Sucralose / Splenda
suesuarez
Posts: 69 Member
@Karlottap mentioned in her Ketoversary posting (congrats again!) that Splenda actually led to weight gain in her case. Others found the same thing in their situations
My questions for discussion:
1. How has sucralose affected you?
2. How did you determine it had negative/null/positive effects?
3. If you don't use sucralose, do you have an alternate sweetener for things that don't go well with stevia (I'm thinking coffee here).
My questions for discussion:
1. How has sucralose affected you?
2. How did you determine it had negative/null/positive effects?
3. If you don't use sucralose, do you have an alternate sweetener for things that don't go well with stevia (I'm thinking coffee here).
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Replies
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I don't think I had any gain from sucralose but I definitely had cravings for more sweet foods that caused me to have to employ will power to stay on course. I was making "Keto desserts" on a regular basis in the beginning and pretty much eating all of them within a couple days by myself!
Stevia seemed to be able to give me cravings too, but nowhere near as bad. I definitely used less stevia do that it wouldn't taste bitter so maybe it was mostly ok because I didn't use much.
I don't add any sweetener to coffee anymore. I started trying different coffees and found that they make a huge difference themselves. My old favorite, Gevalia, just doesn't taste good without stuff in it... So I searched for better coffee.
Now it's just MCT and butter. Occasionally, if I have coffee in the afternoon or evening, I'll use HWC then instead of the MCT and butter.0 -
I don't seem to have any effect from sucralose. I think that this just underlines how everyone's body acts differently.0
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Since being Low carb 4 years ago I use no sweeteners at all. I think you will be surprised how much they change your taste. My best example is that I never knew tomatoes were sweet!0
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I also find if I have too many things with artificial sweetener in it, I crave more, so I try to limit them. I think I have found a balance where I can have the odd thing here and there where it doesn't increase the cravings. We are all different so you will need to experiment. Good luck!!0
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I don't know what my trouble is specifically with sweeteners yet (stevia) but I have a feeling it takes away that full and satisfied feeling that keto usually gives me and I go searching for snacks. I'm cutting down on those keto desserts, but it's more a mental battle than real hunger.0
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I'm concerned about the recent study linking sucralose to blood cancers, so I'm not eating it. I use small amounts of xylitol and erythritol. Fortunately, I prefer my coffee unsweetened.0
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Sucralose definitely leads to increased hunger/ cravings for me. No weight gain though. I limit having it to just a few times a week. I just really enjoy a splash of sugar free vanilla syrup in my iced coffee. Hey, a girl's gotta have a treat
Yikes, prior to this way of eating, I had " treats " all day, everyday. How things have changed these last 3 months.
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I find some increased cravings with it too. Probably because of the bulking/ filler they use. I no longer use it. If I need to add sugar I use stevia drops or a a bit of xylitol.... or bananas and fruit in baking, but that is for my kids and not me.0
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I find some increased cravings with it too. Probably because of the bulking/ filler they use.
Good call on the fillers.
Those added ingredients in the powder form of Splenda and other sweeteners (maltodextrin, dextrose) are not carb-free and are not 0 GI. Go figure.
However, the liquid comes in various concentrations that you squirt or drop and does not have those 2 fillers. You can also order pure sucralose online.
Personally, I've never gotten cravings beyond the usual chronic yearning for a bourbon milkshake.0 -
We use Swerve for me and for baking and Truvia for my husband in his coffee and such. The Truvia and I don't get along. The Swerve seems to act pretty much like sugar, but I haven't tried using it and not using it to see how it may affect me.
You might also try different stevias in your coffee. Some taste different from others. We don't use sweeteners very often outside of coffee, and I use the NOW organic powdered white stuff.0 -
I find some increased cravings with it too. Probably because of the bulking/ filler they use.
Good call on the fillers.
Those added ingredients in the powder form of Splenda and other sweeteners (maltodextrin, dextrose) are not carb-free and are not 0 GI. Go figure.
However, the liquid comes in various concentrations that you squirt or drop and does not have those 2 fillers. You can also order pure sucralose online.
Personally, I've never gotten cravings beyond the usual chronic yearning for a bourbon milkshake.
Very good point. Anyone that does use them, even with no problem at all, still may benefit from using the liquid forms instead.
This has been true for me also. I have been able to enjoy more foods. I actually like things that I didn't used to like. Green peppers even taste sweet to me and I used to hate them.dulcitonia wrote: »Since being Low carb 4 years ago I use no sweeteners at all. I think you will be surprised how much they change your taste. My best example is that I never knew tomatoes were sweet!
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We use Swerve for me and for baking and Truvia for my husband in his coffee and such. The Truvia and I don't get along. The Swerve seems to act pretty much like sugar, but I haven't tried using it and not using it to see how it may affect me.
You might also try different stevias in your coffee. Some taste different from others. We don't use sweeteners very often outside of coffee, and I use the NOW organic powdered white stuff.
I don't mind Swerve/erythritol but the cooling effect is really off-putting to my husband and kids - and none of us like any Stevia that we've tried so far. My menfolk all seem to prefer xylitol, which could be dangerous since we have 3 dogs... so we just have few desserts these days.0 -
I find some increased cravings with it too. Probably because of the bulking/ filler they use.
Good call on the fillers.
Those added ingredients in the powder form of Splenda and other sweeteners (maltodextrin, dextrose) are not carb-free and are not 0 GI. Go figure.
However, the liquid comes in various concentrations that you squirt or drop and does not have those 2 fillers. You can also order pure sucralose online.
Personally, I've never gotten cravings beyond the usual chronic yearning for a bourbon milkshake.
Bourbon milkshake? Ooooh. I've obviously missed out on something life changing there!0 -
My experience with splenda: I cut sweetener for six months (Jan. through June, last year). I didn't drink coffee either during that time because I didn't think it would taste right without it. After learning that my body really liked being carnivore, I felt it was safe enough to add it back in since it was sugar free syrup, and coffee. Boy, was I wrong! I began gaining weight like crazy, still being meativore! I didn't want it to be the splenda! I was in denial for a bit, and almost gave up on this woe because of it!
I had no food cravings, though, and I was maintaining my macros. But over a three week period I gained a total of twenty two pounds!! I found an article at the time about inflammation in the body being tied to use of splenda. I even had a marked increase in pain during that time, and the inches increased in my waist measurement! I finally poured the stuff down the drain, and learned to drink my coffee without sweetner! Once I cut them out, again, it took some time to overcome the increase, and feel good again!
So, no, I don't have much sweet stuff in my life, since its in everything! I don't miss the effects of it though!
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It doesn't seem to bother me. If I have a lot of artificially sweetened things, I do have more cravings but using it in smaller amounts hasn't had any noticeable effects for me.0
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I find some increased cravings with it too. Probably because of the bulking/ filler they use.
Good call on the fillers.
Those added ingredients in the powder form of Splenda and other sweeteners (maltodextrin, dextrose) are not carb-free and are not 0 GI. Go figure.
However, the liquid comes in various concentrations that you squirt or drop and does not have those 2 fillers. You can also order pure sucralose online.
Personally, I've never gotten cravings beyond the usual chronic yearning for a bourbon milkshake.
Bourbon milkshake? Ooooh. I've obviously missed out on something life changing there!
Well, given where we are today, it would be a serious life-changer for either of us.....
However, the crude substitute, Coffee + HWC, whipped with coconut milk + 1 drop liquid Sucralose + Bourbon, is still a treat!0 -
I find some increased cravings with it too. Probably because of the bulking/ filler they use.
Good call on the fillers.
Those added ingredients in the powder form of Splenda and other sweeteners (maltodextrin, dextrose) are not carb-free and are not 0 GI. Go figure.
However, the liquid comes in various concentrations that you squirt or drop and does not have those 2 fillers. You can also order pure sucralose online.
Personally, I've never gotten cravings beyond the usual chronic yearning for a bourbon milkshake.
Bourbon milkshake? Ooooh. I've obviously missed out on something life changing there!
Well, given where we are today, it would be a serious life-changer for either of us.....
However, the crude substitute, Coffee + HWC, whipped with coconut milk + 1 drop liquid Sucralose + Bourbon, is still a treat!
LOL
Your "crude substitute" still sounds like a treat that I would be happy with. Thanks. 
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My experience with splenda: I cut sweetener for six months (Jan. through June, last year). I didn't drink coffee either during that time because I didn't think it would taste right without it. After learning that my body really liked being carnivore, I felt it was safe enough to add it back in since it was sugar free syrup, and coffee. Boy, was I wrong! I began gaining weight like crazy, still being meativore! I didn't want it to be the splenda! I was in denial for a bit, and almost gave up on this woe because of it!
I had no food cravings, though, and I was maintaining my macros. But over a three week period I gained a total of twenty two pounds!! I found an article at the time about inflammation in the body being tied to use of splenda. I even had a marked increase in pain during that time, and the inches increased in my waist measurement! I finally poured the stuff down the drain, and learned to drink my coffee without sweetner! Once I cut them out, again, it took some time to overcome the increase, and feel good again!
So, no, I don't have much sweet stuff in my life, since its in everything! I don't miss the effects of it though!
22 lbs? ... wow. I mean.... wow. That must really make you wonder what it was doing to you; what caused the inflammation. I gotta say, you've made me miss my 2 srops of stevia in my coffee a whole lot less now.
yikes.0 -
I don't think stevia would do the same since its not all foreign fillers, like splenda can be. I've tried it, and just don't care for it.
Yep, last summer was my nightmare come to life. Accepting that my one and only indulgence was working against me (when it shouldn't!) was hard. Obviously I allowed it to continue (hard headed). I backed away from here for a bit because of it! Once I did accept it, and eliminate the use, things went back to being good again. I felt good, and the scale began to drop again. It took four months before that twenty two pounds dropped, and I began losing new weight. I ,mentally, add this twenty two pounds to my total weight loss, because relose it I did!
I realize that this has happened to me before, too! It's clear to see, now, but I was a sad eater then. I had gastric sleeve surgery in 2010. I dropped coffee, and sweeteners then as well. I don't recall how long, but remember unexplainable weight increases. Never dreamed it was the splenda then!
The stuff is evil to me!0 -
I don't think stevia would do the same since its not all foreign fillers, like splenda can be. I've tried it, and just don't care for it.
Yep, last summer was my nightmare come to life. Accepting that my one and only indulgence was working against me (when it shouldn't!) was hard. Obviously I allowed it to continue (hard headed). I backed away from here for a bit because of it! Once I did accept it, and eliminate the use, things went back to being good again. I felt good, and the scale began to drop again. It took four months before that twenty two pounds dropped, and I began losing new weight. I ,mentally, add this twenty two pounds to my total weight loss, because relose it I did!
I realize that this has happened to me before, too! It's clear to see, now, but I was a sad eater then. I had gastric sleeve surgery in 2010. I dropped coffee, and sweeteners then as well. I don't recall how long, but remember unexplainable weight increases. Never dreamed it was the splenda then!
The stuff is evil to me!
I remember when you posted about it and found the source of trouble. It was part of my decision to cut back the sweeteners back then. I wasn't very successful in cutting back so I eventfully cut them out with the exception of occasional sweet leaf (stevia), which I have given up for AAA challenge this month.
I used to keep 4 bottles of that coffee syrup on hand in different flavors. I even bought the pumps to put on them. No more. All gone! Won't be buying again.0 -
Thank you all for the replies!
Now I've read about a study (albeit with rats) that shows sucralose kills good gut bacteria leading to insulin issues. Sigh. I love my coffee with 2 Splenda and HWC. I find Stevia is too bitter. So I'm going back to black. I'll try reintroducing HWC without sweetener after awhile.0 -
This is a timely topic for me, since I just last week dumped a Costco-sized bag of Splenda down the drain. I don't think its use contributed to either weight gain or sweet cravings but I have been struggling with digestive issues for more than a decade, landing me in the hospital last month for a week. I have since adopted the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, designed especially for folks like me with Dr Jekyll/Mr. Hyde tummies. It prohibits Splenda; here's something from "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" which is the go-to reference for this WOE.
"Splenda (sucralose) has been extensively discussed and it is not allowed for several reasons.
First, most Splenda is packed in a filler called maltodextrin. This is a starch and is very difficult to digest. So it is not allowed on the diet.
Splenda, aka sucralose, is a sucrose-like molecule. Basically, they have added Chlorine atoms to sucrose to make it indigestible by humans. However, since it is not digestible by us, it does not get absorbed and passes down the GI tract. It is digestible by bacteria. So in essence, if you consume sucralose, you are sending down an energy source to the bacteria you are trying to starve. So sucralose is not allowed."0 -
Does anyone have a link to a source for the study that shows that bacteria can use sucralose? That would not surprise me, and I'd like to read the details. I'm a microbiology geek.0
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Let us know what you think... and if you have any improvements!0 -
I don't think stevia would do the same since its not all foreign fillers, like splenda can be. I've tried it, and just don't care for it.
Yep, last summer was my nightmare come to life. Accepting that my one and only indulgence was working against me (when it shouldn't!) was hard. Obviously I allowed it to continue (hard headed). I backed away from here for a bit because of it! Once I did accept it, and eliminate the use, things went back to being good again. I felt good, and the scale began to drop again. It took four months before that twenty two pounds dropped, and I began losing new weight. I ,mentally, add this twenty two pounds to my total weight loss, because relose it I did!
I realize that this has happened to me before, too! It's clear to see, now, but I was a sad eater then. I had gastric sleeve surgery in 2010. I dropped coffee, and sweeteners then as well. I don't recall how long, but remember unexplainable weight increases. Never dreamed it was the splenda then!
The stuff is evil to me!
Evil is right. I remember you going through this too but I somehow missed the fact that it was 22lbs. That's just disturbing.mandycat223 wrote: »This is a timely topic for me, since I just last week dumped a Costco-sized bag of Splenda down the drain. I don't think its use contributed to either weight gain or sweet cravings but I have been struggling with digestive issues for more than a decade, landing me in the hospital last month for a week. I have since adopted the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, designed especially for folks like me with Dr Jekyll/Mr. Hyde tummies. It prohibits Splenda; here's something from "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" which is the go-to reference for this WOE.
"Splenda (sucralose) has been extensively discussed and it is not allowed for several reasons.
First, most Splenda is packed in a filler called maltodextrin. This is a starch and is very difficult to digest. So it is not allowed on the diet.
Splenda, aka sucralose, is a sucrose-like molecule. Basically, they have added Chlorine atoms to sucrose to make it indigestible by humans. However, since it is not digestible by us, it does not get absorbed and passes down the GI tract. It is digestible by bacteria. So in essence, if you consume sucralose, you are sending down an energy source to the bacteria you are trying to starve. So sucralose is not allowed."
Interesting! I found a few studies on that, but I like Scientific American's article on it: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/artificial-sweeteners-may-change-our-gut-bacteria-in-dangerous-ways/
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Yep, I sort of disappeared for a bit over that, and showed back up after dealing with it on the outskirts here. As the weight kept going up, I backed off here. I was sure people would think I had fallen into a carb binge, so I just continue to read, and you all helped me through without realizing what you had done for me! I've only mentioned it a couple of times since then, but I know someone out there may need to hear about it, so I put it out here when it seems appropriate.
Thanks!0
