugar or stevia. I would avoid truvia because it has been altered somewhat; it's not pure stevia.

minizebu

Rice milk is naturally sweet. I use it in coffee instead of milk and then I don't need to add any other sweetener. You could use in your oatmeal, as well.

(Make sure to look at the label and buy a rice milk that does not have any added sugars.)