Sugar Substitutes Makes Dieting Harder

on January 24, 2009 at 7:00 AM

sugar Fake sugar has been accused of a lot of things. And now it might make us fat.

A recent study from the American Psychological Association shows that sugar substitutes make dieting harder, according to an article on CNN Health. Researchers say the widespread use of no-calorie sweeteners make it more difficult to control our portions and body weight.

But sometimes, it's so hard to say no to sweetness-fake or real.

Experts point to the fact that sugar substitutes have been around for decades, and we still have an obesity problem in America. The advice is the usual: Use Nutra Sweet, Splenda and others in moderation and keep track of your total caloric intake.

You might even be better off eating a small bit of real chocolate because you'll feel more satisfied than eating one bigger, sugar-free treat.

For info on more natural sugar options, see my recent post, Are New Low-Calorie, Stevia Sweeteners Safe? Also check out neonds13's opinions on supposedly all-natural Agave nectar: It may not be so natural after all, according to her post in the private group, The Informed Parent. I'll do some research and post about agave soon in Healthy Living.

What do you think? Do you like artificial sweeteners?

Filed Under: alternative medicine, diets, eating healthy, energy & fatigue, in the news, nutrition, obesity, weight loss

Comments (5)

LIZARD66

on Jan 24, 2009 at 11:15 AM

I didn't find this to be true until I developed several autoimmune conditions over the past 2 years. Before that, I was losing without any problems at all--and drinking my diet soda.

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3gymnastsmom

on Jan 24, 2009 at 11:44 AM

I just don't think we know the whole truth about these fake sugars.
A good friend of mine was experiencing MS-like symptoms, a lot of numbness and tingling in her extremities. After I asked her to try dropping the diet sodas, all of her symptoms WENT AWAY! She had a couple diet drinks later, and the symptoms came back.

I'm not going to put that in my body, and forbid my kids from having it either, except small doses in sugar-free gum (an only on rare occasions.)

books4brooke

on Jan 24, 2009 at 5:34 PM

Aspartame is a neuro-toxin. I drank my share of Diet Coke before getting pregnant, and after I gave birth, it tasted AWFUL.

I think you should also write about the new High Fructose Corn Syrup commercials. We've looked into the studies, and they are almost all sponsored by the corn refiners association (or other lobby). People are actually buying into the commercial!

AndreaRUJuiced

on Jan 24, 2009 at 5:53 PM

The general public believes what they see and hear - which is unfortuneate... If something is chemically processed "Artificial" - RED FLAG - I don't care what it is coming from - I personally have many reactions to all the artificial sweeteners... If people only realized what these products do the brain and the body... But since it is available on a store shelf they think it is OK -