I gave up sugar substitutes several years ago and it was great for my health--I stopped getting bad headaches and they have stayed away. I tried to only eat things sweetened with real sugar, little or no corn syrup, etc.

Both before and after my RNY surgery, I've "had" to go back to the sugar substitutes for things like my SF jello and pudding, which have been essential. My thought is that when I'm able to eat more food and more variety, I'll wean off of them. However, I've noticed that I've been getting more headaches, and though it might be unrelated, I'm trying not to add any more fake sugar in my diet. My NUT said to keep sugars under 15 grams and fat under 5 grams (per item, not per day).

I just bought non-fat chocolate syrup, that has 7 grams of sugar per serving and I'm going to try it with my non-fat, low sugar milk.

Has anyone else figured this out? Have you found a "good" artificial sweetener? I reluctantly use stevia...I just am not crazy about the taste.

I use a little splenda in my coffee ( 1/2-1 teaspoon). I just try to keep anything I eat at 6-10g of sugar per serving.

We have used SPLENDA for years I know they say sweetners are bad for us. I have also said if you aren't Diabetic just use regular sugar. I was Diabetic and now I don't have it (they said once a diabetic always a diabetic) my hubby is still a diabetic so that is why we use Splenda. My cousin has said they effect her by headaches and achy. I understand why people don't want to use them but whats a person to do. Anything that you buy w/o sugar is sweetners. I haven't used the Chocolate so I can't give you an anwser there. KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!!

I use Splenda and have no issues, but have you tried Stevia? Its plant based natural calorie free sweetener.

I too always had bad headaches with artificial sweeteners. Also learned years ago on the FDA website, that they're linked to causing symptoms of 90+ diseases..always hated putting that kind of thing in my body. Never liked the taste either. Tried stevia once, it's still up in my pantry. Call me an exception though, I don't do artificial. If I want sweet, I use honey or agave and regular creamer for me coffees. Gasps! ? Lol

Right there with you. The only artificial sweetener I use now is Stevia. Lots of people hate the the taste, but it doesn't bother me. I use a product called "sugar leaf" that is part sugar, part stevia. It's got 1/3 of the carbs/cals of regular sugar. I drink a bunch of vitamin water zero because it is made with stevia and erythritol and to me, it doesn't taste as sweet as aspartame and Splenda. It's becoming more prevalent. I think it's in oikos triple zero and the Chobani 100. Trader Joe's uses it a lot in their products, too.

26 minutes ago, Newme17 said:

Tried stevia once, it's still up in my pantry.

I don't like stevia either!! I prefer splenda, but I don't use very much. Most stuff I just drink unsweetned.

43 minutes ago, Apple1 said:

I don't like stevia either!! I prefer splenda, but I don't use very much. Most stuff I just drink unsweetned.

Yeah I like unsweetened teas and I don't have a sweet tooth, so I could easily pass those things up. I'm not worried.

Edited September 10, 20178 yr by Newme17

After RNY, I had sf hello only for a week while on liquids. I would think chocolate syrup and Ff milk would be too high in sugars!

How long do you need this stuff. Would Greek yogurt be a substitute for pudding?

6 hours ago, Nhope said:

Has anyone else figured this out?

I'm sorry if this comes across as negative but what worked for me was to give up sugar and the sugar substitutes. That way, you taste foods as they (nearly always) naturally are.

I have my 97% cocoa unsweetened block chocolate. It becomes quite okay by about the 5th or 6th time you have it. You get all the benefits, the anti-oxidants, etc but you give up the sugar and dairy aspects of it.

By giving up sugar, sugar substitutes and salt, I have become reacquainted with the actual flavours of foods.

A bit of lemon/lime juice or a drizzle of vinegar or some cracked pepper or turmeric is good for vegetables and salads.

The sugars my body gets are in fresh fruits and some vegetables.

I do the same as rainbow. I consume food in its normal form.

Milk is just plain, whole, milk. Yogurt is plain. Can add plain whole berries to it for a bit of sweetness.

I do add butter, ground black pepper, garlic, and salt to things I'm cooking.

I have been putting milk in my tea, but adding a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup would be fewer calories and help me transition away from dairy (dairy was my bestest friend immediately postop, but it's not as good anymore). Plain tea doesn't work for me.

My vitamins are full of artificial sweeteners, but they work ok so I'll keep them. The idea isn't to be devout.. it's to retrain yourself in the direction that makes sense for you.

I used to have bad headaches after drinking Crystal Light, once I stopped drinking it as often, they went away. I did find new sugar free drinks that didn't use Aspartame (Wylers), and I haven't had any issues w/ those.

I don't do artificial sugar, I think it tastes like chemicals. I am okay with the taste of Stevia in my coffee but I use very little. I like the liquid Stevia drops from Trader Joe's because I can use about half the regular amount. A bottle is going to last me years.

I can't do dairy since my WLS so I don't consume sugar in yogurt or pudding.

When I want something sweet I eat something with real sugar, just a really small serving, like a fun size candy bar. It doesn't bother me at all.

I too always had bad headaches with artificial sweeteners. Also learned years ago on the FDA website, that they're linked to causing symptoms of 90+ diseases..always hated putting that kind of thing in my body. Never liked the taste either. Tried stevia once, it's still up in my pantry. Call me an exception though, I don't do artificial. If I want sweet, I use honey or agave and regular creamer for me coffees. Gasps! [emoji33] Lol

That is absolutely incorrect about artificial sweeteners linked to 90+ diseases. There is mountains of peer reviewed data on the current artificial sweeteners on the market, and they are very safe. Adverse reactions to artificial sweeteners are very rare.

The other misconception is that there is some difference in sugars. The OP posted about using sugar, but avoiding corn syrup. Your body doesn't know the difference, and processes all sugar just about the same way. Doesn't matter is it table sugar, cane sugar, hfcs, or fruit.