Sugar vs. Splenda

Aspartame is a migraine trigger for me. I used to do Splenda, but I've worked hard to cut other junk out of my diet, so I figure why would I add something purely chemical back in on purpose? Now if I need sweet, I just use a small amount of sugar. I've started using raw sugar in my tea and oatmeal. Last night my 11-yr-old made cookies with his dad and you better believe I ate one :happy:

Having never used stevia I can't comment on that. I'm happy enough to eat the real thing in limited quantity.

I had a Coke Zero for the first time yesterday and it tasted absolutely repulsive. I might as well have gulped down a bottle of chlorine or something.
Maybe try a ratio of the two, so you don't get as many calories but not as much chemical at the same time.

I use a product called "whey low". It is a combination of natural sugars (lactose, sucrose, frutose). It also has a lower glycemic index and can be used by diabetics. If you can't find it in local stores, do a goggle search.

I agree with moderation, but I try to cut out as much processed sugar as I can. I use stevia, I HATED it at first, but your body does get acclimated to it.

I've tried most of the sweeteners out there and here's my take on it.

I don't like aspertame at all. It's got a bitter aftertaste that I don't like. It gives my sister migraines.
I do like splenda, but not always. In cold drinks, such as iced tea or unsweetened kool aid it's great. Hot drinks, not always.
Truvia-I can use one packet in an entire pot of coffee and love it. If I put a whole packet in one cup of coffee it's bitter. I haven't had time to explore beyond that.

I use splenda when I cook and when I bake. I like it in those ways more than in my hot drinks. I use the splenda brown sugar blend more than the other.

The real bottom line is this: If you don't like the idea of using artificial sweeteners-don't. Just be fully conscious of how much sugar you use. Know that honey, sugar, agave nectar, and the other natural sweeteners all have calories. However, calories does not equal evil! It means measure and track. As long as you do that, there's nothing in the world wrong with using the real thing.

I've started using Truvia!
Don't know anyone elses opinions on this but it's calorie free and made from a leaf. VERY sweet, only need about 1/3 teaspoon to 1 spoon sugar.
Lovely on strawberries x

Wanted to know the same thing. I'm a big Splenda and Stevia user...and I've heard all of the bad things about it such as migraine inducer, bad chemical, appetite increase...however I have a hard time replacing something calorie free with something 60 calories per tsp.

Here's a list I found about natural sweeteners. I use some of these, but usually choose not to eat something that has to have sweetener of any kind added, I'll just choose something else, like fruit! http://www.livrite.com/sweeten.htm

I've wondered about this too - Sugar vs Sweeteners (not just Splenda). I use sweeteners b/c of calories but I don't know anything about the chemical composition of sweeteners

My personal take is that splenda is like a poison to your system. Besides the nasty after taste, it is known to give many people migraines. If the options were only regular sugar or splenda, I'd suggest small amounts of regular sugar over any amount of splenda.

At my house, we only have agave nectar or stevia as options. I would suggest giving at least one of them a try. They can be expensive but it only takes a small amount to give the sweet taste you are looking for.

I use Splenda daily. In my coffee, in my water bottles, oatmeal, etc. I like the taste of it and it has no allergic reactions to me. I do not like the Blue packet or Pink Packets of artificial sweeteners. But I do like the Splenda in the yellow packets. (NOT Twin in yellow packets that I do not like). Some people use Stevia or Truvia, but they're more expensive. I tried Stevia and found it to be too sweet for me. I prefer Splenda.

I agree with moderation, but I try to cut out as much processed sugar as I can. I use stevia, I HATED it at first, but your body does get acclimated to it.

I really have found that with Stevia (truvia, whatever name it uses by brand), less really is more. The more you use, the more likely it tastes bitter. If you use less, it tastes better. At least, that's been my experience.

HTH

I didn't think it tasted bitter, I was just holding on strong to my International Delights French Vanilla creamer! lol I actually used two drops of the liquid stevia in my coffee and it was too sweet!

I started using Splenda for specific recipes and now use it some of the time in cocoa and that sort of thing too. I may be totally wrong but I understood it to be one of the least potentially bad for you artificial sweeteners. I try to avoid aspartame amid its regular health scares (and my mum tells me it used to give me headaches and sleeping problems when I was younger).

But to be honest I'm not that militant about any of it!

'They' say unprocessed sugars like honey are better for us but has anyone ever seen a reasoned, scientific argument for it?

I don't use any artificial sweeteners at all. The few chemicals in my body, the better. I use real sugar or Stevia when I need something sweetened.

try xylitol! Hard to find, usually in the organics section!