Splenda: Yes or no?

crlyxx

I haven't heard too much terrible regarding it, compared to Equal/Sweet n' Low, etc. but what do you guys think? I've been putting it in my lattes just so I wouldn't have to deal with those extra calories that come with sugar or honey, but is it all that great, really? I've heard better ravings for stevia lately. Would that be a better alternative?

missshadowlovely

I try to use natural sweeteners in place of it, but some times it can't be avoided.
I'm ALWAYS catching grief from people for drinking and eating things with Splenda because it's supposedly terrible for you.
But I think like most things, you're gonna hear both sides of the argument.

gillesse

I personally stay away from artificial sweeteners. I'd rather have extra calories from honey than using splenda or the like. But that's just my personal preference.

sarahg148

I just went from Equal to Splenda. I heard Splenda isn't AS bad for you...but I could be wrong. :ohwell:

Casilibre

I live in Mexico, and it's the only sugar alternative I've found. I eat it daily in my morning coffee, the Quaker oatmeal I eat has it also. I am still alive & losing weight. Everything in moderation. I think they feed the lab rats like 7000X the normal serving to see what happens....

LavenderBouquet

I think the key is to use any kind of artificial sweetener as little as possible. Personally, I think that Stevia is getting all the attention right now because it's new, not because it's necessarily better in any way.

quiltlovinlisa

I heard on the news (and of course I have no links or anything to support this) that the chemical make up never breaks down, meaning it goes right through you, into the sewer systems and eventually into the environment which frankly scares the crap out of me.

For that reason alone, I avoid it like the plague. The thought of accumulating artificial chemicals on our delicate ecosystem just makes me ill. Personally I've been using liquid stevia when I want to use a non-calorie option to sweeten my tea.

olDave

All you can do is try it and see if you like it.

quiltlovinlisa

I think the key is to use any kind of artificial sweetener as little as possible. Personally, I think that Stevia is getting all the attention right now because it's new, not because it's necessarily better in any way.

Stevia has been around for years, it's just now getting popular. The difference with stevia is it's truly a more natural alternative with the source of sweetness coming from plants and not a lab.

Cassea7

YeS Stevia is all natural and is ZERO calories..It will not harm your body

I ate artificial sweetners for many years and i believe that they caused me many health problems..
I advise staying clear of them completely

HeidiCooksSupper

I've consumed many artificial sweeteners over the years but I now avoid them except in an occasional Diet Coke. There is research out there that, at least for some of us, artificial sweeteners are a hunger trigger. The body gets the trigger of sweetness and gets all fired up to digest food. When nothing digestible is forthcoming, hunger rages. I found this was true for me. I allow myself an occasional Diet Coke but I talk to tummy/brain about it and tell it to cool it about the hunger. On evenings I don't think it's a fight I can win, I avoid the Diet Coke. Unsweetened, flavored seltzers overcome the soda cravings.

Jonesie1984

I use it. I'm sure compared to all the other crap food I was putting in my body before I still have to be doing better than I was lol.. moderation is the key in anything.

fluffy925

Works good for me

rayvynn5374

A little story. About 12 years ago my husband and i started using Splenda in coffee or tea. Fast forward to 7 years ago, husband got extremely sick was in hospital for 17 days. Continued use of splenda. about 5 years ago I got sick went to many specialists finally wound up having 2 sphincter of odditomys performed. Continued use. Immediately after the first SOD I became EXTREMELY allergic to berries, bananas, and tomatoes. Continued use of Splenda. About 2 years ago my husband came across a news article that listed the many side effects. Hum..gastro issues and sudden food allergies. Stopped use and within 6 months we have had no more gastro problems or food allergies. Coincidence???
Splenda is made with Chlorine like they put in a swimming pool. It doesn't digest and well we aren't meant to consume chlorine. 10 years of consuming chlorine..I could have filled a swimming pool... Olympic sized!
Also to note a lot of citrus drinks contain Bromeniated Vegetable Oil or BVO. I put bromine in my hot tub DAILY!!!

hyenagirl

I use it in my coffee, on some berries, or in a smoothie. Doesn't trigger hunger for me.

Rocknut53

Sweets have always been my downfall. Since starting this trip in January I have pretty much weaned myself from sugary foods and have found no need to add artificial sweeteners as a substitute. I do like a little honey or agave syrup in my tea, moderation!

mkinney07

Artificial sweeteners can be bad for you long-term. They have carcinogenic qualities. Also, like sugar, artificial sweeteners raise insulin levels in your body. Though they are less than 1 calorie per serving, like carbs and sugars, when your insulin levels rise quickly, it triggers your body to store fat. I would suggest using stevia. I hear that it does not spike your insulin levels like other artificial sweeteners. I also like to use natural sweeteners like honey or agave nectar. Though it isn't calorie free, it is lower calorie than sugar.

JoanB5

Stevia is plant based and a natural sweetener, not an artificial one. It may have a few calories, I don't recall.

Splenda: yes for me, for my short-term dieting needs. I don't have extra calories to waste, and I only use it for coffee and tea. I figure it's better than colas.

I hope to transition to stevia and natural sweeteners after I get to goal and move toward maintenance.

rdarabos

if you do not like artificial sweeteners, use honey the body breaks that down differently then sugar , or use just plain sugar its only 15 cal per tsp. and watch how much you use

dad106

There is Splenda in the Pepsi Next that I drink, and so far I haven't noticed any crazy side effects.

I think it affects everyone differently to be honest. My mom can't have Aspartame because she's allergic. I, on the other hand, can have almost all artificial sweeteners and have no adverse reactions.

bluntlysally

i used to use splenda a LOT = too much. my insides suffered for sure. had to do some prep work for all of the digestive tests (medical) i was having done and cut out splenda by chance. i think the fact that i didn't go back to it plus started taking pro-biotics is what finally got my insides better.

so, i can't really recommend splenda by name. if you do choose to use it, please use it sparingly.

i've recently started using truvia (a version of stevia) and haven't had any problems yet - but i am using it MUCH more sparingly.

i use the powdered drink mixes (crystal light, etc) so they have a little bit of artificial sweeteners in them. having max two single packets a day isn't that much (and i use 32 oz of water per each). i am not a water drinker, so i have to get myself to drink somehow!