the sugar free craze

Okay, I'm soo confused right now.

Is sugar really that bad for you? I mean, just a few months ago there was a whole fat free craze going on everywhere..but now that I go to the store there's sug free pudding, sug free cookies, sug free syrup...but it's all, of course, sweetened with splenda or other artificial sweetners.

I mean, I don't know. I love being healthy. And I know sugars don't have nutrients and increase risk of heart disease, diabetes, etc...BUT. How is aspartame, sucralose, maltitol..better for you at all!? Like, they're all artificially made and processed. I admit I do use splenda and drink diet soda and stuff. But now I'm having second thoughts...

help?

Artificial sweeteners have less calories -- simple as that.

However, as you know, less calories isn't always better. A Krispy Kreme donut and 4 small apples have the same amount of calories, but which is better for you?

Do remember, though, that this is YOUR diet. Do what works for you. A bit of sugar, whether it is real or artificial, will not hurt. I have diet soda now and then, but I treat it like a treat instead of replacing my water with it. Moderation is key.

I know. I just don't use sugar at all on anything. I just eat it naturally from fruits or on some other foods

 I love sweetening up my coffee, oatmeal, cocoa, soy milk...and I just dont know if I'm using TOO much of artificial sweeteners.

 

I do admit that I purchase quite a bit of sugar free foods, mainly because they are lower in calories than their original counterparts.  The reason why I believe the whole fat free craze didnt work was because it was replaced with with sugar calories and vice versa with the low carb craze, many of those cookies had up to 10 grams of fat and most saturated!  I think you need to pick and choose your foods wisely when it  comes to "fat free" "sugar free" and "low carb"

Example: Sugar free puddings and jellies are almost 75% less calories than their counterparts but sugar free cookies (like vortman or murrays) still have higher fat content and also similar calorie contents than the original, same with sugar free chocolates and candies.

 

Yeah, I just hope those artificial sweetners don't have any negative effects on our bodies in the long run...

I don't really buy the cookies or anything, I was just giving examples. I eat a lot of good fats, hardly sat fats.

But about the puddings...I used to get the jello sug free for 60 cals right. But then I looked at the ingredients and it was alllll artificial plus hydrogenated oils. thats trans fat! :( so those got banned

I don't believe in using "artificial" sweetners and would rather just have some honey or maple syrup.

Moderate amounts of saturated fat or sugar or salt or any of the other current nutrition 'bad-guys' aren't bad for us at all.   And certainly not if your daily diet contains plenty of vegetables and other good foods.  If you live on sugary, fatty foods to the extent that you become obese you've got a problem. 

Manufacturers of  food products seize on the latest fad and then remodel their (usually quite unhealthy) product so that they can market it as containing less of the thing we're all suddenly scared about.  To keep the product edible, however, the fat gets replaced with thickeners and emulsifiers and the sugar is replaced with chemical sweetners.  The list of ingredients grows, a 'sugar free' flash goes on the label, and the product is no more healthy than it was originally.

My personal view is that some foods exist, not because they're nutritious, but because they're a pleasure to eat.  If you're going to buy a cake, buy a good quality cake made with sugar, butter, flour and so forth.... or better still, make your own cake....  and then eat just one and enjoy it.  Much better than buying a low-fat, sugar-free, chemically-enhanced cake thinking it's healthier.... and eating ten!!!

Artificial sweeteners are so awful for your body. Losing weight should not mean you destroy your body.  Studies are showing that artificial sweeteners may actually be making you fatter. If you already have not seen this on the world news, please research this yourselves. Just type in these words under search, (artificial sugar can make you fat) and you will find lots of info from ABC News, CBS, Time and many more sites talk about this subject.

 If you love desert and sugar, try Stevia in your deserts or tea. Stevia is an all natural herb that is sweeter than sugar and has no calories. You can find this at Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage, many natural grocers carry it. There is a big difference between Stevia and artificial sweetener and the word artificial should say it all. Please do your own research about how artificial sugars affects your body and also research Stevia. Knowledge is a powerful thing.  

Did you know that asthma and allergies have increased very significantly? Feeling tired, have aches or have a weird symptom that will not go away? With all the crap we put in our bodies it is a no wonder! Eat non-toxic foods, exercise, and you will have so much more energy for your weight loss. That does not mean you have to eat salads all the time and no dessert.

I have to agree with GI Jane! When your dieing for that soda and do not drink it everyday, really go for the regular and run from the diet, you are being so much more kind to your body. Do not drink it everyday though, if you do, quit! Soda, especially cola has some other nasty side affects besides calories or sugar.  Try a cup or iced green tea with Stevia instead. Green tea has so many things in it that are good for you and studies are showing it may help aid with weight loss. Weight loss should not be about deprivation, chemicals or beauty. Weight loss should really be about the need to love oneself inside and out, which means caring about our health!     

I think the main reason that sugar free foods are everywhere is not only to market them to people who want reduced calorie options.  Some people, for example me, have to limit the amount of sugar they eat in a day due to insulin resistance.  Having sugar free options allows a whole different group of people to enjoy snacks/treats that they weren't able to enjoy previously.

Hello Kell, I am sorry that you have such a horrible condition. According to the American Heart Association there are studies that shows people who use diet drinks and artificial sugars are at a higher risk for obesity and metabolic syndrome (a medley of medical problems such as abdominal fat, high blood pressure and insulin resistance that puts people at risk for heart disease and diabetes). It just seems there has got to be a better way for people with your condition. Unfortunately I think a lot of these harsh chemicals we put into our bodies are not about health or diet but rather money.

I was just diagnosed recently and I'm starting to realize how little I can eat while avoiding artificial sweetners.  I'm researching a diet that pairs carbs/sugars and protien to help balance blood sugar.  I'm hoping I can get the hang of it so I don't have to worry about all this stuff.  I feel really bad for the diabetics that really don't have much of a choice but to avoid sugar altogether!

I use a little agave syrup and xylitol when I cook. Do they make me more prone to obesity because it has lied to my body?

i used to eat packed-with-usgar foods, and then switched to artificial sweeteners. now, i have cut out sugarfree gum, diet soda and buy things that are naturally sweetened (honey, stevia, etc) and if it DOES have sugar in it, i make sure it's organic cane sugar.

the sugar is probably better for you than the chemicals though.

Artificial sweetners make my body crave MORE sugar.  I avoid the stuff, at all costs. I'm better off eating a small portion of the real stuff.

"I'm researching a diet that pairs carbs/sugars and protien to help balance blood sugar". 

kell115, Have you read the Insulin-Resistance Diet?? Good book, very easily to read & easy diet to follow.

Basically, for every 15 grams of carbs you need to balance it with 7 grams of protein.

I put 5 packets of splenda in my bowl of oatmeal every morning and have yet to have a problem. I don't want sugar, I don't feel tired. I don't feel anything. I feel full from the oatmeal that tasted so yummy. I also don't drink any soda or eat any sweets artificial or not. I'm more of a sodium-lover myself. Though I've decreased that drastically too. So the only real 'sugar' I get is from the strawberries and pineapples I eat everyday and I'm full of energy and feel just fine.

Original Post by sherea:

"I'm researching a diet that pairs carbs/sugars and protien to help balance blood sugar". 

kell115, Have you read the Insulin-Resistance Diet?? Good book, very easily to read & easy diet to follow.

Basically, for every 15 grams of carbs you need to balance it with 7 grams of protein.

 I'm almost done with the book.  Its very interesting.  I'm having a lot of trouble with the diet b/c I've never been much of a meat person.  Hopefully it will get easier!

Hello Kell, I know it’s not the same nor near as hard, but four years ago I had a very bad reaction to dinner and could not breath. I found out I was allergic to 20 foods and many where found in what seemed like every product. I had a horrible time shopping and giving up those foods. In time I learned my way around it and learned how to curve those cravings with other foods. I also really do not miss the foods that I cannot eat that much anymore.  Hang in there I am almost sure it will get easier.

Original Post by jakarta_mabel:

I use a little agave syrup and xylitol when I cook. Do they make me more prone to obesity because it has lied to my body?

 

You know I question this also about Stevia, but from what I have heard mostly is that your brain does not recognize the artificial chemicals along with the sweet taste. I am assuming your brain would have a much better chance recognizing natural foods, although maybe time will tell. I have heard good things about agave and xylitol, especially xylitol having many other health benefits. They are natural and for me personally, I would much rather put something natural in my body.

Artificial sweeteners have less calories but they are also full of toxins, life isn't always better through chemistry!  I've cut way back on all foods that contain high fructose corn syrup and aspartame because the brain does not recognize them as sugar and only craves more. I feel more satisfied and don't want to eat as much.

In a perfect world I would eat lean meats, fruit, and veggies and leave everything else alone. How healthy I would be. Why is it so incredibly hard to do that? I eat too much of both artificial and non artificial sweetners (think diet sodas as well as small [but frequent] portions of desserts-tootsie pops, yum!) I know all that sugar is bad for me and fake food is bad. At least I no longer live on fast food!

I do think we are too easily led to buy crap that has no nutritional value. I do try to think of what I eat in terms of what nutrition it gives me rather than just how many calories it has.

I read in a magazine today that I should trade a half cup of peanuts for a half cup of pretzels in order to cut calories. Now a half cup of peanuts is too big of a portion, but would it not be better to eat a quarter cup  of peanuts and forget the pretzels which have no nutrition whatsoever? At least peanuts have healthy fat and protien.