Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Problems with Artificial Sweetners? Sugar Free stuff



Recommended Posts

anyone else having problems with aspartame? I've had the worst joint pain the past couple days and I am thinking I'm having a reaction to all the aspartame I'm intaking through crystal light and other 'sugar free' stuff. :rolleyes:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I can't use it. It gives me headaches, loose stools, nausea. From the research I've done on it, it's nothing more than poison. I don't eat margarine either. I eat real butter and olive oil and I use turbinado sugar or honey. All used in extreme moderation of course. A teaspoon of sugar has approximately 16 calories. I think I can handle that......That's all I need in a cup of tea. I don't think a lot of people realize that wierd symptoms they have may be from artificial sweetners. I avoid it like the plague.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

thanks aubrie. i've never heard of turbinado sugar but i do know honey. I will have to switch things up now. i've been in too much pain lately.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Aspartame is poison, it is outlawed for consumption in several countries including Japan because it causes many health problems. All the things mentioned above and in enough quantity it can imitate the symptoms of MS.

There are quite a few sugar substitutes out there, my favorite is agave nectar, it's really low on the glycemic index, natural and is really low in calories. Stevia is also a good substitute but I find it too sweet.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Aspartame is poison, it is outlawed for consumption in several countries including Japan because it causes many health problems. All the things mentioned above and in enough quantity it can imitate the symptoms of MS.

There are quite a few sugar substitutes out there, my favorite is agave nectar, it's really low on the glycemic index, natural and is really low in calories. Stevia is also a good substitute but I find it too sweet.

I also hate artificial sweeteners. They give me headaches, especially in something hot. I have been using Stevia and really like it. It tastes better and I have no reaction to it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

thanks guys. What do you all drink for beverages? I think I was getting most of the aspartame through Crystal light. I was just getting so tired of just Water that I switched over but it's so not worth the pain.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Turbinado sugar is raw cane juice sugar. It's still sugar, but it's in it's raw form. It's not processed and bleached white with chemicals. It's a light brown color. You can get it organic as well, so the sugar cane hasn't been sprayed with pesticides. I have tried stevia and for whatever reason, I found it bitter, but I know a lot of people like it. I found some crackers the other day that were sweetened with molasses which is also good. Very high in Iron.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Paxie,

I try to limit the SF stuff (I try to buy the ones that use Splenda as it is not as bad as Aspertame for you) and I use Stevia (be aware that Truvia and Purvia say they're made from Stevia, but have been chemically altered).

I've been trying to drink more skim milk. I'm not a milk gal, but with a little SF choc. Syrup, or pudding mix I can get it down. Try a fresh slice of lemon or lime in your Water, it helps.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you to both! I appreciate the explaination and the suggestions!!!

I saw my doctor today and she had NEVER heard of anyone having any reactions to aspartame. She suggested I ask my nutritionist. But all the same - I'm going to avoid it for a while. I'm still hurting today. I read that it can take up to 60 days to go through our system? Really?! Gawd I hope not.

I tried stevia and man...it is sweet...too sweet. I think I will try it at half doseage and see if I like that better. I actually like splenda...but man... I just dont want to risk hurting any more.... I may do that in smaller doseages for a bit.

But thank you all again.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I too hate the artificial sweeteners. They give me headache and upset stomach. I was reading on some websites about homemade fruit H2O and it's really good! Just plop some frozen mixed berries or strawberries, peaches, orange slices, whatever you like in a pitcher of Water and leave it in the fridge. Sometimes I add a lemon slice to my water bottle when filling with the fruit water too. Very refreshing, healthy and delish!:rolleyes2:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Kath - that sounds wonderful. I hav to give that a try!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×