| Dragoneye
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Since I started this diet I've incorporated artificial sweetners into my diet... I don't add them to anything, but I do drink diet pop (an average of one every other day), and I eat diet jell-o, pudding or fudge pops.
You hear all of these awful things about artificial sweeteners... for instance, aspartame causes brain tumours, saccaharin causes cancer, cyclamates cause birth defects, et cetera, et cetera... how do you make an informed decision on what's okay and what's not? There is so much conflicting information out there, it's hard to tell when people are just being alarmists or when there really is something to be worried about.
Anyhow, I was just interested in hearing other people's thoughts on this. I know it's probably best to just cut them all out, but, well, I haven't been able to bring myself to do that... |
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Tue May 04, 2004 5:27 pm |
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| Zanne
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You have voiced what I have been thinking. It seems every diet food has artificial something in it but I just have a problem eating it. Like yogurt or diet soda. They all have aspartamine or something. I have stopped using sugar in my coffee but I really like sugar if I have a cup of tea. I wonder if it will really make a difference. And cooking. I know they say use Spenda but I keep thinking they will find something awful about it in a few years. It is very confusing!
I keep hoping that after I lose weight I can carefully use sugar again. Maybe it is delusional of me but I ate sugar for years. I do not think it was sweets that did me in weightwise. Just started eating too much and hit middle age and had 4 kids of course. That was the beginning of my weight problems right there. Oh well. I am really on the fence about the artificial sweetner thing. Hope someone much more hopeful will post. |
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Wed May 05, 2004 4:16 am |
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| LisaMarie123
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I've never used them either. And when I first started this, and learned that I could have a fudcicle, with Splenda in it, I was so excited. Yey! But when I got them home and ate one, I soon had a really bad headache from it, and I could not help from falling asleep. I tried one the next day too, and the same thing happened. I refuse to eat anything with that stuff in it. You don't know what they will find out about it in the years to come. I'm not saying that will happen to you, because there are alot of people using it with no affects at all. But, to me, it's something artificial going into my body, and I won't eat it.
Lisa |
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Wed May 05, 2004 5:13 am |
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| Kimboroni
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| It's a lot better when you get to p2 and can have fruit as your sweets! |
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Wed May 05, 2004 5:57 am |
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| Mag
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The way I look at it is this: all the artificial sweeteners on the market have been tested pretty extensively and have been found safe (or safe enough) to use in reasonable quantities over a long period of time. The only damage is theoretical and/or rare. Those that aren't considered safe (such as cyclamates) aren't available for sale. Not all "natural" foods have been tested, although there are some that are connected with different diseases.
On the other hand, obesity has also been extensively tested and has flunked every test. It is linked with heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, decreased mobility, increased risk of injury, and any number of of other health problems. It is known to shorten people's lifespans and quality of life significantly. In other words, it is a guaranteed major health threat. As someone who needs to lose weight, I think I need to give priority to dealing with this danger. I'm not going to ignore that because I'm worried about smaller, theoretical dangers. If I can lose weight and then go on a completely natural, sugar-free diet, that's fine. But I've got to put first things first here and do what I can do now. If trying to eliminate artificial sweeteners from my diet threatens or slows down my weight loss, the weight loss has got to take precedence. That's my approach. Hope that's helpful! :) |
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Wed May 05, 2004 9:48 am |
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| Zanne
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Mag, You make a very good point also. See why I am on the fence? I am inclined to try the artificial sweetners in limited quantities and then when I reach my goal to take back a little sugar and see what happens. I bought fat free unsweetened yogurt and I am going to see if I can eat it with fruit.
You are right tho. Being obese is not a healthy way to go. |
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Wed May 05, 2004 11:57 am |
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| FresnoNick
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I think people are way too worried about the "bad" parts of artficial sweeteners. Sure if you pump a mouse full of 10% of it's bodyweight of aspertame each day after a while it'll get a tumor. But seriously, if you are _That_ concerned about splenda, go outside and take a deep breath, you'll probably get more bad crap out of the air than you would using a packet of splenda in your tea.
For me it's a tradeoff that i'm happy to make. If a little artificial sweetener can help me to eat more whole foods and good stuff, i'll take that. I've at least been working to cut back on the amount of DHMO in my diet, that stuff'll kill you. http://www.dhmo.org/facts.html |
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Wed May 05, 2004 4:42 pm |
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| LindyLou
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I think all artificial sweeteners are bad. How bad they are depends on you and your body. My body can't metabolize asparatime, and I get terrible headaches, loss of memory, and sick all over. I avoid it at all costs. However, other people seem to do just fine. Splenda also causes memory loss and heart palpitations.
It depends on you. For me, I ask myself, why would I want to eat chemicals? Why do I want to put them in my body? When I was pregnant, the Dr said not to have any artificial sweeteners......if it is bad for my baby, then what is it doing to me?
I dont' want to preach about it, it really is up to you. Just ask yourself those questions. If it doesn't bother you that you are putting chemicals or chemically treated sugar in your body, then go for it. For me, I don't like the thought of it. I'd rather eat naturally. I can forego the sugar for a while, it's not the end of the world!
Good luck!!! |
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Wed May 05, 2004 5:40 pm |
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| JenJo21
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| Come on Fresno. DHMO won't kill you if it's part of your diet, only if you inhale a lot of it. |
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Wed May 05, 2004 6:06 pm |
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| FresnoNick
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JenJo21 wrote: Come on Fresno. DHMO won't kill you if it's part of your diet, only if you inhale a lot of it.
I hoped that someone would get the joke. =) I'm just finishing my bottle of DHMO right now, time for a refill. |
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Wed May 05, 2004 7:27 pm |
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| Ducky
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| I'm along the same lines as fresno...you pretty much have to eat a tub full of that stuff for it to kill you! What the heck is DHMO??!!! |
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Thu May 06, 2004 5:56 am |
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| SoulLips
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| I use artificial sweetners in limited quantities because it helps me feel satisfied. We are born with an innate desire for sweet things. Well, I haven't kicked that desire just because I'm a "grown up". I did weigh out the decision of whether to use artificial sweetners and which one(s) to use early on with SBD. For me, sticking with SBD, even if is means using a little artificial sweetner now and again, is well worth it. On the bright side I'm not putting french fries, fast food or a lot of other toxic foods in my body anymore. In the end, I feel secure that this is a healthier lifestyle for me. |
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Thu May 06, 2004 6:06 am |
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| FresnoNick
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Ducky wrote: I'm along the same lines as fresno...you pretty much have to eat a tub full of that stuff for it to kill you! What the heck is DHMO??!!!
Check the link... It's a big part of the SBD.
http://www.dhmo.org/facts.html
:wink: |
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Thu May 06, 2004 6:12 pm |
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| CheriM
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Nick..I am confused! I saw the site, and maybe I am a little slow or something :oops: , but how is this connected to SB??
Honestly, I didn't read the entire site...is it a joke?? 8) |
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Thu May 06, 2004 7:10 pm |
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| Zumba
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It is a joke. A kind of funny one too.
http://www.snopes.com/toxins/dhmo.htm |
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Thu May 06, 2004 7:20 pm |
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