I really need to give up artificial sweetners- any suggestions

happyteacher
on 9/16/12 6:38 pm

Hello,

I am coming to the conclusion that I need to give up artificial sweetners. I have too much of it for sure. My weight issues are in large part (pre op) to the constant seeking of sweet food, and I have come a long way from that. But the path is not complete, and I am at the point that I think I need to drop artificial sweetner. I do not want to eat stuff that will spike insulin levels (and yea, I just read that artificial sweetners can do just this) so are there any suggestions on something I can use in coffee that won't derail calories or carry a heavy load on the glycemic index?

I am not sure if I am ready to go cold turkey here, but I am setting a goal of reducing by at least 50%.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

itzmetinab
on 9/16/12 6:57 pm - WV

VSG on 07/16/12

I like stevia. It's zero calorie and all natural. You can even grow it yourself. I've also been told agave nectar is a good choice. I think it has some calories, but not so bad in terms of glycemic index.

Highest weight: 294 Surgery Weight: 281 Goal weight: 150
M1 - 20.6 M2 - 16.6 M3 - 17 M4 - 11 M5 -10.2

starry957
on 9/16/12 8:15 pm

I have Stevia at home in packets....and I read just yesterday on the box that it is not recommended to have more than 2 packets a day...so, I guess depending on how much of it you would use in a day..?

January 8th, 2013 - VSG with Dr Paul Sullivan (St Joe's Toronto)

HEATHER H.
on 9/16/12 7:50 pm - SC

VSG on 08/07/12

I am only 6 weeks post-op but have found myself concerned about this. It is very difficult to avoid artificial sweeteners when trying to low carb it. However, I hate "Franken-foods" and definitely believe that there is a downside to fake sugars. In fact, I have had diabetic patients who spike their sugar with aspartame, etc. So, I definitely believe that sweeteners jack with the body. Agave nectar is great as far as not spiking insulin levels as quickly. However, it actually has more calories and carbs than table sugar. That being the case, I doubt it would fit into most VSG diet plans. The Stevia is probably not a bad suggestion. I think I have come to the conclusion that artificial sweeteners are probably just about unavoidable for us but should be used in moderation, for sure.

Highest Weight: 270 Pre-Op Weight 267 Day of Surgery: 254.5 Current: 154 Month 1: -20lbs , Month 2 -16lbs, Month 3 -15lbs Month 4 - 10lbs, Month 5 - 11lbs; month 6 - 9lbs; month 7 - 6lbs; month 8 - 4lbs; month 9 - 5lbs; month 10 - 1lb

Kelly-AnneH
on 9/16/12 7:57 pm - Edmonton, Canada

VSG on 06/26/12

Coconut sugar has the same calories as regular, but it's low on the glycemic index, is loaded with potassium and is tastier than either sugar or artificial sweetener. It also costs more, but that just helps me use less.

Highest 303.4, Surgery 263, Current 217.8, Goal 180

lisa2job
on 9/16/12 8:26 pm - WA

VSG on 09/06/12

I have never heard of coconut surgar? is it just sweet or have a coconut taste?

Kelly-AnneH
on 9/16/12 11:09 pm - Edmonton, Canada

VSG on 06/26/12

It's also called palm sugar and is just dried sap from the blossom of coconut palms. It doesn't taste like coconut, and I'm afraid I can't really describe it - sort of .. rich tasting? You'd likely find it in health food stores, the natural foods section of your local grocery or online. Here in Alberta (Canada) I pay between $5 & $6 for a 1# bag. (which is why we use it sparingly) The potassium amount is pretty impressive at 1000 mg in a tablespoon.

Highest 303.4, Surgery 263, Current 217.8, Goal 180

Sarah W.
on 9/17/12 2:49 am - Overland Park, KS

VSG on 09/27/12

I like palm sugar and this new monk fruit sweetener by the makers of Splenda. Stevia tastes weird to me in packets but I just bought the vanilla creme liquid from whole foods and it's pretty good. I also use with extreme caution grade b maple syrup or raw honey in baking only not in anything like tea.

Splenda is chlorinated sugar or something like that.

Sarah 5'3" VSG 9/27/12 KC Bariatric Center. Find me on MFP! Sarah829522.

happyteacher
on 9/20/12 4:00 pm

VSG on 12/19/11

Thank you everybody for all the situations- I am going to go out for some coconut sugar to give that a try- sounds like a winner :0)

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

I really need to give up artificial sweetners- any suggestions

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I really need to give up artificial sweetners- any suggestions