kaylinrenee's Journal, 17 May 23

When I think of all the things I've been exposed to: drinking cistern water at my grandparent's, eating unwashed fruit right off the trees, running in the mist behind the trucks spraying for mosquitoes, DDT, swimming in bayous and making mud pies in the barnyard; somehow, I just don't think artificial sweeteners are going to be what does me in. 

Shirfleur— I’m not concerned either because I eat very little of it. Now the people sucking up diet soda out of vats— now that might be another story. There are no freebies in life. There are always potential pitfalls— once again, portion control and moderation is my mantra 

I try not to eat artificial sweeteners but it seems to be everywhere anymore but I do like Stevia and will lean towards that product. I did genetics testing at Mayo when I had breast cancer and it was environmental, but they also said that could go back to my teenage years of working on the farm. We did not know the effect of what Round Up and other chemicals would do to us. We used to walk the bean fields and pull the weeds but that is not cost effective to feed a global economy and so then we sprayed the fields riding on a bean buggy and there was no way to stop the spray from hitting your legs. Now they do it without people but the damage was already done.  

I usually stay away from artificial sweeteners not only because they taste "off" to me, but also because some have ongoing studies (aspartame and sucralose in particular) because they're potentially carcinogenic (in plain English, potentially cancer-causing). Stick with the natural "fake sugars", you're less likely to encounter issues that way. 

@Nana, I fully agree! Honey is my go-to, but there are also diabetics and other medical conditions that have to limit their sugar. But I will say apple juice is used to sweeten juice blends for a reason, it's a decent way to go about it. lol 

I had a neighbor that grew stevia and it was pretty good but there are some potential unpleasant side effects for some people 

Kaylinrenee, I am probably a little biased, but also talking out the both sides of my mouth. My father died from bladder cancer. The doctors, me, and my wife (a retired RN) are convinced that his years of drinking coffee and other products loaded with Saccharin is what initiated the cancer. I never liked saccharin and very seldom used it. However, I have used both Splenda and the stuff in the blue packs. In fact, I had a friend who manufactured phenylalomine which is a component of Aspartame. There is evidence that neither Splenda nor Asparatame is good for a human. Having said that, I do use some drink products "occasionally" that have Aspartame, but only occasionally. My wife does not allow Splenda or Aspartame in our home. We switched to a natural form of Stevia, and use it to sweeten cereals and other things we eat. My father's bladder cancer is of concern to me since I may be predisposed to it from a genetic standpoint. The other side of this issue is that I was substantially exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. I have also used Round Up every year to kill weeds and sterilize some areas of our property. So, if I have some various forms of cancer it may be hereditary, exposure to a chemical, or something else. But,...my wife and I do try to limit our exposure to unnecessary chemicals in our diet. All fresh vegetables are washed and rinced, and she tries to purchase meats that have been raised and processed without unnecessary exposure to harmful products. Best to you in your journey through life !! 

Any Doctor (including Oz) will tell you pure cane sugar is better, even than plant-based sugar.  

Bionici, good for you in limiting any additional exposure to unnecessary chemicals. My brother has the bladder cancer from exposure to agent orange. He has been successfully treated and doing well. He too eats a clean, no processed food diet. God bless you. 🕊 

Just like wine or cheese, buy good quality, enjoy smaller portions, feel better. With sweetners, local honey or maple syrup here in the north. Otherwise organic cane sugar is probably your safest and cleanest bet. 

I also have a few packets of Splenda a day. It’s a must for coffee or I’d have to add 8 packs of sugar instead of 1 pack of Splenda. 😬 Hopefully a little won’t hurt in the end. 

I use only Trader Joe’s Organic Liquid Stevia. 

Monk fruit sweetener is the only one my doctor allows. 

There were studies done proving that people who drank diet soda, those new zero soda’s (in moderation, not as there only liquid intake) and water lost more weight, and kept it off over those who drank only water. There has been more than one study done on this too. They say it has something to do with satiety, not that the sweeteners have magic weight loss powers (we know the magic formula is cico 😊). Stevia isn’t for me, it tastes weird and the taste lingers. Like some of you said we have given up so much already, I’ll continue to enjoy my Vanilla Coke Zero! 

@Red Hatter, I'm gonna have to take a sec to remind everyone that Dr. Oz is legit just a scammer. Look into his case record. Don't trust him as far as you can throw him (even though I'm confident that Super *could* throw him quite a good distance, that man can lift). Although I suppose the fact that even that con artist agrees that unprocessed sugars are best for your body just proves your point. lol 

I hate sugar substitutes. My sister is always on them. Thank you for sharing. I can warn her properly now. 

I drink a Diet Coke occasionally as a special treat but try not to make a habit of artificial sweeteners 

I prefer natural sweeteners or honey. Artificial sweeteners/Stevia taste so weird to me lol 

kenny 🙌 i agree.  

also...they make VANILLA coke zero?!?!?!? 🤔🤔🤔 i need it. then i can stop drinking 80 calorie coffees all day.... it adds up (CICO!)