Sweetener Debate

Joannie30
Joannie30 Posts: 415 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
The artificial sweetener debate is of interest to me...

I switched to sweeteners a while ago after my dentist told me i had to cut back on sugar. I use approx 4-8 teaspoons of sweetner in my coffees/teas over the course of a day.

So, is that ok, or not?

Replies

  • Fay84Vegan
    Fay84Vegan Posts: 225 Member
    Personally i don't think sweetners are healthy. I replace sugar with healthy natural substitutes like maple syrup, brown rice syrup, fruit, even honey. If you can't be without sugar maybe just try cutting down the amount you add to your coffee / tea.
  • beattie1
    beattie1 Posts: 1,012 Member
    I use about the same amount of saccharin as you do in a day & don't worry about it - it's better than swallowing all that sugar. I once gave up sugar in tea & just got used to it unsweetened, then found I'd gone right off tea!

    I wouldn't call maple syrup, brown rice syrup or honey healthy as they all contain sucrose, otherwise known as sugar.
  • toasterlisa
    toasterlisa Posts: 100 Member
    I "learned" to drink both hot tea and iced tea without any sweetener. It's an acquired taste, but I think it was worth the effort.

    I still can't drink coffee without sweetener, so I drink coffee very infrequently. When I do, though, it's just one packet of Splenda, which I think is 1/2 tsp.

    There are theories that using too much of any type sweetener just encourages our body to crave more sweet things.

    Best wishes on your health and wellness journey!
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    Artificial sweeteners are super processed chemicals. For the most part, it's not a good thing to be putting them in your body. However, if you keep your dosage low, they will not kill you.

    Alternatively, go natural. Stevia is an all natural 0 calorie sweetener. Go for the extract, or extract mixed with fiber; rather than truvia which is stevia and xylitol (yuck!). It's way sweeter than most of the artificial stuff, and can provide a source of extra fiber! I use it in my coffee and tea. Some people do find it has a licorice-like aftertaste. I don't. Just so you know!

    Yay for giving up sugar, it's not an easy habit to kick!
  • tsh0ck
    tsh0ck Posts: 1,970 Member
    The artificial sweetener debate is of interest to me...

    I switched to sweeteners a while ago after my dentist told me i had to cut back on sugar. I use approx 4-8 teaspoons of sweetner in my coffees/teas over the course of a day.

    So, is that ok, or not?

    yes. it's just fine. there are zero problems with them.
  • stephkyp
    stephkyp Posts: 12
    i TO HAD THE CONCERN ABOUT SWEETENERS - I USE SPLENDA - I SWITCHED TO STEVIA - THEN HAD A SEVERE ALERGIC REACTION - SO NO MORE FOR ME - BACK TO SPLENDA - I DID TRY (I AM DIABETIC)
  • MissNations
    MissNations Posts: 513 Member
    Have you tried cutting back? I agree with an earlier poster that tea is really good plain, once you learn to drink it that way. Coffee...well, coffee will always need a little something, be it milk or sweetener...
This discussion has been closed.

Categories