Thoughts on sugar free?

[nails211 17]

I've never liked sugar free anything! I've been adhering to my manual as given by my surgeon but I think the sugar free stuff tastes funny and makes me thirsty. Is there anyone who has not used any sugar free foods and sweeteners and had success?

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

I use sugar free products all the time. I guess I'm just used to it over the years. Now real sugar is super sweet and almost makes me choke. That said I know lots of folks just give up sweet foods all together so it's not impossible.

[nikki9 70]

I don't like artificial sweetners. I think they are unhealthy. I had moved away from them prior to surgery. I had been making changes to have a whole foods lifestyle. But I'm only 7 days post op ... so I'm forcing down the artificial sweetners because the doctor said so. They didn't give me a sugar free popsicle in the hospital and I did not have a bad reaction. So I'm sure I can have stuff with sugar if I wanted.

[kikicoates78 220]

Sugar will just slow down ur weightloss. The whole point that I was given is your 1st year is your golden year. U want to lose all u can. Cutting out sugars, starches and bread until u meet your goal weight is critical. Then u have to slowly re-introduce them making sure they don't cause weight gain. But as they say it's a life style change. I have easily given up all of the above but I'm just 2 weeks post op. Good Luck to you!

[kikicoates78 220]

Also sugar produces a hunger hormone that is nearly eradicated during the sleeve procedure as it's produced in the part of ur stomach that is cut away. But the more sugar u eat it produces more? Something like that.

[Crystal88 85]

sugar free popsicles are amazing! I love them

sugar free jell-o hasn't been so bad either!

[JerzyTomato74 91]

I hate artificial sweeteners but for the sake of my post-op diet, I added them in. Once I get a couple months out I plan on doing a juice cleanse. After that, no more artificial or processed anything!

[nikki9 70]

I hate artificial sweeteners but for the sake of my post-op diet, I added them in. Once I get a couple months out I plan on doing a juice cleanse. After that, no more artificial or processed anything!

Will you keep me posted on your progrss? This is what I want to do too.

[millergirl314 168]

Trying my hardest to stay away from sugar free stuff and sugared stuff too, but if I had to choose between the two I choose sugar free. Trying to use more stevia products, less chemicals.

[rabbinag 3]

I have had some sugar.I use carantion instant as the base for my Protein Shake. I have not had any trouble with it. I add protien powder and half a bananna or penut butter. I drink one shake a day, takes me all day to get it down. so far I am loosing weight 1 month out abd lost 30 lbs.

[Forsythia 882]

I don't eschew sugar. I don't go out of my way to use splenda et al, either. I don't feel like they are any better for you than actual sugar. They still make you want sweet things. I'd rather have a small bite of something with sugar, than an entire sugar free item since sugar tastes better to me.. But that is just me. The thing now is moderation. Mentally I was too weak to moderate before. But now the sleeve forces me to moderate.

[Kindle 8,667]

Artificial sweeteners really hurt my sleeve immediately postop. So did plain Water, so I drank regular sugar stuff for 3-4 months. 100% juice, regular Vitamin Water, Sobe, pedalyte, etc. but everything tasted too sweet to me anyways, so I cut all these things 1/2 and 1/2 with water. Since I didn't like sweet stuff I never bothered with SF Popsicles, Jello or pudding. In fact, I think I still have some boxes in my cupboard. Herbal teas actually became a big hit with me....no sweetness!! Unfortunately most Protein powders have artificial sweeteners, so I tried to find ones sweetened with stevia.

After 4 months the artificial sweeteners didn't hurt any more but I don't really like the taste. I add regular fruit juice, berries, fruit, milk, Torani syrups, etc to my Protein shakes to mask the flavor. Now I can drink plain water, but If I do drink sports or Vitamin drinks, they are not the zero calorie stuff. You can do most anything in moderation.

As for it affecting my weight loss, I hit goal (down 88 pounds) around 7 months and have maintained for 4 months so you tell me..... ☺️

[4LgrLife_53 82]

I had to contact Kraft Foods about their manufacturing. They were very courteous. I explained that the Aspartame artificial sweetener they put in the sugar-free jellos, puddings and Kool-Aid are bad for my health and I had a major allergic reaction to the Aspartame. Oddly (even though it wasn't on the diet), I had experienced a reaction any time I had Juicy fruit Gum. Not only does the regular JF gum have sugar in it, it also has Aspartame. It was horrible--my mouth felt like it was on fire and I developed nasty looking tongue sores/patches. Once I quit the sugar-free jellos and sugar-free koolaid (including Crystal Light powders), the symptoms disappeared. Kraft sent me coupons for other products. I wasn't mad at Kraft as I've been eating Jello and stuff all my life and only had a reaction when I ate the sugar-free products.

They said they would pass my concern on to their manufacturing and research team about switching to a more consumer-healthy alternative for artificial sweeteners.

Now I am constantly on guard, looking at labels to avoid aspartame. Thankfully Yoplait Light Yogurt has several varieties with "No Aspartame" right on the front of the container.

[KQH 69]

The only sugar-free item I use is the Crystal Light drops for Water and that's sparingly, just a couple of times a week. I'd rather have sugar than the chemicals but I'm not drinking as much now since plain water doesn't go down as easily as the flavored. I used to guzzle plain water all the time so this is a sleeve/taste change.

[tamg26k 479]

It's been hit and miss for me with sugar free foods. I use sugar free flavorings for my Water sometimes, but about 1/10 of the normal amount. I also use sugar free Toriani syrups mixed with my Protein powder to enhance the flavoring. I tried sugar free popsicles during the first month but found them sickeningly sweet and had to get rid of them. Almost the same with some Protein Bars, I find some to be really sweet and can hardly get one down. My go-to sugar free item is pudding. I mix it with Protein Powder for Breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I have cut sugar completely from my diet and haven't missed it at all I'm trying to get off of the artificial sweeteners too!

Best of luck!!