topic Re: artificial sweeteners? in Kitchen

artificial sweeteners?

lovesrecess — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 19:51:48 GMT

Does anyone have any info about what is really the safest artificial sweetener? I have seen so much conflicting information, I don't know what to buy. DH and I are going no sugar but don't want to sacrifice our health by using something dangerous. What do you use?

TIA!

Re: artificial sweeteners?

gazelle77 — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 20:26:49 GMT

I now use stevia. Not artificial , it is an herb. You can use it in its natural form, the fresh plant , or, in a dried form of the plant. Also it comes in a concentrated white extract powder that is only the sweetness with none of the plant left in it. Some company's make this into liquid form and add flavors. I like to use it in its herbal form to get all the nutritional value of the plant.

Re: artificial sweeteners?

champagnepoodle — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 20:27:54 GMT

splenda

Re: artificial sweeteners?

pdlinda — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 20:29:09 GMT

Pure Stevia

Re: artificial sweeteners?

ROMARY — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 20:31:03 GMT

I don't believe in artificial sweeteners. I use plain sugar and/or raw sugar when I see it on sale. They say that sugar doesn't have an expiration date.......you can keep it for years. I'm wondering, then, that maybe it also has antibacterial/anti-microbial qualities. If I were a researcher, I would focus on those properties for our stomach health and also for other uses.

Re: artificial sweeteners?

KYToby — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 20:32:05 GMT

You are going to get conflicting opinions fro all sides on this board, and I should point out that no one responding is any sort of expert. It is all opinion.

My doctors tell me that they are fine to use -- particularly in smaller amounts. I use between three to six packets per day total, and they (my endocrinologist and nephrologist) have told me not to be concerned. They told me to use whichever I preferred.

Again, you will see a lot of people responding here. Many will copy and paste from various quack websites, filled with nothing but junk science. Some will suggest natural alternatives, and others will post information stating these alternatives are just as bad.

My advice is if you are concerned is to speak with your physician.

Re: artificial sweeteners?

FunkyHulaGirl — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 20:36:16 GMT

NO "artificial" sweetener is safe; in fact, aspartame makes a great ant killer! I use only pure Stevia; I get a box of 40 packets in Aldi for only $1.99.

Re: artificial sweeteners?

gazelle77 — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 20:51:25 GMT

On 6/7/2014 FunkyHulaGirl said:
NO "artificial" sweetener is safe; in fact, aspartame makes a great ant killer! I use only pure Stevia; I get a box of 40 packets in Aldi for only $1.99.

I do not think the statement that artificial sweeteners are not safe is proven fact. Xylitol is proven to kill dogs if they ingest it, it does not harm humans, and ,Xylitol is not artificial. It is a natural occurring sugar alcohol , a food, ...thus your statement that ants die from consumption of Splenda does not show that Splenda is going to kill humans. That is not proven. I prefer to use natural sweeteners like stevia. I leave the choice of what others use to the individual.

Re: artificial sweeteners?

HisElk — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 20:59:25 GMT

Our personal trainer at the gym suggested Stevia many years ago. We were using Splenda and both of us had reoccurring headaches. Once we googled Splenda, we changed to Stevia and feel much better.

Re: artificial sweeteners?

JYWilliams — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 21:06:01 GMT

On 6/7/2014 pdlinda said:
Pure Stevia

Re: artificial sweeteners?

Nightowlz — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 21:17:10 GMT

ITA with Stevia if you don't want to use regular sugar. They have it at iHerb in liquid, powder & crystal forms in different flavors. I don't use any artificial sweeteners. Check out Sweet Poison. http://www.sweetpoison.com/

Re: artificial sweeteners?

funwun — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 21:35:49 GMT

Honestly, I just use sugar in moderation and I consider myself pretty health conscious

Re: artificial sweeteners?

Goldengate8361 — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 21:37:19 GMT

Splenda.

Re: artificial sweeteners?

scotnovel — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 21:41:11 GMT

On 6/7/2014 KYToby said:
You are going to get conflicting opinions fro all sides on this board, and I should point out that no one responding is any sort of expert. It is all opinion.

My doctors tell me that they are fine to use -- particularly in smaller amounts. I use between three to six packets per day total, and they (my endocrinologist and nephrologist) have told me not to be concerned. They told me to use whichever I preferred.

Again, you will see a lot of people responding here. Many will copy and paste from various quack websites, filled with nothing but junk science. Some will suggest natural alternatives, and others will post information stating these alternatives are just as bad.

My advice is if you are concerned is to speak with your physician.

great response

Re: artificial sweeteners?

FunkyHulaGirl — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 22:28:26 GMT

You have to look at who's doing the studies. Often the ones financed by companies that use artificial sweeteners in their products will "confirm" that they're perfectly safe. Also, it's perfectly legal for companies to do as many studies as they want until they get the results they want. I'll stick with independent studies that have no vested interest in the outcome, thank you - I'm not going to take chances with my health.

Re: artificial sweeteners?

Nightowlz — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:32:28 GMT

They also make Honey into crystals called Nektar natural honey crystals.

Re: artificial sweeteners?

radimage — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:49:26 GMT

Artificial sweeteners scare me.

I'll take my chances with good old natural sugar.

Everything in moderation....unless it's poison.

Re: artificial sweeteners?

willdob3 — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:58:38 GMT

I do not use any artificial sweeteners; I use only pure stevia powder extract - no fillers added.

I do not consume any sugars, including honey. I do not feel they are healthy choices for me.

Re: artificial sweeteners?

redtabby — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 19:03:28 GMT

It was hard but I learned to drink my coffee black, after drinking it with cream and sugar for thirty plus years. I rarely bake but when I do I use recipes that call for applesauce, honey, or maple syrup for sweetener. Artificial sweeteners are artificial, processed. It is best to avoid them for that reason. My husband and I are eating fresh as much as possible, eschewing processed foods.

Re: artificial sweeteners?

RainyDayGal — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 19:03:38 GMT

Definitely not Splenda.

I have tried Stevia and don't like the taste of it at all. As much as I'd rather not use sugar I do use it because I haven't found anything I like as much. I need to try the raw sugar.