I quit artificial Sweetener!!!

biankavarner
biankavarner Posts: 26 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I quit using artificial sweetener which I used for everything! I mean everything....coffee, cereal, baking etc... I quit drinking diet Pop but I can't and don't want to give up my coffee. I cannot drink it without sugar. I also sweeten my oatmeal to make it taste better. Has anyone gone through a similar change and how did they replace the sweetener? I looked at Stevia but I find that I am just replacing one chemical with another...

Any ideas?
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Replies

  • mamma_nee
    mamma_nee Posts: 809 Member
    I stopped using anything artificial over 30 years ago , I rather have a lil of the good stuff or nothing at all then having the yucky after taste or chemicals in my body.
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    I weaned myself off it. If I want to sweeten stuff I'll use actual sugar - usually honey or dates.
  • rjdunn87
    rjdunn87 Posts: 385 Member
    Sugar?
  • mortuseon
    mortuseon Posts: 579 Member
    Everything you put in your body is a chemical. I've seen no decent evidence to suggest that artificial sweeteners are really bad for you. Personally, I'd just keep using them if they help you meet your calorie goals. Only other way around it is to work sugar into your carb macros (edit: and calories, of course).
  • biankavarner
    biankavarner Posts: 26 Member
    Actually artificial sweetener is the reason why I have not been able to lose weight even when I eat right. Then I seen this article on how it actually causes people to gain weight. Also since I stopped using it I feel more energized and better overall. It has only been a week and since I only weigh myself every two weeks I don't know how it is affecting me on the scale.

    I do add the sugar to my daily count though
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    Actually artificial sweetener is the reason why I have not been able to lose weight even when I eat right. Then I seen this article on how it actually causes people to gain weight. Also since I stopped using it I feel more energized and better overall. It has only been a week and since I only weigh myself every two weeks I don't know how it is affecting me on the scale.

    I do add the sugar to my daily count though

    Artificial sweeteners do not cause weight gain, nor are they the cause of not losing weight.

    Calorie surplus=weight gain
    Calorie deficit=weight loss
  • tanya203
    tanya203 Posts: 19 Member
    High quality Stevia isn't replacing one chemical for another. The catch is, it will probubly cost you an arm and a leg.

    The brand I try to always have on hand is liquid stevia drops made by Sweetleaf. It's all natural. I add it to teas and various 0 calorie drinks with lemon that need some sweetness to balance the sour without the sugar.
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    Congrats?

    More for me, I suppose!
  • biankavarner
    biankavarner Posts: 26 Member
    Actually artificial sweetener is the reason why I have not been able to lose weight even when I eat right. Then I seen this article on how it actually causes people to gain weight. Also since I stopped using it I feel more energized and better overall. It has only been a week and since I only weigh myself every two weeks I don't know how it is affecting me on the scale.

    I do add the sugar to my daily count though

    Artificial sweeteners do not cause weight gain, nor are they the cause of not losing weight.

    Calorie surplus=weight gain
    Calorie deficit=weight loss


    well there are many studies out there that say that it does cause weight gain. I am not saying I believe everything but what do I have to lose.


    http://www.newswire.net/newsroom/pr/00079190-obesity-weight-gain-common-factors.html

    http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2014/01/11/new-weight-loss-strategies/


    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/12/04/saccharin-aspartame-dangers.aspx


    These are just a few of the hundreds of articles out there
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Actually artificial sweetener is the reason why I have not been able to lose weight even when I eat right. Then I seen this article on how it actually causes people to gain weight. Also since I stopped using it I feel more energized and better overall. It has only been a week and since I only weigh myself every two weeks I don't know how it is affecting me on the scale.

    I do add the sugar to my daily count though

    Artificial sweeteners do not cause weight gain, nor are they the cause of not losing weight.

    Calorie surplus=weight gain
    Calorie deficit=weight loss

    This!! I use em and drink diet pop and have managed to lose 300+ lbs. I am banking on the fact I was eating in a caloric deficit is what caused the weight loss..... Best of Luck OP, I have no advice cause I don't believe there is a reason to cut them out if used in moderation.....
  • SunofaBeach14
    SunofaBeach14 Posts: 4,899 Member
    More worry over things that don't matter IMHO
  • biankavarner
    biankavarner Posts: 26 Member
    Here is the one that I seen a while ago...

    I didn't use it in moderation... I used sweetener for everything and drank too much diet Pop

    http://www.examiner.com/article/dr-oz-details-two-week-rapid-weight-loss-diet-lose-nine-pounds-14-days
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Here is the one that I seen a while ago...

    I didn't use it in moderation... I used sweetener for everything and drank too much diet Pop

    http://www.examiner.com/article/dr-oz-details-two-week-rapid-weight-loss-diet-lose-nine-pounds-14-days

    Artificial sweeteners and diet soda have absolutely nothing to do with weight gain or loss.

    BTW, Dr Oz is a joke. He cashed in his physician credibility to shill for supplement companies and the diet industry on TV. You should never listen to anything he says, ever.
  • GingerLolita
    GingerLolita Posts: 738 Member
    I've also given up artificial sweeteners. I drink my coffee with unsweetened vanilla almond milk and sometimes a sprinkle of cinnamon for flavor. I cook my oatmeal in unsweetened almond milk with a dash of cinnamon, then stir in some nut butter while it's hot and top with fresh fruit for sweetness. I use raw cane sugar, light brown sugar, maple syrup, and honey, and I will eat things with stevia or agave nectar as well.
  • silenceinspace
    silenceinspace Posts: 142 Member
    Congratulations! I quit artificial sweetener too--used to use 3 or more packets of Splenda in my coffee, but never really liked it. I slowly weaned down to 2, then 1, and then none--now I drink it totally black. I found that when I gave up the sweeteners, most foods started tasting sweeter. Maybe try weaning yourself down with sugar packets?
  • susanrechter
    susanrechter Posts: 386 Member
    I stopped using that s**t. It's a trigger food.
  • aggiekaren01
    aggiekaren01 Posts: 30 Member
    I gave them up about six months ago. I was drinking way too many diet cokes and once I decided to give it up, I gave up all artificial sweeteners.

    My main issue was the diet coke. I keep sparkling water around for when I want the fizzy. The citrus flavors of La Croix were the best substitute for me. I also stopped using Splenda in my iced tea and used lots of lemon for a while. Now I can drink it without the lemon, although I still do like it better with lemon.

    As for my coffee, I was using Splenda and powder coffee mate. I replaced both with one tablespoon of real half and half. The cream adds a sweetness. It took a couple of days to get used to it, but now I really enjoy my coffee that way.

    It was really hard the first few weeks but now they taste bad to me!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    well there are many studies out there that say that it does cause weight gain. I am not saying I believe everything but what do I have to lose.


    http://www.newswire.net/newsroom/pr/00079190-obesity-weight-gain-common-factors.html

    http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2014/01/11/new-weight-loss-strategies/


    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/12/04/saccharin-aspartame-dangers.aspx


    These are just a few of the hundreds of articles out there
    Artficial sweeteners don't cause weight gain. These studies show correlation not causation. Try PEER REVIEWED STUDIES instead, like those from NIH, Journals of Medicine and Science or even University Studies.
    I've been drinking diet Pepsi for oaver 25+ years now and have never dealt with any of the issues that are stated by many of these "studies".

    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
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    If you really want to quit it then replacing with sugar would be the obvious choice.

    Then it is up to you to decide what you think will hinder your weight loss more. Artificial sweeteners aka the chemical ****storm with zero calories or sugar (also a chemical) that has calories.

    Choice is yours.
  • biankavarner
    biankavarner Posts: 26 Member
    Thanks everyone for the ideas on how to replace it. I do believe that it has a direct link to me not losing weight. I have nothing to lose cutting them out of my diet.

    I will some of the ideas that were mentioned.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I do believe that it has a direct link to me not losing weight.

    Nope.
  • biankavarner
    biankavarner Posts: 26 Member
    I do believe that it has a direct link to me not losing weight.

    Nope.

    we can argue about this forever! Time will tell.
  • biankavarner
    biankavarner Posts: 26 Member
    I should have also mentioned that I changed nothing else in my diet other then take the sweetener out and using sugar for my coffee and cereal instead. I eat a 1200 cal non processed food diet a day and have not been able to lose infact I have gained weight
  • mamma_nee
    mamma_nee Posts: 809 Member
    Everything you put in your body is a chemical. I've seen no decent evidence to suggest that artificial sweeteners are really bad for you. Personally, I'd just keep using them if they help you meet your calorie goals. Only other way around it is to work sugar into your carb macros (edit: and calories, of course).

    Actually i do have proof - eating artificial sweeteners make my benign tumors grow like mad !
  • NikoM5
    NikoM5 Posts: 488 Member
    Actually artificial sweetener is the reason why I have not been able to lose weight even when I eat right. Then I seen this article on how it actually causes people to gain weight. Also since I stopped using it I feel more energized and better overall. It has only been a week and since I only weigh myself every two weeks I don't know how it is affecting me on the scale.

    I do add the sugar to my daily count though

    Artificial sweeteners do not cause weight gain, nor are they the cause of not losing weight.

    Calorie surplus=weight gain
    Calorie deficit=weight loss


    well there are many studies out there that say that it does cause weight gain. I am not saying I believe everything but what do I have to lose.


    http://www.newswire.net/newsroom/pr/00079190-obesity-weight-gain-common-factors.html

    http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2014/01/11/new-weight-loss-strategies/


    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/12/04/saccharin-aspartame-dangers.aspx


    These are just a few of the hundreds of articles out there

    These are not studies, they are articles from websites. Mercola.com is the granddaddy of internet quackery.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    Actually artificial sweetener is the reason why I have not been able to lose weight even when I eat right. Then I seen this article on how it actually causes people to gain weight. Also since I stopped using it I feel more energized and better overall. It has only been a week and since I only weigh myself every two weeks I don't know how it is affecting me on the scale.

    I do add the sugar to my daily count though

    Artificial sweeteners do not cause weight gain, nor are they the cause of not losing weight.

    Calorie surplus=weight gain
    Calorie deficit=weight loss


    well there are many studies out there that say that it does cause weight gain. I am not saying I believe everything but what do I have to lose.


    http://www.newswire.net/newsroom/pr/00079190-obesity-weight-gain-common-factors.html

    http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2014/01/11/new-weight-loss-strategies/


    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/12/04/saccharin-aspartame-dangers.aspx


    These are just a few of the hundreds of articles out there

    Those aren't studies.
  • NikoM5
    NikoM5 Posts: 488 Member
    Everything you put in your body is a chemical. I've seen no decent evidence to suggest that artificial sweeteners are really bad for you. Personally, I'd just keep using them if they help you meet your calorie goals. Only other way around it is to work sugar into your carb macros (edit: and calories, of course).

    Actually i do have proof - eating artificial sweeteners make my benign tumors grow like mad !

    Your opinion is not exactly proof. I have friends with similar "proof" that the moon landing was faked.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    I gave them up about six months ago. I was drinking way too many diet cokes and once I decided to give it up, I gave up all artificial sweeteners.

    My main issue was the diet coke. I keep sparkling water around for when I want the fizzy. The citrus flavors of La Croix were the best substitute for me. I also stopped using Splenda in my iced tea and used lots of lemon for a while. Now I can drink it without the lemon, although I still do like it better with lemon.

    As for my coffee, I was using Splenda and powder coffee mate. I replaced both with one tablespoon of real half and half. The cream adds a sweetness. It took a couple of days to get used to it, but now I really enjoy my coffee that way.

    It was really hard the first few weeks but now they taste bad to me!

    So, how has this helped you?
  • Howdoyoufeeltoday
    Howdoyoufeeltoday Posts: 481 Member
    The thing about artificial sweeteners is that they don't make a person gain weight by itself, but it contributes to cravings rather then helping them. It does something along the lines of tricking the body into feeling like it's getting sugar but then it realized it's not so it's like WTF I want sugar now!....and no this isn't a quote from a study but what I've heard it a few times from random doctors and such, so don't ask for facts, just going by what I've heard.

    But they have no affect on making a person gain or lose weight. how they make you feel is different. Some people handle foods better and some don't. If it makes you feel yucky then don't use it.

    As for what to put in coffee and oatmeal, try honey or agave syrup (doesn't spike insulin levels like sugar does). Or Just use sugar. Honestly, a few teaspoons a day isn't going to kill your diet. And at least you'll be getting what you want and not the fake stuff.

    I don't use them because I can't stand the after taste of artificial sweeteners. I'd rather use real sugar but less of it.
  • NikoM5
    NikoM5 Posts: 488 Member
    The thing about artificial sweeteners is that they don't make a person gain weight by itself, but it contributes to cravings rather then helping them. It does something along the lines of tricking the body into feeling like it's getting sugar but then it realized it's not so it's like WTF I want sugar now!....and no this isn't a quote from a study but what I've heard it a few times from random doctors and such, so don't ask for facts, just going by what I've heard.

    But they have no affect on making a person gain or lose weight. how they make you feel is different. Some people handle foods better and some don't. If it makes you feel yucky then don't use it.

    As for what to put in coffee and oatmeal, try honey or agave syrup (doesn't spike insulin levels like sugar does). Or Just use sugar. Honestly, a few teaspoons a day isn't going to kill your diet. And at least you'll be getting what you want and not the fake stuff.

    I don't use them because I can't stand the after taste of artificial sweeteners. I'd rather use real sugar but less of it.

    Not true. Through you'll read this "theory" on a lot of quack health and nutrition websites.

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