thoughts on artificial sweetners?

sc10985
sc10985 Posts: 347 Member
I drink mainly water (a lot of it), but I do love my morning coffee!! I use 1 packet of splenda per cup and I only have 1 cup per day, maybe 2. Is this a detrimental amount of splenda?? I would have to use 2-3 tsp of regular sugar to get the sweetness I prefer, which is why I reach for the splenda. I know artificial sweetners have a bad rep, but what about in moderation??
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Replies

  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
    it depends if you value health more than weight loss, or vice versa.


    If it's just 2 tsps, I'd personally go with honey or sugar
  • toaster6
    toaster6 Posts: 703 Member
    Unless you have a sensitivity to it, it's fine.

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/artificial-sweeteners/MY00073
  • eep223
    eep223 Posts: 624 Member
    I use sugar or honey, myself. For the amount I use, it isn't making a big dent in my diet.

    There have been studies (I'm sure you can Google this) done with rats that have found that despite consuming no calorie artificial sweeteners instead of real sugar, they are more likely to gain weight. It seems to have to do with the chemistry of the sweeteners. They interfere with your body's ability to recognize how many calories you have taken in and you are less likely to feel "full" as a result of consuming calories, both from the sweeteners and from other calories you consume, and you are therefore more likely to overeat in the long run. That is the basic idea, anyway. I am not a nutritionist. I'd rather steer clear than risk mucking with my body chemistry.

    That said, you gotta do what works for you!

    * And I'll add, it sounds like in either of our cases, we aren't consuming much. I wouldn't really worry about it.
  • Bump
  • haroon_awan
    haroon_awan Posts: 1,208 Member
    Artificial sweeteners have unfair rep. They are blamed by overweight people for their weight gain or lack of weight loss. The fact is, people need to be accountable for what they put into their mouth in terms of overall nutrition, not whether they've taken a packet of sweetener. If you want to put some in your tea or coffee or oats, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing so. You won't get sick, you won't get cancer and you certainly won't get fat.

    That said, I would not recommend diet sodas in place of plain water. But if you want to drink one, then go for it. Just don't go consuming 20+ cans a day.
  • I also use sugar or honey. I just don't think 2 tsp a day are that much or will have much impact on my calories. Plus I've read way to many studies on artificial sweeteners to feel good about using them.
  • MeganG12345
    MeganG12345 Posts: 66 Member
    Artificial sweeteners are one of those things that are bad for you even in moderation. If you are trying to be genuinely healthy, not just thin, I would not consume them every day. I'd recommend allowing yourself a tsp of sugar in the morning with you coffee and counting it with your calories. Or switch to tea and sweeten with honey.
  • haroon_awan
    haroon_awan Posts: 1,208 Member
    I use sugar or honey, myself. For the amount I use, it isn't making a big dent in my diet.

    There have been studies (I'm sure you can Google this) done with rats that have found that despite consuming no calorie artificial sweeteners instead of real sugar, they are more likely to gain weight. seems to have to do with the chemistry of the sweeteners. They interfere with your body's ability to recognize how many calories you have taken in and you are less likely to feel "full" as a result of consuming calories, both from the sweeteners and from other calories you consume, and you are therefore more likely to overeat in the long run. That is the basic idea, anyway. I am not a nutritionist. I'd rather steer clear than risk mucking with my body chemistry.

    That said, you gotta do what works for you!

    * And I'll add, it sounds like in either of our cases, we aren't consuming much. I wouldn't really worry about it.

    1) Rats, not humans.
    2) Were those rats given a calorie/macronutrient controlled diet and subject to the same activity? I don't think so.
  • Rivers2k
    Rivers2k Posts: 380 Member
    Poison!
  • Velum_cado
    Velum_cado Posts: 1,608 Member
    I use sugar, especially for such a small amount.
  • bacitracin
    bacitracin Posts: 921 Member
    Artificial sweeteners have unfair rep. They are blamed by overweight people for their weight gain or lack of weight loss. The fact is, people need to be accountable for what they put into their mouth in terms of overall nutrition, not whether they've taken a packet of sweetener. If you want to put some in your tea or coffee or oats, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing so. You won't get sick, you won't get cancer and you certainly won't get fat.

    That said, I would not recommend diet sodas in place of plain water. But if you want to drink one, then go for it. Just don't go consuming 20+ cans a day.

    I love you, man.
  • eep223
    eep223 Posts: 624 Member
    I use sugar or honey, myself. For the amount I use, it isn't making a big dent in my diet.

    There have been studies (I'm sure you can Google this) done with rats that have found that despite consuming no calorie artificial sweeteners instead of real sugar, they are more likely to gain weight. seems to have to do with the chemistry of the sweeteners. They interfere with your body's ability to recognize how many calories you have taken in and you are less likely to feel "full" as a result of consuming calories, both from the sweeteners and from other calories you consume, and you are therefore more likely to overeat in the long run. That is the basic idea, anyway. I am not a nutritionist. I'd rather steer clear than risk mucking with my body chemistry.

    That said, you gotta do what works for you!

    * And I'll add, it sounds like in either of our cases, we aren't consuming much. I wouldn't really worry about it.

    1) Rats, not humans.
    2) Were those rats given a calorie/macronutrient controlled diet and subject to the same activity? I don't think so.

    Hey, I'm just saying that was the study done. Take from it whatever you like and eat whatever you want.
  • conniemaxwell5
    conniemaxwell5 Posts: 943 Member
    If that's all the sweetener you are using in a day, I'd say you're probably ok but I would switch to stevia sweetener instead because it is all natural. Honey or agave would work too if you're only using a couple of teaspoons you're talking less than 50 calories. There are all kinds of reports regarding artificial sweeteners and their long term effects on your body.
  • Body says Toxic element detected!!!
  • sinistras
    sinistras Posts: 244 Member
    Splenda is a byproduct from lab work aimed at developing insecticides. I _would_ not eat. Sweeten with a natural sweetener until you can train yourself to drink your coffee "black."
  • Richie2shoes
    Richie2shoes Posts: 411 Member
    Artificial sweeteners have unfair rep. They are blamed by overweight people for their weight gain or lack of weight loss. The fact is, people need to be accountable for what they put into their mouth in terms of overall nutrition, not whether they've taken a packet of sweetener. If you want to put some in your tea or coffee or oats, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing so. You won't get sick, you won't get cancer and you certainly won't get fat.

    That said, I would not recommend diet sodas in place of plain water. But if you want to drink one, then go for it. Just don't go consuming 20+ cans a day.

    This. Just about everything else in this thread is complete and total bullsh!t.
  • dfonte
    dfonte Posts: 263 Member
    I put at least 4 packs of Splenda (or equal, sweet and low, etc.) in my coffee. I have done this for over 6 years almost every day. I am healthy, and have not gained weight because of this.

    Source: Actual experience
  • toaster6
    toaster6 Posts: 703 Member
    I use sugar or honey, myself. For the amount I use, it isn't making a big dent in my diet.

    There have been studies (I'm sure you can Google this) done with rats that have found that despite consuming no calorie artificial sweeteners instead of real sugar, they are more likely to gain weight. seems to have to do with the chemistry of the sweeteners. They interfere with your body's ability to recognize how many calories you have taken in and you are less likely to feel "full" as a result of consuming calories, both from the sweeteners and from other calories you consume, and you are therefore more likely to overeat in the long run. That is the basic idea, anyway. I am not a nutritionist. I'd rather steer clear than risk mucking with my body chemistry.

    That said, you gotta do what works for you!

    * And I'll add, it sounds like in either of our cases, we aren't consuming much. I wouldn't really worry about it.

    1) Rats, not humans.
    2) Were those rats given a calorie/macronutrient controlled diet and subject to the same activity? I don't think so.

    Nope. The rats who had artificial sweetener ended up consuming more calories overall which is why they gained weight. So if you're restricting your calories and don't have a sensitivity to artificial sweeteners, having it in moderation isn't going to make you fat/ give you cancer/ etc.
  • Diamond05
    Diamond05 Posts: 475 Member
    You should try Stevia it is a plant base product so it's all natural. Many people made the switch to it. I've been using it for more than two months and i like it. I don't drink coffee but use it in my natural yogourt.
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    If you listened to everything that is apparently bad for you, you'd never eat anything at all. Even if it isn't the healthiest your not having ridiculous amounts!
  • rachempoo
    rachempoo Posts: 134 Member
    I myself am unable to use artificial sweetners like Splena (though some would argue that this is still sugar) and Sweet & Low. If I don't use regular sugar, I use honey, agave nectar or sometimes Stevia. From some of the things I've read about fake sweetners and how they interact with your system, I am glad that I am allergic. I don't think I would want to put that in my body regardless of my allergy.
  • greentart
    greentart Posts: 411 Member
    I, personally, don't use artifical sweetners. It's a conscious, personal choice. I would rather use agave nectar, honey, or just some plain ole sugar. A study done recently said that those who drink diet sodas (articial sweeteners) are MORE at risk for diabetes.
    True, a couple teaspoons isn't going to affect you that much. But I'm trying to be healthier overall, so I say no go.
  • jbs2travel
    jbs2travel Posts: 68 Member
    I use stevia - it's natural
  • Derpes
    Derpes Posts: 2,033 Member
    People demonize artificial sweeteners but have little credible data to substantiate their claims.

    Most of the claims come from charlatans that offer natural health solutions absent evidence.

    Here is a helpful link:

    http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/artificial-sweeteners
  • greentart
    greentart Posts: 411 Member
    Except that Stevia isn't actually all natural, especially if you buy a major food company's brand. Not until a major food company got involved did stevia become legal, and only after it had been highly processed using a patentable chemical-laden process…so processed that Truvia (Coca-Cola’s branded product) goes through about 40 steps to process the extract from the leaf, relying on chemicals like acetone, methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, and isopropanol. Some of these chemicals are known carcinogens. Why would you want to put that in your body?

    If you want to use Stevia, make sure that its labeled "whole leaf stevia", or simply buy your own stevia plant to use as sweetner.

    You should try Stevia it is a plant base product so it's all natural. Many people made the switch to it. I've been using it for more than two months and i like it. I don't drink coffee but use it in my natural yogourt.
  • ObtainingBalance
    ObtainingBalance Posts: 1,446 Member
    Chemicals vs calories... hmmm . Lol. =P


    I use stevia.
  • ImtheOnethatsCool
    ImtheOnethatsCool Posts: 212 Member
    my only thoughts on this, is that I think artificial sweeteners taste gross, so I just use the real thing, but less of it.
  • gp72dpr
    gp72dpr Posts: 16 Member
    I drink three cups of coffee per day with 1 teaspoon of sugar in each cup and I have lost 16 lbs in 30+ days. I would use sugar and not artificial sweetners. For the little amount of calories, its not worth it. If you deprive yourself of a little sugar, your body may crave it.
  • TedStout
    TedStout Posts: 241
    Oh for...!!!!!!! Okay...I am 50. In my lifetime I have heard of virtually every food being "bad" for you. Peanut butter, milk, honey, sugar, artificial sweeteners. So people go all obsessed about it, and next thing you know we get outbreaks of e coli in "organic" vegetables. My personal opinion...eat what you want. If you are worried about it, use something else. Just use moderation like in everything else. If a teaspoon of (name your brand) is going to kill you, you will have a long life.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    It's fine in moderation. Unless one has an adverse reaction to them, then a small amount a day isn't going to "poison" you. You have a higher chance dying in a car accident than being poisoned from artificial sweetners.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition