Some Ponderings About Artificial Sweeteners

[Christine]

I have read here (and on other fitness/health boards) many people eschewing artificial sweeteners like Equal and Splenda. I know there are a lot of websites out there that tout the evils of artificial sweeteners. There are also a lot of websites out there that tout the evils of cow's milk. But none of the sites I've looked at seems to have any credible evidence that these sweeteners are truly bad for you. Many of them suggest using Stevia, which is a natural sweetener. So, just because it's from nature doesn't mean it's good for you either. Have they done extensive testing on stevia?

My point is that now that I am dieting, I find myself relying on artificial sweeteners a lot. I drink a lot of tea (the English way--sweet with milk), use artificially sweetened yogurts and jello. If I go back to sugar, I will get too many calories. I don't trust natural sweeteners anymore than the fake ones. But, I guess I might switch back to sugar if I saw some solid evidence.

Can you give me your rationale as to why you DO or DO NOT use them (or basically, how do you feel about them)?

 

[plutosmyfav]

I discovered, after much experimenting, that aspartame triggers migraines for me. I stopped using it altogether. No diet coke, no aspartame yogurt, ice cream, etc. But I use sweet 'n low and splenda. I try to keep my use as low as possible. I have another theory: too much "sweet" taste keeps you thinking of sweets. No science behind it, just my theory

Sunny

 

[Kimickey]

I like to use Splenda and only Splenda because it has more of a sugar taste and it's zero calories.

 

[kayeandjim00]

I use Equal but only in coffee. I didn't start drinking coffee until a couple of years ago and always put Equal in it so I've never really had it any other way except at Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. I don't like Diet Coke or any other "diet" products but for whatever reason don't get an aftertaste when I drink it in coffee. I have not tried Splenda but have heard good things about it. As for what it could do to me... I just don't think about it really. I eat as much organic as possible and do try to stick to natural foods when possible but in this situation a substitue - Equal works out good for me. I think it would be hard for the small amount I consume daily to be much of a problem.

 

[lmhall2000]

I'm a big fan of history....thousands of millions of folks have lived before us...they lived off the land, ya know the land of milk and honey....those things were "designed" for us to eat. I am very wary of anything this century or last that has artificially been designed.

So I only do butter...no margarine, I don't buy prepackaged lean quisines or other items that need lots of preservatives...I make my own cookies from real foods not artificially flavored foods.

I do have an occasional diet coke..but I'm trying to cut those out for the knowledge that the chemicals in it may fool my taste buds but may make some other organ the fool years down the road. I probably take it too far...but I think, "is it wrong to want whole, natural foods v. easy and convenient foods?" It may take extra effort to make homemade cookies for my kids desserts (don't get me wrong a Hershey bar will pop up now and then)...but that actually is a fun time for us to do something together. And I like preparing good snacks for my kids...they love carrot sticks, celery, cheese and apples...never had fruit roll-ups or pop-tarts on our grocery list. At Grandma's they can eat all the junk they want but I want them to see the value in food and the value it brings to their body...the only value I see in artifical sweeteners is the trick you're playing on your taste buds...if you want something sweeter go with real sweeteners like honey, brown sugar or refined...I used to hate unsweet tea but now could not drink sweet tea...but I do love sugar in my cookies! But for hot earl grey tea I do love a spoon of honey in it!

That's my take...
Tara

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I stopped using aspartame b/c of the evils I discovered about it. Once eliminated lots of problems I had went away--but it has been about 3 or 4 years and I don't recall what all the problems are.

There was nothing wrong with aspartame when it first came out--it's all research after it has been on the market a while. So I choose not to do the new wave of artificial sweeteners b/c I fear the same things. I have no need for it and get enough "sweets" out of fruits and such.

And if I'm going to have a concoction like a cookie or brownie or something...I want it to be all real.

I'm chemical phobic--I do cave in to what's easiest sometimes but whole and homemade is soooo much better.

 

[welovedis]

I cannot use artificial sweeteners of any type, they cause urinary tract bleeding for me. Locally, I know the University of Rochester is conducting a study that is trying to prove/disprove an increased rise in infertility with the use of artificial sweeteners. And I also know that there is so much out there in the media, interenet, etc...that could lead you one way or another.

I feel a lot like Tara, and just really budget my calories for that 1/2 spoon of honey. I also drink my tea unsweetened, it just took me a short time to make that adjustment.

GL with whatever you decide, I really think this is one of those things that there are so many answers to you just have to make a choice to do what you can live with.

 

[Christine]

Thanks for you replies, so far!!

I definitely know how you feel Tara and I am also doing my best to move away from too much processing. Unfortunately, my "lifestyle" gets in the way of that all to often. I work full-time plus have a commute that is up to two hours. It doesn't leave me much time to prepare many "from scratch" meals. I definitely fix my kids a real meal every night and it's very plain. I will also make them pancakes in the morning versus put one in the toaster---it's not that hard, even when you have to leave at 5:30 a.m. My downfall probably is the Lean Cuisines. If I don't have enough leftovers, I do resort to them because it is better than the deli on the first floor of my building! Oh well, I get what you're saying.

Anyone, I also do not use Splenda/Equal in baking or cooking because I'd also rather have the real thing. When the fruit is in season, I will eat plain, nonfat yogurt with fruit mixed in.

I guess the real problem is my 2-3 cups a day (and they are big cups) of hot tea and my one soda a day. I'm a little worried about it. I have tried a zillion times to go with no sweetness in my tea and I can't do it.

I don't know how I feel about Splenda. I did try it in my tea and it seemed like I had to use more of it to get the same level of sweetness. Also, I've heard that too much can give you the "runs". Yuck, I don't need that. I know Splenda is supposedly "derived" from sugar, but it still is a chemical process (which I guess sugar is too??).

Oh, well. Thanks for the advice.

 

[DisneyGirl]

I also use Equal in my tea and coffee, and am a diet soda junkie... The recent scientific studies are showing that Equal and Splenda have no harmful effects (Equal's been around for over 20 years-- Splenda, not that long). Of course, that means we don't have any studies further than that, but I don't worry about such things-- so many more things to worry about in life...

Some people do have allergic reactions to Equal (migraines are the most common symptom)

You'd be surprised how many things have an artificial sweetner in it, even if you dont' think they are there-- there are so many times that I just happened to look at the side of a bottle/box, and saw that it has aspartame in addition to sugar-- even though they don't say "diet" or anything like that, so if you don't want to consume it, make sure you check all your packages!!!

 

[johde]

I use both Splenda and Equal although I am trying to cut down on both. They don't seem to be causing any of the problem saccharin causes. Saccharin (Sweet and Low) raises my brother blood pressure so, I've never really tried it.

 

[DoeWDW]

Very interesting topic!

I find that when I do strict low-carb with whole natural foods, I really lose the taste for sweet stuff. However, once I have a little something sugary or sweetened, those cravings come back for me. I do my best to stay away from sweetened stuff, no matter what it is sweetened with - sugar, honey, Splenda, etc.

For the rare times that I need to sweeten something, I'll use Splenda. This usually happens maybe once a week, unless I'm pre-TOM (all bets are off right before TOM ). Other artificial sweeteners like Equal and Sweet & Low leave a bitter taste in my mouth, but Splenda doesn't. I figure if I use it in moderation, I'll be fine.

My drink of choice is tons and tons of water, so I can't help with the coffee, tea or soda dillemas.

Best wishes with whatever you choose!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You'd be surprised how many things have an artificial sweetner in it, even if you dont' think they are there-- there are so many times that I just happened to look at the side of a bottle/box, and saw that it has aspartame in addition to sugar-- even though they don't say "diet" or anything like that, so if you don't want to consume it, make sure you check all your packages!!!

Good point...

another note--"sugar free" usually means that an artificial sweetener was used in it's place and "no sugar added" usually means it was prepared without sugars including the fake kind. You still need to read the ingredients.

Most if not all light yogurts for example are prepared with aspartame or some other sugar substitute. Bugs me--b/c why can't I have something light and low in calories without them trying to fake the sweetness. I just don't get it.

 

[plutosmyfav]

Some people do have allergic reactions to Equal (migraines are the most common symptom)

You'd be surprised how many things have an artificial sweetner in it, even if you dont' think they are there--

I'm one of the migraine ones. I always check the labels for the warning to phenaly.... (I won't even try to spell it). If the warnings there, aspartame (Equal) is in the product and I avoid it.

 

[plutosmyfav]

\ Bugs me--b/c why can't I have something light and low in calories without them trying to fake the sweetness. I just don't get it.

YES!!!! I am bugged that the new "1/3 less and 1/2 less sugar" cereals have artificial sweetners. Can't we just learn to eat "less sweet"? I bought a bunch of "reduced sugar" cereal bars for my son and then read the label (I usually do it the other way round). They had sugar alcohol in them. That stuff can definitely give you the "runs". DS didn't get any!!!!!!