[incline:1]Because the weather has been so lovely outside, I have had such an urge to encourage the readers to get out and exercise – walk, swim, bike, roller blade – do anything that will get your muscles moving, heart pumping and blood flowing. While I do hope you’ll heed my prodding to do something positive for your fitness level, I am going to spend the time talking to you about something a little more serious this month. In fact, I tried to put it off because it will possibly step on a few toes.
While I whole-heartedly agree in consuming fewer calories to reach your weight loss goals, I am now putting my foot down about the use of some artificial sweeteners. It’s time I come clean – I myself used aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet) and sucralose (Splenda) products for years. If it said “sugar-free” it had my attention. For quite some time I chose products solely based on sugar (carbohydrate) content. Yes, counting calories is crucial to losing weight and maintaining weight loss, but sacrificing physical and mental health to obtain these goals is a bit ridiculous and can be prevented.
I am not claiming to be an expert in the study of these non-nutritive sweeteners, however, I am experienced with the side effects. Many studies list the negative side effects to these sweeteners (up to 92 in one study) and I am here to confirm that while drinking my diet sodas I had extreme degrees of the side effects and when I stopped drinking them, the side effects stopped – simultaneously. Some of the side effects were headaches, muscle cramps, dizziness, ulcer-like stomach cramps, fatigue, and more.
Both of these sweeteners break down in the body to chemical substances that have been known to cause brain cancer and liver and kidney damage. I have also read studies linking these substances to lupus and multiple sclerosis.
It has been documented that artificial sweeteners slow down the metabolism and actually increase appetite. Seems to me that there is a problem with “diet foods” if they cause you to crave more food. Something is wrong with this equation.
The bummer is that we get hooked on certain foods, additives, tastes, etc. It is not always easy to change our eating habits, but the results are essential to living a vibrant, healthy life and prevent disease. I have been completely convicted about my food choices as of late, and I have made a quality decision to change my attitude, behaviors and habits about what I put in my body – the only one I will ever have.
To be perfectly honest, it didn’t take long to get the craving for sugar, fake or real out of my system. Once I filled my refrigerator with fresh fruits and veggies, it was easy to transition to the healthier choices.
What about that sweet tooth? What about those times when an apple just doesn’t cut it? Try Stevia, xylitol, or even a little bit of honey to sweeten your coffee, tea, or treat. These are natural foods, not artificial, chemical additives. You can purchase these at the health food store. A little goes a long way. Remember, too, that portion control is still essential to your eating regimen.
Time and space does not permit me to give you all the information I have been gathering over the years about these dangerous additives, but if you have time to do a search on your internet, please look up the safety of these types of products. Read ones that are not compiled by the manufacturers of the products.
In the meantime, I’ll see you in the produce aisle and in the gym. Actually, since the weather is so much nicer – I’ll see you on the streets!