Question about sweeteners

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Question about sweeteners
16
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 10:07am
I read the SBD book a while ago, and it's my MIL's copy, so I don't have easy access to it at the moment (I'm getting my own copy this weekend). Anyway - I seem to recall something about using artificial sweeteners (like Splenda) instead of sugar in things like coffee and the desserts, etc. My dh (who is being unbelievably supportive of my efforts), is trying out SBD also, but he has a strong sensitivity to aspartame type products - it gives him horrible migraines. Is there anyway to avoid using the artifical stuff - can we just use regular sugar, just maybe less of it? Any ideas would be appreciated, and of course, if I'm remembering wrong about the book recommending sugar substitutes, please correct me.

Thanks,

Terri

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 10:26am
Use the Splenda.
MelMel
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 10:28am
I learned in my diet and Nutrition class, a certain sweetner that doesn't contain aspartame and is healthier than sugar... It's called " Stevia" , or sweetleaf, it's an herb that is a fairly strong sweetener. It has no calories and can be used by people with diabetes or hypoglycemia. It comes in leaf form, and I think you can find it at a natural foods grocery store. But if you're looking for sweets without Aspartame, Blue Bunny Fudge Bars, the " No Sugar Added", they contain no aspartine and taste really good. I hope this helps!

Bonnie

174/168/150

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 10:36am
I don't think Saccharin is a healthy choice, Even Asparame is healthier than Saccharin. The FDA and many consumer avocates are pushing to ban Saccharin because i pushes mild carcinogen. All items currently containing Saccharin have a warning label. Therefore, even aspartame is healthier than saccharin.

Bonnie

174/168/150

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 10:47am
Thanks. Both saccharin & aspartame are out for him. I think he said it's the phenalalynine? Does that make sense? Anyway - I'm willing to try the Splenda on him, but he's pretty leery about it. I don't blame him - migraines are the worst.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-30-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 11:02am
If your dh is leery about artifical sweeteners then get Stevia a try it is a natural sweetener. It is made from the crysanthemum (sp?) flower, it does say "not approved by the FDA" but that is only becuase it is considered an herbal supplement and the FDA has no involvement with the herbal industry.

My son is extreamly allergic to Aspartame, so I understand. Sugar is best for him, Stevia also good, Splenda if zero calories were needed would be ok for him too.

Good Luck

Jedi

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 11:06am

Posted by Jedi yesterday as a response to catsjamjams "sugar-free" question...


MelMel
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-30-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 11:15am
Research history proves that saccharin, the pink stuff known as Sweet 'N Low, is perfectly safe for human use and has always been safe to use. The pink stuff never caused cancer in any human being in over 100 years of use. Saccharin has only received a total of six FDA complaints whereas aspartame, found in the blue packet known as NutraSweet's Equal, had received over 10,000 complaints to the FDA after only ten years of use. Aspartame has been proven in laboratory studies to eat holes in the brains of laboratory animals,cause mammary gland and testes tumors, lower fetal IQ and adversely affect fetal formation, yet it has no danger warning other than for Phenylketonuria, the inherited inability to process the amino acid phenylalanine.

In 1981, saccharin was again questioned as a carcinogen, but no respectable scientific proof was ever presented. In 2001, the cancer warning was removed from saccharin product labels as saccharin was shown, once again, to be safe for human consumption, as it has never been proven to cause cancer in humans. The laboratory protocols used to prove saccharin caused cancer in laboratory rats have been questioned as being unethical modus operandi.

As of 2003, saccharin is now sold without the cancer warning and is being reintroduced into food products.

A few of the 90 different documented symptoms being caused by aspartame include:

Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.

According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame:(2)

Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, parkinson's disease, alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.

Not preaching... but I think it is important for people to understand that Aspartame is not so safe. If you would like to read alittle more about the history of Aspartame and Saccharin check out the post: "Sugar Free" Stuff message #2975.4, it explains why one is "considered bad" and the other is not. I am not saying Saccharin is the best thing in the world for you, nothing that is artifical truely good for you, but I thought you might like the information.

Jedi

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 11:28am
You actually sound just like my husband - he's did a lot of research on aspartame, and he won't go near the stuff - not just because it makes him ill, but because he's afraid of what might happen to him that's worse than a migraine. He won't touch saccharine either, and he's said to me before that he thinks Splenda is the same thing. I'm going to have him research Splenda (he'll feel better if he sees it for himself) and if he doesn't think it's a good idea, I'll try and find the natural stuff that you mentioned.

Thanks so much for all the help...

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 11:43am
Okay so everyone just gang up on me jeez. I was just stating what I know and what my doctors told me. either way, neither aspartame or saccharin are SUPER good for you. I guess I'll keep my thoughtsto myself from now on Sheesh.

Bonnie

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 12:06pm

Now, Bonnie, no need to get upset.

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