Is it bad for kids to have zero calorie sweeteners?

myiceisonfire
myiceisonfire Posts: 782 Member
edited October 1 in Food and Nutrition
I've heard a few people say that zero-calorie sweeteners aren't good for you. But let's face it, people aren't going to stop eating it.
I like my sugar free pudding, sugar free jello, etc.

But what I want to know is... Can it be bad bad for kids? Could it harm them in the long run?

I don't buy it for my son, but he likes to eat from my food sometimes & I don't want to give him my pudding or jello if it's bad for him.

I don't plan on giving him a whole pudding or jello... It would just be a spoonful of mine. Which isn't much, but still

edit: When buying things with zero calorie sweeteners, it's only Splenda.
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Replies

  • saadler
    saadler Posts: 116
    I was raised eating and drinking diet things (Dad is diabetic), and so far I'm healthy (other than needing to lose weight, but that's not from zero cal sweeteners).
  • graysmom2005
    graysmom2005 Posts: 1,882 Member
    It's not healthy no. When I see little kids with a diet coke or coke zero in their hand I cringe. It's too young to have to deal with artificial chemicals. I would avoid it at all costs and give moderate amounts of full calorie things. Just my humble!
  • 3ricaAnn
    3ricaAnn Posts: 288
    zero calorie sweetners can confuse the body into thinking that everything sweet has zero calories to burn off; therefore storing it as fat.
  • Neoneko
    Neoneko Posts: 16 Member
    Diet products tend to contains aspartame whilst in the most part is not too harmful it can have some side effects.
  • ak_in_ak
    ak_in_ak Posts: 657 Member
    the reason zero calorie sweeteners are considered bad is becasue the body does not know how to process them
  • Hoppymom
    Hoppymom Posts: 1,158 Member
    I have a friend whose husband is a chemist. He won't let her drink it when she is pregnant and nursing, because of all of the negative traits it has. It is also an appetite stimulant. It's part of the reason I became obese. I would drink 3-4 Diet Coke's a day (thinking it's no different than coffee) and it has less caffine but I was always hungry. So I ate. Please find nutritious things for your children to eat. Offer water first when they ask for a snack. Often dehydration mimics hunger.
  • JennsLosing
    JennsLosing Posts: 1,026
    I was raised eating and drinking diet things (Dad is diabetic), and so far I'm healthy (other than needing to lose weight, but that's not from zero cal sweeteners).
    me too...i didnt gain weight until i started partying and drinking till all hours of the night and eating tacos, fajitas, blts and cheeseburgers at 5 in the morning.
  • LuneBleu85
    LuneBleu85 Posts: 217
    What are they made out of? I'm not sure I've seen those (I live in the middle of nowhere, to be fair). I did read some scary studies about aspartame (it gives me headaches also so I have to avoid it). I would say that if they contain aspartame they might not be a good idea.
  • myiceisonfire
    myiceisonfire Posts: 782 Member
    What are they made out of? I'm not sure I've seen those (I live in the middle of nowhere, to be fair). I did read some scary studies about aspartame (it gives me headaches also so I have to avoid it). I would say that if they contain aspartame they might not be a good idea.

    Slenda, i believe
  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
    My kids fav thing is a diet coke cake,so far they are fine...my daughter has a tail but im sure its compleatly unrelated
  • Just_Bethy
    Just_Bethy Posts: 272
    I wouldn't give it to them..purely because no one knows whatthe long term affects of these can be...Someone that consumes these chemicals over 30-40 or even 50 years...we can't know...they haven't been around long enough...but a bite of your pudding..won't hurt..
  • emswear
    emswear Posts: 11
    Aspartame was developed by the military. it started out as a POISON to attack the neurological system and meant to slip into a drink with out them noticing it and killing a person slowly over time. its not good for anybody, let alone a child. Google it. maybe I'm wrong, but I definitely don't let my child have it.
  • khoolette
    khoolette Posts: 73
    Diet products tend to contains aspartame whilst in the most part is not too harmful it can have some side effects.
  • Mrs_Hutch
    Mrs_Hutch Posts: 3
    Stevia is a safe natural sweetener. It's a dried ground up plant. Agave is also another natural sweetener, derived from a cactus plant. These are two of the safest, all natural sweetener alternatives to sugar.

    I agree, people aren't going to stop consuming artificial sweeteners. Just be aware of how much and what you're giving to your kids. Aspartame can cause headaches in some, but so can other foods that people are not tolerant of. It's an individual sensitivity. It is also a chemical sweetener and while are stomachs do contain an acid that can eat through most things, it's also not usually a good idea to overload your system with artificial items. Splenda, which is derived from sugar, is also only a few molecules away from being bleach...I haven't read any of the long term studies, but friends who have saying their finding the results of long term use are not positive.

    Your best bet is to stick with all natural sweeteners. I occasionally buy SF pudding and I drink Diet Soda on occasion. I can't handle too much sugar and most things now-a-days contain High Fructose Corn Syrup and that makes me very ill so I stay away from it whenever I can. The trick is really moderation.
  • kmumansky
    kmumansky Posts: 119
    My kids fav thing is a diet coke cake,so far they are fine...my daughter has a tail but im sure its compleatly unrelated

    Wish there was a "like" button :)
  • khoolette
    khoolette Posts: 73
    I have read and been told by a lady who studies nutrition, that aspartame is extremely harmful. It has been linked to many health issues, such as migraines and eye problems. I even read that some diabetics who were diagnosed with retinopathy, were actually having side effects from aspartame instead.
  • myiceisonfire
    myiceisonfire Posts: 782 Member
    Aspartame was developed by the military. it started out as a POISON to attack the neurological system and meant to slip into a drink with out them noticing it and killing a person slowly over time. its not good for anybody, let alone a child. Google it. maybe I'm wrong, but I definitely don't let my child have it.

    I've heard bad things about aspartame but didn't know that... I only use or eat things that have Splenda when I have something with a zero calorie sweetener.
  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
    Aspartame was developed by the military. it started out as a POISON to attack the neurological system and meant to slip into a drink with out them noticing it and killing a person slowly over time. its not good for anybody, let alone a child. Google it. maybe I'm wrong, but I definitely don't let my child have it.

    I've heard bad things about aspartame but didn't know that... I only use or eat things that have Splenda when I have something with a zero calorie sweetener.

    You didnt know that because its not true.Aspartame, was accidentally discovered in 1965 by Jim Schlatter. Schlatter was trying to discover new treatments for gastric ulcers
  • Bakins929
    Bakins929 Posts: 895 Member
    Aspartame was developed by the military. it started out as a POISON to attack the neurological system and meant to slip into a drink with out them noticing it and killing a person slowly over time. its not good for anybody, let alone a child. Google it. maybe I'm wrong, but I definitely don't let my child have it.

    "Aspartame was discovered in 1965 by James M. Schlatter, a chemist working for G.D. Searle & Company. Schlatter had synthesized aspartame in the course of producing an antiulcer drug candidate. He accidentally discovered its sweet taste when he licked his finger, which had become contaminated with aspartame, to lift up a piece of paper."
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartame

    G.D. Searle is now part of Pfizer.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Aspartame was developed by the military. it started out as a POISON to attack the neurological system and meant to slip into a drink with out them noticing it and killing a person slowly over time. its not good for anybody, let alone a child. Google it. maybe I'm wrong, but I definitely don't let my child have it.

    "Killing a person slowly" has never really been a top military goal.
  • MyNewLeaf
    MyNewLeaf Posts: 40
    Aspartame was developed by the military. it started out as a POISON to attack the neurological system and meant to slip into a drink with out them noticing it and killing a person slowly over time. its not good for anybody, let alone a child. Google it. maybe I'm wrong, but I definitely don't let my child have it.

    I've heard bad things about aspartame but didn't know that... I only use or eat things that have Splenda when I have something with a zero calorie sweetener.

    See, this is the problem. Splenda (which is chlorinated sugar), has only been around for 10 years or so. Let's say we find out in 10, 20 or 40 years that it causes some major damage. You are SENTENCING YOUR CHILDREN** to a future of.... and that's just it. We don't know yet, but once we do, it will be too late to undo what has been done. That is the problem with not being very careful with what our children are exposed to. Whether they like it or not, you are in control of what they get in their formative years (formative years make a tremendous difference to future health).

    **Don't mean to sound holier than thou or like I'm yelling, but hope the concept stands out, because adults have all the power in terms of the next generation's health.

    Just by googling "splenda bad", I got this list (results from animal tests), but there are many other articles too. Bear in mind, you'll always find positive articles about artificial foods or anything where someone has a vested interest in the product being successful and those companies pay dearly to ensure their products have a good marketing spin. it comes down to money, so always read positives with a grain of salt and ask questions.

    partial list of Splenda effects:

    Shrunken thymus glands (up to 40% shrinkage)
    Enlarged liver and kidneys.
    Atrophy of lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus
    Increased cecal weigh
    Reduced growth rate
    Decreased red blood cell count
    Hyperplasia of the pelvis
    Extension of the pregnancy period
    Aborted pregnancy
    Decreased fetal body weights and placental weights
    Diarrhea

    On yahoo's main page, I saw an article called "How one family broke their junk food addiction". The mom has a blog called 100daysofrealfood . The article is there now if you scroll through the news articles.

    Books that will explain how and why fake food will mess up your hormones, make you fat, and make you extremely unhealthy:

    Master Your Metabolism: The 3 Diet Secrets to Naturally Balancing Your Hormones for a Hot and Healthy Body!
    by fitness guru Jillian Michaels

    Any book by Michael Pollan will help you look at your food and understand why you're hurting yourself if you consume the artificial stuff.

    Finally, in giving kids treats, here's what I employ: "After you eat all the protein, fat, carb, veggie and fruit that I want you to eat right now, so I know you're going to be healthy and strong, you may have a treat." This keeps their blood sugar balanced and makes them fill up so they're not as ravenous for treats, and therefore more likely to take a reasonable treat portion rather than overdo it. Now if only I were as strict with myself, but I'm working on it. :)
  • myiceisonfire
    myiceisonfire Posts: 782 Member
    Aspartame was developed by the military. it started out as a POISON to attack the neurological system and meant to slip into a drink with out them noticing it and killing a person slowly over time. its not good for anybody, let alone a child. Google it. maybe I'm wrong, but I definitely don't let my child have it.

    I've heard bad things about aspartame but didn't know that... I only use or eat things that have Splenda when I have something with a zero calorie sweetener.

    See, this is the problem. Splenda (which is chlorinated sugar), has only been around for 10 years or so. Let's say we find out in 10, 20 or 40 years that it causes some major damage. You are SENTENCING YOUR CHILDREN** to a future of.... and that's just it. We don't know yet, but once we do, it will be too late to undo what has been done. That is the problem with not being very careful with what our children are exposed to. Whether they like it or not, you are in control of what they get in their formative years (formative years make a tremendous difference to future health).

    **Don't mean to sound holier than thou or like I'm yelling, but hope the concept stands out, because adults have all the power in terms of the next generation's health.

    Just by googling "splenda bad", I got this list (results from animal tests), but there are many other articles too. Bear in mind, you'll always find positive articles about artificial foods or anything where someone has a vested interest in the product being successful and those companies pay dearly to ensure their products have a good marketing spin. it comes down to money, so always read positives with a grain of salt and ask questions.

    partial list of Splenda effects:

    Shrunken thymus glands (up to 40% shrinkage)
    Enlarged liver and kidneys.
    Atrophy of lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus
    Increased cecal weigh
    Reduced growth rate
    Decreased red blood cell count
    Hyperplasia of the pelvis
    Extension of the pregnancy period
    Aborted pregnancy
    Decreased fetal body weights and placental weights
    Diarrhea

    On yahoo's main page, I saw an article called "How one family broke their junk food addiction". The mom has a blog called 100daysofrealfood . The article is there now if you scroll through the news articles.

    Books that will explain how and why fake food will mess up your hormones, make you fat, and make you extremely unhealthy:

    Master Your Metabolism: The 3 Diet Secrets to Naturally Balancing Your Hormones for a Hot and Healthy Body!
    by fitness guru Jillian Michaels

    Any book by Michael Pollan will help you look at your food and understand why you're hurting yourself if you consume the artificial stuff.

    Finally, in giving kids treats, here's what I employ: "After you eat all the protein, fat, carb, veggie and fruit that I want you to eat right now, so I know you're going to be healthy and strong, you may have a treat." This keeps their blood sugar balanced and makes them fill up so they're not as ravenous for treats, and therefore more likely to take a reasonable treat portion rather than overdo it. Now if only I were as strict with myself, but I'm working on it. :)

    I give my son 3 healthy meals a day... This was more of a question of him seeing me eating something and he wanted to try it.
  • carrie1128
    carrie1128 Posts: 267 Member
    For anyone wanting to cut it out for themselves or their kids, just an FYI, it is in a lot of products that are not labeled as diet or low sugar. Check labels for sucralose. You'll be surprised at how much it's in, including a lot of bread, rolls and English muffins.
  • jarrettd
    jarrettd Posts: 872 Member
    [Just by googling "splenda bad", I got this list (results from animal tests), but there are many other articles too. Bear in mind, you'll always find positive articles about artificial foods or anything where someone has a vested interest in the product being successful and those companies pay dearly to ensure their products have a good marketing spin. it comes down to money, so always read positives with a grain of salt and ask questions.


    Please also keep in mind that "negative study results" can come from someone with a vested interest in a competing product's success. Very few people and even fewer corporate entities are honest, noble, or altruistic. It does come down to spin, nearly always, even from our own government.

    Anything can become next year's or next generation's Class Action Lawsuit. Use common sense and moderation, not scare tactics and popular opinion.
  • MyNewLeaf
    MyNewLeaf Posts: 40
    I give my son 3 healthy meals a day... This was more of a question of him seeing me eating something and he wanted to try it.

    I'm very sorry if I offended you. I guess I wanted you to see that Splenda could be hurting you, too. It was a long way around of saying i don't think anyone should eat any Splenda whatsoever, not even a bite. I think the potential gains someone gets in weight loss are not worth the potential losses in health.

    There was another post above mine that talked about stevia and agave, Both of which are probably better than artificials, but I've seen conflicting reports on agave too, so I use it just sometimes.

    Good luck whatever you do.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Aspartame was developed by the military. it started out as a POISON to attack the neurological system and meant to slip into a drink with out them noticing it and killing a person slowly over time. its not good for anybody, let alone a child. Google it. maybe I'm wrong, but I definitely don't let my child have it.

    Absolutely false. Who told you that story? Aspartame was invented by a scientist who was working on anti-ulcer medication, when he hit upon a very sweet formula.

    Also, aspartame has been around since the 1960's, and it's still studied today. All studies, from over 100 countries around the world, label it as safe for consumption with no ill effects (beyond potential allergies, but those are completely unrelated to it being a manufactured chemical, after all people are allergic to all kinds of "natural" foods.)
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    Can't really stop laughing at the military killing you slowly with aspartame :)

    Anyhow, to the OP...

    I personally do not feed my child anything containing the following when I cook at home:

    Preservatives
    Food Dyes
    MSG
    High Fructose Corn Syrup
    Other unnatural additives

    By doing so, that actually rules out any intentionally sugar free type foods. I'd rather he eat sugar in it's regular old form as the body knows what to do with it on it's own. And sugar, on it's own, is not really the devil :devil: Same goes with fats in this house. We eat normal old fats the way the cow made them :)

    When we go out somewhere he can have anything he wants (he eats really healthy on his own accord, so I really don't restrict him). So he does have that stuff when we go out - except MSG as he's allergic (we think). So, he gets that stuff, but I figure if I can do better at home, that's half the battle right there.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member

    Also, aspartame has been around since the 1960's, and it's still studied today. All studies, from over 100 countries around the world, label it as safe for consumption with no ill effects (beyond potential allergies, but those are completely unrelated to it being a manufactured chemical, after all people are allergic to all kinds of "natural" foods.)

    Yup! nuts, shellfish, avocado *sobbing*
  • myiceisonfire
    myiceisonfire Posts: 782 Member
    I give my son 3 healthy meals a day... This was more of a question of him seeing me eating something and he wanted to try it.

    I'm very sorry if I offended you. I guess I wanted you to see that Splenda could be hurting you, too. It was a long way around of saying i don't think anyone should eat any Splenda whatsoever, not even a bite. I think the potential gains someone gets in weight loss are not worth the potential losses in health.

    There was another post above mine that talked about stevia and agave, Both of which are probably better than artificials, but I've seen conflicting reports on agave too, so I use it just sometimes.

    Good luck whatever you do.

    Not offended, don't worry =)
  • cmDaffy
    cmDaffy Posts: 6,991 Member
    Here's my take... I prefer my kids to have "real" sweeteners when possible, but because I'm diabetic, we do have things with artificial sweeteners in them, and sometimes they eat them. Personally, I've been having them when the only choice was Saccharin, and if I wanted something other than water to drink, I had my "Faygo" diet soda or Tab. According to my doc, I'm healthier than 95% of his patients, and my only health issue is that I could stand to lose 20#.

    I've known morbidly obese people who have never touched a drop of artificial sweeteners, I've known runners who that's all they seem to consume. I think it's a decision that you and your pediatrician need to make together..
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