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Weight Loss Caution

May 18, 2006 on 5:50 am | In Main, Weight Loss |

Artificial sweeteners have been used for around 30 years now as a means to help with Weight Loss, but it has been clouded by controversy.  In fact it is one of the most contentiously debated substances used in the food and drink we consume daily.  So why do we keep consuming it? 

Because we are trying desperately to Loose Weight!  In our effort to drop in size we could be killing ourselves.  While its OK to use certain Supplements and substitute full fat for low fat, we need to be more aware of what is meant by ’sugar free’. All the diet food and drinks companies promote their ‘NO SUGAR’ and ‘NO CALORIES’ products strongly. The companies all viciously protect their products from criticism for the use of Artificial Sweeteners, saying they are safe. 

However there are groups of researchers and health advocates who are convinced that the most popularly used chemical in artificial sweeteners today, Aspartame, is a toxin.  They associate Aspartame with various health issues including headaches, dizziness, blindness and seizures.  Others claim that diseases like Lupus, Graves Disease, MS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and even diabetes has Aspartame written all over it.  Degenerative diseases which are at epidemic levels are looking to blame Aspartame.  The worst disease of all that points finger at Aspartame is Cancer. 

In our desire for Weight Loss, we are probably not looking too closely at the fact that the consumption of products like diet sodas containing artificial sweeteners could potentially lead to loss of life rather than loss of weight.  Most people consume tons of diet products because they are aware that they contain no sugar and no calories.  What they are not told though, is that the sugar replacement could be dangerous.  They are unaware because manufactures don’t advertise all the facts. 

If you think you are not guilty of using products containing Aspartame, think again.  The more obvious products are the diet sodas, coffee sweeteners (Nutra-sweet and Equal), and sugar free KoolAids.  What a lot of people don’t realize is that almost half of all the groceries bought today are products with reduced sugar.  Reduced sugar means that artificial sweeteners are added for taste to make up for the loss of sugar.  These products include cereals, fruit juices, ice cream, maple syrup, flavored milk, cookies, bottled water and some pediatric medicine, to mention a few.  

Looking after your Weight is very important but do educate yourself about what you put in your mouth.  For example, look for the notice on products that say ‘contains phenylalanine – that simply means Aspartame.  I personally used sweeteners in my coffee for about three years.  I stopped when someone pointed out the potential danger! 

I recon that if you are serious about Weight Loss as well as long term Health, then avoid products that contain any form of Artificial Sweeteners until there is conclusive evidence that it is safe.  Loads of products on the market have natural sweetening from fruit and if you have a really sweet tooth, or major cravings for something sweet, speak to a nutritionist.  Sometimes your sweet cravings are simply due to a lack of certain vitamins and minerals.  It may also be worth investigating a product like Chromium Picolinate as it is famed for reducing sweet craving among other Weight Loss benefits.

What’s your view?

by Angela