Aspartame - Evil?

Velvet · 07-23-2004, 11:39 AM

Hello all,

I don't post much here but I certainly ready every thread and have learned so much..so thank you!

I consume quit a bit of aspartame in my diet through the consumption of Diet jello (a package a few times a week), diet caffeine free pepsi (2 per day) and crystal light (at least a box (makes 3 litres) a day.

How bad is this and what effect does it have on fat storage?

When I'm adding sweeteners (to oatmeal, coffee etc) I use splenda as it tastes better and has yet be proven to cause cancer in rats/people. However, Canada doesn't sell many products with Splenda or Stevia in them

Would a better alternative to crystal light (aspartame) be sugar free kool-aid/freshee packets mixed with Splenda or stevia (which, by the way, I think tastes like mold ) As I don't have any sugar in my diet, i use this as my 'crutch' to get over cravings...any advice?

Thanks sooooooooo much !!

**Jodi** · 07-23-2004, 12:08 PM

I think too many sweetners will affect fat loss. I notice that when I cut my intake in half I lean up faster.

If you MUST have that much sweetner then use Steveia. Why not make homemade Iced Tea with Stevia and Lemon? I drink alot of unsweetened tea.

I drink crystal light but I dilute it. I make a regular pitcher of it and then pore half in a glass and then add water for the other half. At first it tastes weak but after a week or 2 doing it that way it will taste too strong with its regular concentration.

**IainDaniel** · 07-23-2004, 12:19 PM

Diet orange Crush and Diet Cream Soda are Splenda FYI.

Velvet · 07-23-2004, 12:22 PM

Thanks so much Jodi! It's a scary thought giving up my sweetners..but I'll definately try diluting the crystal light and just drinking more green tea which I can drink without any sweeteners. I've tried the liquid stevia, but I noticed it had kind of a woody taste! Is that what it' supposed to taste like or did I get a 'bad' bottle of it?

Thanks again for your quick reply!

Velvet · 07-23-2004, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

Diet orange Crush and Diet Cream Soda are Splenda FYI.

Ya, I had heard that too...hard to find around here

..I'll have to look harder..thanks!

**Jodi** · 07-23-2004, 12:24 PM

I hate liquid stevia

I found the packets to be much more tolerable.

**IainDaniel** · 07-23-2004, 12:30 PM

Liquid Stevia is Nasty IMO. I use the powdered in my Cottage Cheese.

Diet Cream Soda and Orange Crush are in Most Grocery Stores. Where are you in Ontario. I see them in Sobeys', Zehr's, Loblaws

atherjen · 07-23-2004, 01:05 PM

I use pure stevia powder. It only takes a very minimal amount to add to things, pinches literally. I actually prefer this over Splenda as I find it has no aftertaste and is much more better for me IMO, as it is a natural herb, not chemically produced.
As Jodi mentioned I make my own lemonade as well, lemon juice, stevia and ice water.

does the trick for me.
as for the sugar free jello, look for Hunts sugar Free Juicy Gels, its sweetened with Splenda, rather than aspartame.
Again, as most things, keep it in moderation, too much of anything isnt good.

Velvet · 07-23-2004, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

Liquid Stevia is Nasty IMO. I use the powdered in my Cottage Cheese.

Diet Cream Soda and Orange Crush are in Most Grocery Stores. Where are you in Ontario. I see them in Sobeys', Zehr's, Loblaws

Kingston..we don't have a sobey's or zehr's here..but Loblaws is my home away from home...I'll give it another look, thx

Velvet · 07-23-2004, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jodi

I hate liquid stevia

I found the packets to be much more tolerable.

Funny you should say that, was in the Natural food store today and saw the packets...for $10 a box!!!

Velvet · 07-23-2004, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atherjen

I use pure stevia powder. It only takes a very minimal amount to add to things, pinches literally. I actually prefer this over Splenda as I find it has no aftertaste and is much more better for me IMO, as it is a natural herb, not chemically produced.
As Jodi mentioned I make my own lemonade as well, lemon juice, stevia and ice water.

does the trick for me.
as for the sugar free jello, look for Hunts sugar Free Juicy Gels, its sweetened with Splenda, rather than aspartame.
Again, as most things, keep it in moderation, too much of anything isnt good.

Thanks Atherjen...boy I think you post on all the sites I visit..busy girl

Thanks for the tips...k, I already weaned myself off real sugar..now on the artificial stuff lol...*sigh*

Premo55 · 07-23-2004, 03:58 PM

I feel you 200%....I use a lot of sweeteners every day, I don't drink diet soda or any of that stuff, but I use a lot in my oats and brown rice, etc. It's pretty terrible. Today is a high carb day and I will be using 15 packs of Sugar Twin throughout the day.

Peace.

cjrmack · 07-23-2004, 04:17 PM

I use just a touch of honey to sweeten oatmeal, not even a teaspoon. I would rather use that than artificial sweetners.

atherjen · 07-23-2004, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velveteyes

Thanks Atherjen...boy I think you post on all the sites I visit..busy girl

Thanks for the tips...k, I already weaned myself off real sugar..now on the artificial stuff lol...*sigh*

hmmm Im not on many other sites anymore at all. This is where I call home

try and slowly cut back on things, not all at once. It'll come

aztecwolf · 07-23-2004, 07:21 PM

some of ya'll gotta let go of all those damn sweetners, i mean 2 sodas a day and 3 litres of crystal light, what's wrong with just plain ol' water?

Weight39 · 07-23-2004, 08:08 PM

This site has some interesting thoughts: www.aspartamekills.com

Vital Signs · 07-23-2004, 08:23 PM

No sweeteners, and no sodas,... especially the diet crap! Stick with WATER..! If you use creatine, then mix it with with Welches 100% pure White Grape Guice...and slam it before working out! Keep the water intake high! When I eat breakfast, I drink water,... when I eat lunch, I drink water,... when I eat dinner, I drink water,... In between, and all day long, drink WATER..!

aztecwolf · 07-23-2004, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vital Signs

No sweeteners, and no sodas,... especially the diet crap! Stick with WATER..! If you use creatine, then mix it with with Welches 100% pure Grape Guice...and slam it before working out! Keep the water intake high! When I eat breakfast, I drink water,... when I eat lunch, I drink water,... when I eat dinner, I drink water,... In between, and all day long, drink WATER..!

word up dude, word up

Premo55 · 07-23-2004, 08:32 PM

You know, I don't care as far as sweeteners go. I'm gonna try and cut back a little bit, maybe cut my intake by about half, but life isn't worth living if I can't even use 10 packs of sweeteners a day to make my food taste better. I eat clean every single day, pretty much 350 days a year, so I think I deserve to have sweet grains with my clean food, and a salad dressing to make my veggies palatable. I do sometimes wish that I could be as spartan as some of the dudes on this site, who can shovel food down without seasonings and sweeteners, but really when I look at it, I'm pretty unrepentant about it.

Definitely agree with the water thing though. I can't stand sweet drinks, and drinking other stuff means I'll feel less inclined to meet my water intake for the day.

Peace.

Vital Signs · 07-23-2004, 08:34 PM

Word, man,... word up..!

Quote:

"Just give me some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and i'm fine" Spicoli, Fast Times at Ridgemont High

My favorite all-time culture flick..!

Vital Signs · 07-23-2004, 08:49 PM

Quote:

but life isn't worth living if I can't even use 10 packs of sweeteners a day to make my food taste better.

GEEZE, man,... get rid if that shit..! I don't understand why everything has to be sweet. Everybody seems to have to pump some sort of sweetener into their diet. These sweeteners will kill you! Take it natural,... and blast your body the way was meant to be..! Leave the artificial crap out..!

If you absolutely have to sweeten your diet, then use pure raw honey,... especially raw SunFlower honey..!

Premo55 · 07-23-2004, 08:59 PM

Whatever dude. I'd like to see your studies where sweeteners have been proven to kill you. And I like sweet stuff. I cheat probably 10 days a year, I think I deserve something to keep me eating clean. At least I dont' take in large amounts of trans fats on cheat day binges or anything like that.

Peace.

Vital Signs · 07-23-2004, 09:09 PM

Peace to you as well, Premo..!

Sorry if I came across too confrontational. Do whatever works for you! I'll stick with the natural stuff... if I need something sweet..!

leykis1o1 · 07-24-2004, 10:30 AM

its in that Bew Low Calorie Coca Cola

Diakonos · 07-27-2004, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

Diet orange Crush and Diet Cream Soda are Splenda FYI.

That's not true. Diet Crush has aspartame in it. It is listed on the back of the container as an ingredient. Diet Rite soda uses Splenda and it taste pretty good too.

**IainDaniel** · 07-27-2004, 09:36 AM

Here in Canada it is sweetend with Splenda

Velvet · 07-27-2004, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

Here in Canada it is sweetend with Splenda

Yep! I just bought some yesterday and it's sweetened with Splenda

07-23-2004, 11:39 AM	#1
Velvet Leaning Out Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 4,542 Photos: 2	Aspartame - Evil? Hello all, I don't post much here but I certainly ready every thread and have learned so much..so thank you! I consume quit a bit of aspartame in my diet through the consumption of Diet jello (a package a few times a week), diet caffeine free pepsi (2 per day) and crystal light (at least a box (makes 3 litres) a day. How bad is this and what effect does it have on fat storage? When I'm adding sweeteners (to oatmeal, coffee etc) I use splenda as it tastes better and has yet be proven to cause cancer in rats/people. However, Canada doesn't sell many products with Splenda or Stevia in them Would a better alternative to crystal light (aspartame) be sugar free kool-aid/freshee packets mixed with Splenda or stevia (which, by the way, I think tastes like mold ) As I don't have any sugar in my diet, i use this as my 'crutch' to get over cravings...any advice? Thanks sooooooooo much !!

07-23-2004, 12:08 PM	#2
Jodi Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 22,265 Photos: 1	I think too many sweetners will affect fat loss. I notice that when I cut my intake in half I lean up faster. If you MUST have that much sweetner then use Steveia. Why not make homemade Iced Tea with Stevia and Lemon? I drink alot of unsweetened tea. I drink crystal light but I dilute it. I make a regular pitcher of it and then pore half in a glass and then add water for the other half. At first it tastes weak but after a week or 2 doing it that way it will taste too strong with its regular concentration.
	Essence EFA

07-23-2004, 12:19 PM	#3
IainDaniel My Role Model Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 15,614	Diet orange Crush and Diet Cream Soda are Splenda FYI.
	Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

07-23-2004, 12:24 PM	#6
Jodi Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 22,265 Photos: 1	I hate liquid stevia I found the packets to be much more tolerable.
	Essence EFA

07-23-2004, 12:30 PM	#7
IainDaniel My Role Model Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 15,614	Liquid Stevia is Nasty IMO. I use the powdered in my Cottage Cheese. Diet Cream Soda and Orange Crush are in Most Grocery Stores. Where are you in Ontario. I see them in Sobeys', Zehr's, Loblaws
	Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

07-23-2004, 12:22 PM	#4
Velvet Leaning Out Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 4,542 Photos: 2	Thanks so much Jodi! It's a scary thought giving up my sweetners..but I'll definately try diluting the crystal light and just drinking more green tea which I can drink without any sweeteners. I've tried the liquid stevia, but I noticed it had kind of a woody taste! Is that what it' supposed to taste like or did I get a 'bad' bottle of it? Thanks again for your quick reply!

07-23-2004, 01:05 PM	#8
atherjen DS Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: MS Posts: 5,757	I use pure stevia powder. It only takes a very minimal amount to add to things, pinches literally. I actually prefer this over Splenda as I find it has no aftertaste and is much more better for me IMO, as it is a natural herb, not chemically produced. As Jodi mentioned I make my own lemonade as well, lemon juice, stevia and ice water. does the trick for me. as for the sugar free jello, look for Hunts sugar Free Juicy Gels, its sweetened with Splenda, rather than aspartame. Again, as most things, keep it in moderation, too much of anything isnt good.
	" To dream anything you want to dream: That is the beauty of the human mind. To do anything you want to do: That is the strength of the human will. To trust yourself to test your limits: that is the courage to succeed." NPC Southern Classic, June 3rd NPC Cajun Classic, June 10th NPC Mississippi State July 22nd

07-23-2004, 03:58 PM	#12
Premo55 Mic Murderer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 1,059	I feel you 200%....I use a lot of sweeteners every day, I don't drink diet soda or any of that stuff, but I use a lot in my oats and brown rice, etc. It's pretty terrible. Today is a high carb day and I will be using 15 packs of Sugar Twin throughout the day. Peace.
	T DOT O.

07-23-2004, 04:17 PM	#13
cjrmack Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Palm Desert, CA Posts: 247	I use just a touch of honey to sweeten oatmeal, not even a teaspoon. I would rather use that than artificial sweetners.

07-23-2004, 07:21 PM	#15
aztecwolf Sackin' up every day Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: san diego Posts: 1,267 Photos: 3	some of ya'll gotta let go of all those damn sweetners, i mean 2 sodas a day and 3 litres of crystal light, what's wrong with just plain ol' water?
	-Sack Up- "If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding. How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?" Pink Floyd, Another Brick in the Wall

07-23-2004, 08:08 PM	#16
Weight39 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: stl Posts: 93	This site has some interesting thoughts: www.aspartamekills.com

07-23-2004, 08:23 PM	#17
Vital Signs Pure Energy Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 177	No sweeteners, and no sodas,... especially the diet crap! Stick with WATER..! If you use creatine, then mix it with with Welches 100% pure White Grape Guice...and slam it before working out! Keep the water intake high! When I eat breakfast, I drink water,... when I eat lunch, I drink water,... when I eat dinner, I drink water,... In between, and all day long, drink WATER..!

07-23-2004, 08:32 PM	#19
Premo55 Mic Murderer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 1,059	You know, I don't care as far as sweeteners go. I'm gonna try and cut back a little bit, maybe cut my intake by about half, but life isn't worth living if I can't even use 10 packs of sweeteners a day to make my food taste better. I eat clean every single day, pretty much 350 days a year, so I think I deserve to have sweet grains with my clean food, and a salad dressing to make my veggies palatable. I do sometimes wish that I could be as spartan as some of the dudes on this site, who can shovel food down without seasonings and sweeteners, but really when I look at it, I'm pretty unrepentant about it. Definitely agree with the water thing though. I can't stand sweet drinks, and drinking other stuff means I'll feel less inclined to meet my water intake for the day. Peace.
	T DOT O.

07-23-2004, 08:59 PM	#22
Premo55 Mic Murderer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 1,059	Whatever dude. I'd like to see your studies where sweeteners have been proven to kill you. And I like sweet stuff. I cheat probably 10 days a year, I think I deserve something to keep me eating clean. At least I dont' take in large amounts of trans fats on cheat day binges or anything like that. Peace.
	T DOT O.

07-23-2004, 09:09 PM	#23
Vital Signs Pure Energy Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 177	Peace to you as well, Premo..! Sorry if I came across too confrontational. Do whatever works for you! I'll stick with the natural stuff... if I need something sweet..!

07-24-2004, 10:30 AM	#24
leykis1o1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 63 Photos: 3	its in that Bew Low Calorie Coca Cola

07-27-2004, 09:36 AM	#26
IainDaniel My Role Model Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 15,614	Here in Canada it is sweetend with Splenda
	Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

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