So what's the BOTTOM-LINE with Artificial Sweeteners?

[nanannie]

Stevia, made from a plant (Stevia plant). I buy mine at Whole Foods, NOT the stuff from the grocers that claim to have stevia in them but with chemical additives.

[Marlow]

Originally Posted by Onglet39

What's wrong with good old fashioned water? Why do you need to drink something sweet? Today's the day to break that sugar addiction and do what most healthy fit people do: drink water! No juice, no soda, no diet soda... water! You may not like it at first, but believe me in a few weeks you will not want any of that other crap once you recalibrate your body and taste buds. I haven't had a coke/diet coke in 15 years, don't miss it. I drink juice 2-3 times a year, and always for a purpose. Trust me, you don't need that stuff. Your body WANTS you to drink water over all else, we've just tricked it into thinking it needs more... hence our fat society! time to go back to basics!

This^^^^^^.

Start by cutting your juices with water or sparkling water and gradually add more water and less juice. Sugar is healthier than any artificial sweetener but water is still the best.

[ladybug07]

Originally Posted by LaoTzuMindFu

True. I just say people need to have control over their bodies and not let their bodies control them. Some folks are all "I just need something sweet" and say that they'll eat a lot of fruit or fruit juice or something else to "satisfy" their sweet cravings. I say this is stupid because YOU (the person) should have enough control over yourself, and knowledge to know that you should eat sweet stuff in moderation.

Once you eat right and cut the right things out of your diet, you really dont have those urges that bad. This is TMI, but there have been times right before that time of the month, I have craved deviled eggs (made with greek yogurt instead of mayo).

Originally Posted by evesadam

I say yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

Woooo!

Stones and Ric Flair reference in a single post FTW!

Oh, sorry. Um, try some organic syrup.

My understanding is that honey is vomited after being digested by bees.

Then again local honey is good for you especially if you are and allergy sufferer. There is a farm here locally that I get some honey from and its well worth the money.

So many sugars and artificial sweetners are overly process and have so many chemicals in them that they are scary. I do keep Sucanat, Demerara Sugar, Honey, Pure Organic Maple Syrup and Stevia on hand in my house.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by nanannie

Stevia, made from a plant (Stevia plant). I buy mine at Whole Foods, NOT the stuff from the grocers that claim to have stevia in them but with chemical additives.

I bought a stevia plant at a farm market in the spring, and use one leaf per pitcher of brewed iced tea when we feel like having a little sweet tea. One leaf is just enough.