Sugar? Splenda? - What do you all use?

[Angel7]

Hi all,

I''m keeping on track with eating healthy and working out but this "sugar" topic has me so confused!
What''s the best thing to use?

Splenda - since it''s no calorie but then they say it increases appetite?
Sugar - since it''s natural and doesn''t contain these "artificial" components that Splena, Equal and Nutrasweet do?

What do you guys use/think?

Even with Diet Pop - I keep hearing.."causes cancer"..increases appetite...any thoughts on the whole sweetner topics are appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

I have normal sugar ( 3 spoonsful

) in my morning coffee! To me it is worth it as I only drink 2 cups of coffee a day, and both of those first thing in the morning. I feel sugar gives me a little extra boost and I don't like the taste of sweeteners in hot drinks. If I drank a lot of tea and coffee, I would maybe compromise and have the sugar in my morning cups and perhaps none in the rest of them. I can remember saccharine tablets from the eighties which were used in drinks - YUCK!!!!

For soda, I nearly always choose diet, but I try to limit my intake and drink mainly water, diet soda is a treat!

 

[Angel7]

Thanks Lorelei!

I drink maybe one coffee a day and I''ve been doing what you touched on.....
One day I''ll do Splenda..maybe the next I''ll do Sugar.
Lately I have been leaning more towards sugar. I figure, hey I don''t have it that much so maybe it''ll be ok!

I agree 100% about the diet pop. I look forward to my one diet pepsi a day , I love it!
Water is SUCH a challenge for me. I''m trying my best though!

Thanks again!

 

[Mara]

i used to have a real sugar habit...aka 2-3 spoonfuls in coffee or tea or whatever. people would ask ''do you want tea/coffee with that sugar''.

then i just cut it out. entirely, cold turkey! it took me a little bit to get used to it, but now i really don''t miss it...i find that i like the actual TASTE of whatever i am drinking rather than tasting sugar. if i want sugar, i will eat a donut or pastry, now that''s sugar that actually is worth it. sometimes on wkds i put in a 1/2 tsp of sugar for my coffee but it doesn''t even seem to really taste diff.

sugar itself is something like 15 cals per teaspoon. so it can really add up if you drink a lot of drinkies.

when i did a low-glycemic diet with my nutritionist, she had me cut out sugars big time. it''s amazing how much you really don''t NEED a lot of sugars to live your daily life. we are all just so addicted. during that time, i tried to keep all sugar intake pretty low and specifically anything processed had to be like under 5g or 10g of sugar. that rules out anything like sodas and most treats. she did allow me one scoop of slow churned which had like 15g sugar. but it''s amazing when you start looking at labels how much sugar there is in things. even low-calorie goodies have a lot of sugar typically.

that said, she also didn''t really advocate overconsumption of false sugars but she said it was okay on a very low level. i use splenda as my ''preferred'' fake sugar but i try not to have that much of it. i use it in my fage to sweeten it up a bit but that is about it. oh and sometimes i have ''sugar free'' (splenda) vanilla latte''s at sbucks. but really i don''t love the taste of it.

in terms of what is HARMFUL for you in the fake sugar arena, an article was out in one of the health/workout mags recently where it said you have to consume like 40 splenda packets a day before it is ''bad'' for your body. nutrasweet was less, like 15-20 packets. i can''t even imagine consuming like 40 or 20 packets of fake sugar! Blech.

there are also other sugars like malitol which is like some natural derivative of sugar, but it''s processed and it can give you really bad gas. some sugar free things are flavored with malitol. you can search/google sugar types and find info on all the diff ''types'' and fake vs real etc for more info!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Sugar -- I tend to lean towards brown or "raw" sugar.

I try to stay away from the artificial sweetners and stuff ... I figure it is better to take in less of the real stuff than to take any of the fake stuff. Someone told me once that in order to make aspartame, they take a molecule of sugar and attach it to a molecule of Hydrachloride (bleach)!!!

This, of course, is not a scientific explanation of the process, however, I got the drift and it''s sugar all the way for me! I''d rather die of whatever a moderate amt of sugar will cause as opposed to whatever will happen to me if I ingest too much fake stuff.

 

[lumpkin]

I prefer real sugar to substitutes. But I don''t add sugar or sweetners to my drinks and I''m trying to cut out goodies with a lot of refined carbs and sugars. Some days I do very well, and other days I just have to have a piece of chocolate, and sugar free chocolate is just wrong! I''m lucky that I like a lot of unsweetened things. I wish I didn''t love the carbs so much. That''s where I fall down all the time, and of course most of those refined carbs come with added sugar as well.

 

[lumpkin]

Date: 1/8/2008 2:59:02 PM
Author: Sparkalicious
Sugar -- I tend to lean towards brown or ''raw'' sugar.

I try to stay away from the artificial sweetners and stuff ... I figure it is better to take in less of the real stuff than to take any of the fake stuff. Someone told me once that in order to make aspartame, they take a molecule of sugar and attach it to a molecule of Hydrachloride (bleach)!!!

This, of course, is not a scientific explanation of the process, however, I got the drift and it''s sugar all the way for me! I''d rather die of whatever a moderate amt of sugar will cause as opposed to whatever will happen to me if I ingest too much fake stuff.

I agree! I don''t like the fake fat they put in salad dressing either. I''d rather put a smaller amount of dressing on than use fat free dressing.

 

[Angel7]

Thanks everyone!

Mara: I tried cutting it out cold turkey...I couldn''t even finish my cup of coffee! How sad is that?

I agree with you though, I''d much rather have my sugar from a cookie or pastry! Wow...40 packets a day? That is disgusting!

Spark: Bleach? That''s just scary! I''ve tried the raw sugar...I think I''m constantly changing it up with every coffee I drink because I''m scared of "one type" harming me!

Lumpkin: I wish I didn''t like unsweetened things! My sweet tooth is my worst enemy. God carbs are so hard for me to cut out too. Carbs and chocolate..I don''t think it would be a life worth living without a little of each!

"sugar free chocolate is just wrong!" - I could not agree more!!

 

[fleur-de-lis]

Good for you, Angel7!

Being a former sugar addict myself, I currently make decisions very similar to SanDiegoLady''s. I use splenda (one packet only) in my coffee, real sugar in baking (but eat small portions), and limit myself to one diet coke per day. I''ve also found the less sugar I have, the less I crave it.

 

[Angel7]

Date: 1/8/2008 4:02:21 PM
Author: fleur-de-lis
Good for you, Angel7!

Being a former sugar addict myself, I currently make decisions very similar to SanDiegoLady''s. I use splenda (one packet only) in my coffee, real sugar in baking (but eat small portions), and limit myself to one diet coke per day. I''ve also found the less sugar I have, the less I crave it.

Thanks fleur! I''m really trying! In the past 3-4 years I lost about 70-75 lbs (still had about 30 lbs to go) and noticed I''ve put back on 10-15 and still need to get down maybe another 20 so I''m not dieting so to speak..just watching what I eat and exercising. I think that''s a lifestyle I can live with and adapt to for the rest of my life. At least I hope!

I''ve been doing well with the one diet pepsi per day, only had about 1/2 a can at lunch and 1/2 can at dinner previously anyway so I guess it''s all the same in the end!

Hmm..the less sugar you have the less you crave it..good point. Today for example..I only put one Splenda in my coffee instead of the usual 2-3..it would be great to not need any! I''m going to try to "slowly" wean myself off..we''ll see how it goes!

Thanks again for the input everyone!

 

[musey]

Date: 1/8/2008 2:59:02 PM
Author: Sparkalicious
Sugar -- I tend to lean towards brown or ''raw'' sugar.

Me too! I have very little sugar in my diet, anyway, that when I want it I want the real thing.

But then, I''m not a "substitute" kinda person. If something isn''t good for me, I''d rather just not eat it than try to substitute the fat-free/low-carb/sugarfree version. This goes


eta: one exception to this is the Safeway brand "clear sparkling water beverage" thingies (hehe)--I don''t have them very often, but they''re sure yummy! I''m pretty sure they''re sweetened with aspartame. I''m not a soda person, but I do like those

it''s pretty much the only "substitute" anything I ever have (but I don''t have it because it''s a substitute).

 

[lyra]

Splenda, but I don''t drink coffee or tea.

It''s not great to cook with, but for using to sweeten things, it is sweeter than sugar per teaspoon. So a whole packet is probably way more than one would need to get the similar taste to sugar. I''m diabetic, so I need to keep the carbs down. I don''t like diet drinks so much, I find them too sweet or "off", and yes, diet pop is very unhealthy for you. Not much better than regualr, and has a similar effect on the body of making you crave more sweets. Now that I''ve been on a restricted sugar diet for so long, I find that most sugary things are just too sweet for me now.

 

[lumpkin]

Angel7, that is a great accomplishment! I need to lose about what you did, and it''s a bit daunting. I tried WW because I thought it seemed like a very sensible approach and really not that difficult. I flake out every time I join and I can''t figure out why it''s so hard for me to stick to. I have quit smoking, drinking and a few other bad habits that other people find hard to quit, and I didn''t have any trouble. I don''t know why I''m having such a hard time with eating better, especially since I do actually like healthy food.

Anyway, you have my admiration! Big time.

 

[Lynn B]

Interesting thread.

I don''t eat (or drink!) any artificial sweeteners... I just don''t think we really know enough about their long term use. I use sugar in moderation (mostly in some wonderful, gooey, homemade chocolate dessert!) I don''t drink sodas, or "energy drinks", or put sugar in my coffee or tea. I mostly drink water, a little milk, and oh, OK... a margarita or a cold beer ONCE IN A WHILE!

 

[Elmorton]

Early last year, my dad found out that he''s diabetic, so for a LOT of my Christmas baking this year, I used splenda and splenda for baking so that Dad could have some Xmas cookies (he was really bummed about the amount of stuff in the house that he couldn''t eat). Honestly, I couldn''t tell the difference in taste at all. DH actually prefers to use the Splenda brown sugar when we have sweet potatoes (I still go for the real stuff), so we have all the different types of Splenda in our house.

I drink lattes, so I used flavored syrups as sweetener. I use sugar-free vanilla and full-on sugar hazelnut since it''s hard to find sugar free hazelnut. Most coffee shops have sugar free for several of their syrups, too.

For things that I can''t taste the difference, I like using the sugar substitute. Makes something just a teensy bit healthier. I do drink diet coke, but that''s because I''m addicted to it and I can''t stand the sacchrine coating my teeth get when I drink sodas with sugar. I know I should be healthier and cut out soda all together (diet still has a ton of sodium and carbonation is not good for muscle building/fat burning).

The other big substitute we use around here is butter - I LOVE the smart balance products. We use olive oil as a substitute for butter whenever we can, too. Olive oil actually has a lot of calories (anyone see the Top Chef when they cooked for the diabetic camp? DH and I were shocked!), but less fat.

 

[musey]

Date: 1/8/2008 5:51:06 PM
Author: Lynn B

I use sugar in moderation (mostly in some wonderful, gooey, homemade chocolate dessert!)

YUM!

Angel, I am SO impressed by your accomplishment!! It takes so much focus and determination to do what you already have. You deserve a huge pat on the back!

 

[TravelingGal]

I don''t use sugar in coffee. If I use anything anywhere, I will use the real thing, preferably raw.

I tried splenda awhile back...decided artificial stuff is not for me.

 

[Mara]

elmorton...i used smart balance for a while but it didn''t taste enough like the real thing for me. recently i found a swedish ''light butter'' at trader joes. 1/2 the cals and fat of regular and it''s still real butter. i love it on my toast and pancakes, but you can''t really cook with it as i think it has too much moisture (water?) in it and it makes it splatter like crazy.

also, random note but i tried the sbucks sugar free gingerbread latte this holiday season a few times, but it kept doing the worst things to my stomach so i stopped. but i can have sf vanilla and sf hazelnut with no issues. also at our local world market (cost plus) they have those italian syrup brands like all the coffee shops do and they even have sf raspberry, sf irish cream etc. raspberry is pretty good, haven''t tried irish cream yet. our neighbors have a professional quality espresso machine so it''s just like going to get a latte. hehee.

 

[firebirdgold]

I suspect that some people are more sensitive to the taste of artificial sweeteners than others. As long as you''re not one of those types who can really taste it, then I suggest you use splenda. You might also want to try the Splenda/Sugar blend. That''s pretty good, the calories are still reduced and the aftertaste is muted.
One thing to watch is that splenda is a lot more potent than sugar!

 

[bebe]

I use the real stuff in my coffee and tea. But I only use 1 tsp.
I have read too much negative press on Splenda and the others.
It''s not that I believe it all, but don''t want to take a chance.
And I hate the way fake stuff leaves an after taste.

 

[DiamanteBlu]

Sugar.

Splenda is processed with chemicals that I am not interested in ingesting [I''d have to look up which because I''ve forgotten - the knowledge did cause me to throw out all the Splenda.]

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Sugar is the best
Saccharin (sweet and low) has been linked to cancer so strongly that it is banned in Canada and was almost banned in the US
DO NOT use nutrisweet or equal which is aspartame, or other artificial sweetners like it, they cause a whole host of problems.
It increases appitite, it breaks down into formaldahyde, especially under hot conditions like coffee, it is linked to cancer and excitotoxin
In 1995, FDA Epidemiology Branch Chief Thomas Wilcox reported that aspartame complaints represented 75% of all reports of adverse reactions to substances in the food supply from 1981 to 1995
Fructose is the best of the non sugar sweeteners but as it is mainly metabolized by the liver, it does not seem to sate hunger so it also promotes appitite

I can't find it, but according to a well done study that just came out people who drink diet soda are 40% more likely to be overweight then people who do not drink soda. For a host of complcated chemical reasons, our body does not think it is getting calories or sugar, etc when you drink and kind of soda so you are no less hungry.

I truely think the best bet is to go with the foods our bodies evolved to eat, not all the fake things we have created over the years.

 

[ladypirate]

I go for sugar in everything--I don''t like artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup is the WORST.

 

[KimberlyH]

If a recipe calls for sugar that''s what I use. I drink 1 diet soda a day and have no idea what''s in it, a sugar substitute, obviously, but I don''t know what. I don''t put anything in my tea but a dash of soy milk (I like to pretend I''m British and have a beautiful accent like Lorelei).

 

[Rock Candy]

I try to avoid sugar as much as possible and do not use artificial sweeteners. I will put a spoonful of honey or agave nectar in my tea. IMHO, the agave nectar is sweeter, so you only need a titch.

 

[pennquaker09]

I used sugar or Equal. I remember reading something about Splenda having some kind of chemical in it and I have not touched it since then.

 

[crown1]

neither i use stevia.

 

[Linda W]

Splenda: I always have an afternoon cup of tea. I just use a tiny dab of Splenda though and lemon.

Linda

 

[marvel]

Date: 1/8/2008 9:41:25 PM
Author: pennquaker09
I used sugar or Equal. I remember reading something about Splenda having some kind of chemical in it and I have not touched it since then.

Splenda is evil

It's chlorinated sugar

I use to use about 1/2 packet of splenda in my lattes, and that was only a few times a week. Of course, I didn't know spenada was made of chlorine at the time. I was having abdominal pain, bloating, dizziness, sweats, chills, but I didn't have the flu and kept having these symptoms over and over. I know....I should have put the two together...lattes=i don't feel well....duh! But anyway, I did a search on the internet with my symptoms and bam here is one of the many sites that talk about the symptoms that splenda causes. Since then I haven't touched the stuff. Everytime I see someone use it, I want to go over to them and say 'that stuff is evil, don't use it'! They say it's a carcenegenic too.

Okay, I'll step down from my soap box now.

Edited to add, the answer to your question is sugar...sugar rules!

 

[Mara]

the whole ''it causes cancer'' thing has always been thrown around. remember YEARS ago when they said nutrasweet caused cancer? well some study came out like a year ago...something like 10-15 years later that said ''DOH...WRONG'' it doesn''t...there isn''t a link. and splenda hasn''t even been around long enough for them to know what it''s side effects really are. but really it seems like EVERYTHING is linked to cancer nowadays.

marvel...i had the same issues with splenda when it first came out, i ate some cold stone that had it and i was so sick, bloating, painful belly. i didn''t eat it for a year after that i think. but i can have it in some sugar free items and be fine, but some stuff i still can''t. don''t know if it''s the ''level'' of splenda in things or what.

crown, i tried stevia for a while but i just could not get used to the taste. overall though i can almost always taste the fake sugar in anything, which is why i tend to prefer regular sugar when necessary!