Artificial sweetners

nikegrl688

So my Fi and I were making dinner lastnight and since I was not feeling good lastnight, I did not want plain water, I wanted my crystal light water... He pointed out that I said I did not want to have artificial sweetners but that I was using one in my water.... And It seriously just bypassed my and I did not think about that; that crystal light is an artificial sweetner.

What is the pros and cons or artifical sweetners? Should I let it bother me?

I stopped with coffee because of the sweetners I put in it and now I am rethinking this.

unchatenfrance

What sweetener is in the water?

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/artificial-sweeteners/#axzz2IiAiT1Eq

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/artificial-sweeteners-insulin/#axzz2IiAiT1Eq

Apart from the health consequences of many artificial sugars, my issue with drinking something like Crystal Light is that it would only perpetuate sugar cravings.

Lobsters25

Honestly, it's all bad for you.  Sugar, artificial sweeteners, agave, high fructose corn syrup - there's simply no way to win these days.  I try to use honey more often than not, but used agave in my muffins, which I'm now regretting.

I would say it depends on your intake.  If you're having one a day and cut out the stuff in your coffee, then I don't think it's a big deal.  If it's in all of your water intake, then that's probably not so good.

nikegrl688

I was thinking about it because he said it will make you crave more sweets but It curves my sweet tooth and makes it so I do not need the cookies or chocolate. The drink makes me not want sweets anymore....

entropicbeauty

I think like most things in life, it's fine if you have it in moderation, but be aware that it might make your cravings for sugar increase rather than satiate it.

I personally loathe plain water, so if the only way I can make myself drink that over pop is to put crystal light into it...I'm going to do that. One of my long term goals is to cut back on it, but until I've completely stopped drinking pop I'm just trying to take baby steps.

You yourself have already given up a lot...IMHO it's OK if you need a stepping stone like crystal light to get to the overall goal of drinking more water.

unchatenfrance

Also, regular ol' table sugar is hardly the worst offender out there in terms of  GI index and negative effects. If you're only having one cup of coffee a day, I'd take table sugar before any franken-product any day.

nikegrl688

thanks all... I do only drink one, maybe two tops but its is because I have not had soda or water in 16 days. Zero, zip, nada... Even cut out liquor and wine. I had one glass of wine Saturday and it was soo sweet to me, I could not drink it all. I think this is helping a lot so I think no more than two crystal lights a day for everything I have given up makes sense. Please tell me im off base if I am... I do not want to derail my progress

jennylee813

There are studies to prove and disprove just about anything. One Crystal Light a day isn't going to kill you - sometimes it's just nice to have variety. Now if you were drinking gallons of it, that would be different.  I like the Nestea ones personally because they have sucralose instead of aspertame, and it doesn't give me a headache.

I am a recent tea drinker. I like 'fancy' teas (loose tea), and I drink it with one sweetener. I'm trying to switch to agave or honey, but for me the fact that I'm choosing tea over soda is in itself a victory.

Moderation.

nikegrl688

Jenny

I went to Teavana in the mall two weekends ago and I love the thought of tea but I cannot stomach the tea... Its the taste I cannot get past. I think it is awesome you are doing tea over soda!!! Score!!! Good work...

I hope I can build into tea because I love the smell and I want to drink it, just cant get past the taste!!

unchatenfrance

Jennylee, don't do agave., which at 92% fructose is worse than HFCS. Use honey - the antioxidants in it help temper the effects of sugar.

Maple syrup is also akin to honey in that way but might taste funny in tea. 

Lobsters25

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_artificial-sweetners?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:c5a7087b-cdce-4939-8d71-b4c4521608a5Post:a5027639-dfab-499d-918d-3f4dc2334b0e">Re: Artificial sweetners</a>:
[QUOTE]Jennylee, don't do agave., which at 92% fructose is worse than HFCS. Use honey - the antioxidants in it help temper the effects of sugar. Maple syrup is also akin to honey in that way but might taste funny in tea. 
Posted by unchatenfrance[/QUOTE]

This is why I'm so made I made the muffins with it.  There's no other added sugar to the recipe, but I put in like 1/3-1/2c of agave, and it made 24 muffins.  Do you think I should ditch them and make a new batch with honey?  So made at myself-I knew there was a reason I just used honey last time I made them, but it's been so long that I just forgot!

firsttimersluck

ugh... It's horrible.. Don't fill your body with chemical garbage... 

unchatenfrance

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_artificial-sweetners?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:c5a7087b-cdce-4939-8d71-b4c4521608a5Post:b25874f4-2f03-4c50-8520-e33fd54e1ba6">Re: Artificial sweetners</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Artificial sweetners : This is why I'm so made I made the muffins with it.  There's no other added sugar to the recipe, but I put in like 1/3-1/2c of agave, and it made 24 muffins.  Do you think I should ditch them and make a new batch with honey?  So made at myself-I knew there was a reason I just used honey last time I made them, but it's been so long that I just forgot!
Posted by Lobsters25[/QUOTE]

<div>I wouldn't throw them out because I am against throwing out food in principle. Eating them won't kill you, but use honey or maple syrup (or heck, even granulated sugar) next time! </div>

firsttimersluck

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_artificial-sweetners?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:c5a7087b-cdce-4939-8d71-b4c4521608a5Post:a5027639-dfab-499d-918d-3f4dc2334b0e">Re: Artificial sweetners</a>:
[QUOTE]Jennylee, don't do agave., which at 92% fructose is worse than HFCS. Use honey - the antioxidants in it help temper the effects of sugar. Maple syrup is also akin to honey in that way but might taste funny in tea. 
Posted by unchatenfrance[/QUOTE]

<div>Umm.. I'm sorry.. but no. </div><div><a href="http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/agave-nectar/" rel="nofollow">http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/agave-nectar/</a></div><div>
</div><div>Ultimately adding anything that can spike your insulin levels are bad, but anything from corn is GARBAGE, and if you're getting the right KIND of agave, it doesn't even compare. </div>

Lobsters25

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_artificial-sweetners?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:c5a7087b-cdce-4939-8d71-b4c4521608a5Post:cdbff8a1-ea2a-4907-a4ec-3490a6b9d5cc">Re: Artificial sweetners</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Artificial sweetners : I wouldn't throw them out because I am against throwing out food in principle. Eating them won't kill you, but use honey or maple syrup next time! 
Posted by unchatenfrance[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I'd probably pass them off on coworkers - people here don't seem to really care about what they eat.  I did use honey last time, so I cannot for the life of me remember why I stopped thinking and put in agave this time.  The original recipe called for sugar, too, but I didn't add any-so it's just .02 cups of agave per muffin.  I'm just so mad at myself!

sorry for thread jacking nike.  I hope you got your answer-most people are against added sweeteners, but if it's a super small amount and doesn't make you crave additional sugars, then I don't see it doing any serious damage.  Maybe you could eventually work your way down to only a small amount every other day?  Then once per week?

jennylee813

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_artificial-sweetners?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:c5a7087b-cdce-4939-8d71-b4c4521608a5Post:6b1316a1-049e-4905-bdf4-cac1d1b7c4a4">Re: Artificial sweetners</a>:
[QUOTE]Jenny I went to Teavana in the mall two weekends ago and I love the thought of tea but I cannot stomach the tea... Its the taste I cannot get past. I think it is awesome you are doing tea over soda!!! Score!!! Good work... I hope I can build into tea because I love the smell and I want to drink it, just cant get past the taste!!
Posted by nikegrl688[/QUOTE]

Nike, we have David's tea here, and I started with one called "Organic the Skinny" it's a simple digestive oolong  tea with a hint of orange. I now drink that one most of all because it's still my favourite, but I've expanded to include some other low caffeine teas. I'm drinking one called "Read my Lips" now and it has chocolate, peppermint and cinnamon in it. I also like the coco chai.

I love the smells, and it's taken me YEARS to even try. Now I'm having one just about every day. I even got my kids to give me a fancy mug with a built in steeper in it for Christmas!

Lobsters25

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_artificial-sweetners?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:c5a7087b-cdce-4939-8d71-b4c4521608a5Post:118e82ef-52fd-4011-97b0-1bc0636cf2d8">Re: Artificial sweetners</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Artificial sweetners : Umm.. I'm sorry.. but no.  <a href="http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/agave-nectar/" rel="nofollow">http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/agave-nectar/</a> Ultimately adding anything that can spike your insulin levels are bad, but anything from corn is GARBAGE, and if you're getting the right KIND of agave, it doesn't even compare. 
Posted by firsttimersluck[/QUOTE]

I think the key is the right kind of agave.  Most US stuff isn't regulated strong enough, which is the problem.  The Sugar in the Raw guys are making it now (Agave in the Raw)-and I'm scared to see the ingredient list on that.

nikegrl688

Lobster, No worries!! Open dicussion here.... Please feel free to hijack it! I did get my answer and I plan to move myself down but I needed something as a back up plan when i didnt want water. I will move to one a day in Feb and March, two a week. I need to ween myself off my crutch. 

I will keep trying different teas Jenny and see if I can find something I like and can deal with... I like the idea of the mug!! Glad you found something. I will keep trying 

unchatenfrance

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_artificial-sweetners?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:c5a7087b-cdce-4939-8d71-b4c4521608a5Post:118e82ef-52fd-4011-97b0-1bc0636cf2d8">Re: Artificial sweetners</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Artificial sweetners : Umm.. I'm sorry.. but no.  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/agave-nectar/">http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/agave-nectar/</a> Ultimately adding anything that can spike your insulin levels are bad, but anything from corn is GARBAGE, and if you're getting the right KIND of agave, it doesn't even compare. 
Posted by firsttimersluck[/QUOTE]

Two sides to everything, I guess. I still wouldn't touch agave.
<div><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.foodproductdesign.com/articles/2001/02/food-product-design-february-2001--sweetners-for.aspx">http://www.foodproductdesign.com/articles/2001/02/food-product-design-february-2001--sweetners-for.aspx</a></div>

firsttimersluck

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_artificial-sweetners?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:c5a7087b-cdce-4939-8d71-b4c4521608a5Post:96b2b19f-4d9f-4f78-bf0c-b55eef1cf4ae">Re: Artificial sweetners</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Artificial sweetners : I think the key is the right kind of agave.  Most US stuff isn't regulated strong enough, which is the problem.  The Sugar in the Raw guys are making it now (Agave in the Raw)-and I'm scared to see the ingredient list on that.
Posted by Lobsters25[/QUOTE]

<div>Yes, I agree... Of course I'm anal about reading every single ingredient on everything.. and if I don't know it I'll go home and research it first ( I accept that I'm obsessive). I also don't really touch much of any kind of sweetener other than juices (and by juices, I don't mean carton, I mean I juice my fruit and will use that) but I don't think it's fair to say that something like all-natural, organic, less refined agave is on par with HFCS. </div><div>Hell, your granulated sugar is processed with cow bones (that's what makes it white) and most table sugars aren't 100% cane, it's mixed with beet sugar. </div><div>
</div><div>
</div>

Lobsters25

cow bones, nom nom nom.

j/k....


so we think I'm okay enjoying my muffins and then making the next batch with something more regulated than honey?  or should I pawn these off? Low and behold, I did make it with the Agave in the Raw brand (this is what happens when H goes to the store)

entropicbeauty

Lobsters - I don't think one batch of agave muffins will kill you. Don't waste them! Just learn your lesson for the next batch

firsttimersluck

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_artificial-sweetners?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:c5a7087b-cdce-4939-8d71-b4c4521608a5Post:5bb372b9-b1b2-459c-8b08-5530b518df9d">Re: Artificial sweetners</a>:
[QUOTE]cow bones, nom nom nom. j/k.... so we think I'm okay enjoying my muffins and then making the next batch with something more regulated than honey?  or should I pawn these off? Low and behold, I did make it with the Agave in the Raw brand (this is what happens when H goes to the store)
Posted by Lobsters25[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>ahahaha... Honestly, I would just eat them. If you're concern is it having any added chemicals, call it a learning experience, eat, and move on for next time. </div><div>If you're concern is GI index, agave is a slow-release sugar so compared to things liek granulated, it won't spike your levels as much.. You're fine. Ya won't die from them ;) </div>

jennylee813

I wouldn't toss 'em either. Besides, a little bit of the chemicals will just help preserve your body!

nikegrl688

Do you guys like MFP or spark people better... I want to switch to MFP but I love spark people. My only disadvantage is I cannot log my food and exercise once I get home because I never use my computer from home, only work. If I switch to MFP, I can log it from my phone. Thoughts?? Preferences?

Lobsters25

I love MFP.  I used Sparkpeople first for a year, and didn't initially like MFP, but after giving it two weeks or so, I was hooked.  It has more brand name foods in it, and the app does make things so easy when I'm out.

firsttimersluck

I'm a black sheep.. I use livestrong :P haha

and OMG jenny.. bahahahaha love it.. Artifical Sweeteners = Pretty Corpse.  

entropicbeauty

I also love MFP - the ap makes it super easy, and I thought it also visually makes more sense as a web site than spark people did. Plus there's so many of us on there so it's another layer of accountability

nikegrl688

Thanks for the chime Liat. I cannot contain myself and have only one soda or one coffee so I am off both of those cold turkey.... Day 16 now!! Umm, I have never heard of Izze so I want to look into that. I am drinking nothing but water... Water thats it. So I like the crystal light now and then... No more than 2 a day max and I try to do one after dinner because it craves my sweet tooth and one in the afternoon after lunch to get me through work.

cnf2013

Grapefruit Izze for the win! They also sell them at Wegman's... which don't exist in Florida. *not helpful at all*

nikegrl688

Wegmans is awesome!!!  I miss it... Darn Florida has nothing good except Publix. I live down from target so I will give it a try. My biggest problem is the Fi doesnt want anything to do with dieting or getting healthy so he has soda and crap in the house and I can resist it but if I have one, I want more. I will try it and keep one in the house at one time.... Thank you