Fake sugar?
haloerich
Posts: 9 Member
Anyone cutting calories by replacing things with sugar free options (ie: coffee creamer) ? I have a calorie goal of 1200 as I'm mostly sedentary (desk job). I'm eating more fruits and veggies, but can't let go of my coffee. I've read terrible things about artificial sweeteners though. Any thoughts? Is one sweetener better than the other?
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Replies
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Lots of fearmongering out there. It's hard figuring out what's really true.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1308408/why-aspartame-isnt-scary/p1
I use Slpenda just because I like the taste. Truvia is good too, it's very sweet so you don't use as much.7 -
I use Truvia in things like green tea and flavored seltzer water, but I cannot use an artificial sweetener in my coffee. Just tastes too weird to me. I use regular sugar and half n half and call it good.
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To me its either real food or a chemical. It doesn't matter if it is some confugulation of natural ingredients that are altered to make a "natural artificial sweetener". I eat sweets or don't have any sweeteners but never do the artificial route. My preference not required for all people.2
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Use whichever one tastes best to you, and don't sweat it. Unless your profile picture isn't you, and you're actually a rat...
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Most of the studies would suggest natural sweeteners are perfectly healthy and have not shown any effect in human models. At worse, some anecdotal evidence says it may cause hunger and/or headaches, but that might be more placebo than anything else and haven't seen any studies to support that. Personally, if they don't both you, like they don't for me, then I would use them as they are a great way to cut calories.1
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To me its either real food or a chemical. It doesn't matter if it is some confugulation of natural ingredients that are altered to make a "natural artificial sweetener". I eat sweets or don't have any sweeteners but never do the artificial route. My preference not required for all people.
Everything is chemicals9 -
I use half and half! 40 calories in 2tbsps. Really doesn't impact my calories.1
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Yep I started using artificial sweeteners when I started my weight loss phase and continue to use them now several years into maintenance 2
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I found an English Toffee flavored liquid stevia on Amazon that's delightful in coffee, as long as you don't use too much. Of course, Stevia still has a distinctive aftertaste, but I find it acceptable unless I've waaay overloaded the beverage in question.1
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Lots of fearmongering out there. It's hard figuring out what's really true.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1308408/why-aspartame-isnt-scary/p1
I use Slpenda just because I like the taste. Truvia is good too, it's very sweet so you don't use as much.
Thank you, that's an interesting article0 -
just give up the sweetness in coffee - i did that about 10 years ago... True it took about 2 years before the coffee tasted ok
.. but now i cannot tolerate any sugar in my coffee (or tea) - it just tastes awful...
Like losing weight - it is a lifestyle change that takes time ...0 -
I unfortunately have a coffee dependence. The migraines are rough without it. And see no reason to torture myself with black coffee. I've been using regular creamer and cutting the calories elsewhere, but I figure if I can eat more of something else with better nutritional value and cut the calories back in my unhealthy addiction it will be better.1
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I unfortunately have a coffee dependence. The migraines are rough without it. And see no reason to torture myself with black coffee. I've been using regular creamer and cutting the calories elsewhere, but I figure if I can eat more of something else with better nutritional value and cut the calories back in my unhealthy addiction it will be better.
I'm with you. I did cut out my original flavored creamer as I was using FAR too much of it. Like a candy bar in a cup, basically. I switched to half n half (10 calories per tub) and 2 tsps of real sugar and I'm much happier. I also like Silk Almond Milk Caramel creamer (15 calories per tbsp) when I want more flavor 0 -
My understanding from various sources is that Stevia (which is what Truvia is) is the best of a bad bunch when it comes to artificial sweeeteners. It is the only one which was proven not to have an adverse effect on the gut and it doesn't have the bad rep for side effects that Aspartame and some of the others do. I can't remember the program I saw but there was one which definitely persuaded me that of them all, Stevia was the best to have.
They do say though that having artificially sweetened drinks can still lead to weight gain/struggles with weight management as there is a tendency to then want sweet foodstuffs either with or after the sweet tasting drink.
Just food for thought.0 -
I unfortunately have a coffee dependence. The migraines are rough without it. And see no reason to torture myself with black coffee. I've been using regular creamer and cutting the calories elsewhere, but I figure if I can eat more of something else with better nutritional value and cut the calories back in my unhealthy addiction it will be better.
Don't know if you're interested in other options, but I use .25 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk and 1 tablespoon of regular hazelnut creamer in my 16 oz of coffee every morning. ~50 calories.1 -
I unfortunately have a coffee dependence. The migraines are rough without it. And see no reason to torture myself with black coffee. I've been using regular creamer and cutting the calories elsewhere, but I figure if I can eat more of something else with better nutritional value and cut the calories back in my unhealthy addiction it will be better.
Try cold brew instead of hot coffee. I can't drink hot coffee black anymore because it's so so acidic and even gives me heartburn sometimes. Cold brew, on the other hand, is naturally much sweeter than hot drip coffee and much more concentrated, too. I can drink cold brew black and sometimes I even have to water it down because of the brew concentrate. I think you need to ask yourself if you have a coffee dependence or a sugar "ooo yummy!" dependence. If you're not willing to drink black coffee, it doesn't really seem like it's just the caffeine?
This is what I use to make mine.0 -
Anyone cutting calories by replacing things with sugar free options (ie: coffee creamer) ? I have a calorie goal of 1200 as I'm mostly sedentary (desk job). I'm eating more fruits and veggies, but can't let go of my coffee. I've read terrible things about artificial sweeteners though. Any thoughts? Is one sweetener better than the other?
I drink 16oz. coffee with real sugar every morning. I hate the aftertaste of fake sweeteners.1 -
I use Natural Bliss coffee creamer. Yes, it's got real sugar in it, but it also only has 4 ingredients - cream, milk, sugar and vanilla flavor. One tablespoon is 30 calories, and it's enough for my morning cup of coffee. If your coffee is important to you, don't skimp or try to tolerate some crap replacement. Enjoy!1
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sarabushby wrote: »My understanding from various sources is that Stevia (which is what Truvia is) is the best of a bad bunch when it comes to artificial sweeeteners. It is the only one which was proven not to have an adverse effect on the gut and it doesn't have the bad rep for side effects that Aspartame and some of the others do. I can't remember the program I saw but there was one which definitely persuaded me that of them all, Stevia was the best to have.
They do say though that having artificially sweetened drinks can still lead to weight gain/struggles with weight management as there is a tendency to then want sweet foodstuffs either with or after the sweet tasting drink.
Just food for thought.
Aspartame has actually been probably the most studied artificial sweetener and has been shown to be safe. There are many people (including on these forums) that have had zero side effects from all sweeteners including Aspartame. Also, I have seen on these same forums that people find sweeteners to satisfy their sweet tooth as opposed to create cravings. To the OP, if you want to cut calories by using sweeteners, just try different types and see what tastes the best. Some people are turned off by the tastes of different ones.3 -
yellingkimber wrote: »I think you need to ask yourself if you have a coffee dependence or a sugar "ooo yummy!" dependence. If you're not willing to drink black coffee, it doesn't really seem like it's just the caffeine?" ]
I thought about that. I'm good without coffee if I take caffeine pills though. They have way too much caffeine though, I wind up feeling jittery.
I've replaced my regular milk with almond milk for cereal and it's not bad. I will look for the almond milk creamer0 -
Anyone cutting calories by replacing things with sugar free options (ie: coffee creamer) ? I have a calorie goal of 1200 as I'm mostly sedentary (desk job). I'm eating more fruits and veggies, but can't let go of my coffee. I've read terrible things about artificial sweeteners though. Any thoughts? Is one sweetener better than the other?
you can eat sugar and lose weight and be healthy ....
or you can use substitutes, your choice...0 -
I weaned myself off of flavored creamers and now use a Tbl of 1/2 & 1/2 in my coffee. Once in a while I will make a mocha with the same 1/2 & 1/2 and a Tbl of Walden Farms calorie free chocolate syrup (not very good tasting as a topping but makes a great mocha).
As far as artificial sweeteners, nothing wrong with them. Some may have allergic reactions to a particular one and people do have a taste preference but as a rule, they are safe, do not raise blood glucose, and can have a place in most people's eating plan.1 -
And most sweeteners someone might use in coffee are altered (i.e., processed). The only major exception I know of is honey.extra_medium wrote: »To me its either real food or a chemical. It doesn't matter if it is some confugulation of natural ingredients that are altered to make a "natural artificial sweetener". I eat sweets or don't have any sweeteners but never do the artificial route. My preference not required for all people.
Everything is chemicals0 -
You mentioned creamers. One thing you might consider is using either a dairy product or something like soy/almond/coconut/rice milk. You'd at least be getting some nutrition along with your coffee. The dairy ones are available in lowfat or nonfat.0
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extra_medium wrote: »To me its either real food or a chemical. It doesn't matter if it is some confugulation of natural ingredients that are altered to make a "natural artificial sweetener". I eat sweets or don't have any sweeteners but never do the artificial route. My preference not required for all people.
Everything is chemicals
You'd think everyone skipped 7th grade chemistry class.1 -
GASP - adding things to coffee??? Bleck. I do enjoy cream on occasion or skim milk in an iced coffee - but if you come near my coffee with sugar, I might bite you.
OP - the sugar free creamers (coffee mate, international delight) are actually, pretty good. Artificial sweeteners get a bad rap because someone woke up and decided to pick a fight. As many has said, and the wonderful link that was posted - they are alright. I used to count my days until Pumpkin Spice creamer and Peppermint were available. (Sugar Free). Give those a shot, I think it's like 15 cal a serving? Not bad.0 -
I do. When at home though, fat free vanilla creamer. Work, I drink with cream and splenda.0
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The furthest I've ventured into artificial sweetener territory is xylitol and Truvia. I use them sometimes and very sparingly when i feel like a sweet coffee. Neither of these have had any negative associations tied to them as far as I'm aware.0
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I use Stevia, Truvia, or in a pinch Splenda. The local Wal-Mart sells Stevia in packets that are perfect for me at work, we use large cups for coffee and 2-3 of the packets gets it plenty sweet for 0 cals. There's just as much calories in the creamer though, even the powdered stuff, so if you drink a lot of coffee keep an eye on that.0
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sarabushby wrote: »My understanding from various sources is that Stevia (which is what Truvia is) is the best of a bad bunch when it comes to artificial sweeeteners. It is the only one which was proven not to have an adverse effect on the gut and it doesn't have the bad rep for side effects that Aspartame and some of the others do. I can't remember the program I saw but there was one which definitely persuaded me that of them all, Stevia was the best to have.
just to correct something here for you - Stevia is not an artificial sweetener. It is processed (extracted) from a plant that has been used in South America for hundreds of years because of its sweet taste.
As for the artificial ones, just pick one that has a taste you can live with and use it.1
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