Sugar substitutes?

KP1970

Sugar substitutes?

KP1970

I am so confused by everything I am reading about sugar substitutes. My onc doesn't like the idea of any artifical sweeteners, but does think that Splenda is probably okay. Of course, no long term studies have been done, so who knows? I have a huge sweet tooth and although I fight it all the time (especially now after a cancer dx!), I do want to know what is probably safest to use in baking (I try and bake all of our cookies and treats rather than buying them at the grocery store). I picked up a box of Estee Fructose Sweetener today - I had never heard of it but thought it might be safer than the other sweeteners out there (???) Or should I just stick with plain ol' sugar and not eat as much (???) I have heard too that sugar "feeds" cancer, but of course that is assuming that one HAS cancer, not HAD (as I like to think about myself)!!

paige-allyson

There is a lot of info out there on the role of sugar in various aspects of the cancer process which is very complex. Based on what I have read I try to seriously limit sugar from all sources including natural products like honey and maple syrup- whole fruits are a different story. I am inclined to think your oncs wariness re: artificial products is well founded. Splenda seems like it might be better/safer but it hasn't been around for long and there's a part of me that says "who knows?" On the thinking of oneself as "having had" rather than "having" cancer, I like to think like that too, yet I know that only time will tell and that controlling my diet is one of the things I can actually do to (hopefully) keep it from coming back. I finally have pretty much purged the house of sweets and am feeling good about that and more in control. Having a sweet treat on a special occasion is one thing, having sweets as a daily food group as most Americans do is another. I just read the Dr. Oz book "You Staying Young" in which he explains the role of excess sugar in the aging process and in the development of various diseases including cancers. There's other great info in there on other things one can do to promote health and prevent cancer. In general people who have had cancer are advised to follow guidelines for cancer prevention to prevent/delay recurrence.

althea

I've tried splenda and for a while I liked it.  After a while, though, I noticed an aftertaste reminiscent of all those other fake sweetners that I never did like.  Remember cyclamates?  I just don't trust anything that's new.  If splenda is still around in 20 years and reported to be safe, well, maybe I'll reconsider. 

I was using splenda in my coffee for a while.  Last week I got a bottle of stevia to use instead.  I had tried it before and liked it.  Or so I thought.  This time I really didn't like it!  I get that aftertaste from it that the fake sweeteners have.  So now I have a whole bottle of the stuff.  Guess I'll try again.   

lwimsmorris

Everything that I've researched suggests that Splenda is not a good idea. There are several all natural sweeteners such as Agave or Xylotol which are much better for you. Personally, I've decided to go back to raw sugar in limited quantities. Good Luck!

paige-allyson

Althea- I am with you on the stevia, tried it at my cousins urging and did not care for it at all. The main thing I want sugar in is coffee and I am seriously considering weaning off the sugar in it AND the cow's milk. I was reading again re: the risks of even organic milk and estrogen because of the cows being preganant so much of the time. My onc actually mentioned milk as a major concern, along with soy.

KP1970

Thanks ladies. I tried Stevia and thought it was awful. I even bought a Stevia cookbook and the few recipes I tried, I about gagged on. What to do - I LOVE sweets!! LOL

KP1970

I have been reading Ann Louise Gittleman's book, "Get The Sugar Out" and it seems that most artificial sweeteners are NOT good at all, including Splenda. Anyone try Agave? She gives a thumbs up to that one.

althea

So what's the deal with splenda?  I haven't heard or read anything negative about it. 

As for coffee, you might try a nondairy beverage made from oats.  I tried some two weeks ago in my coffee and really liked it.   I also tried rice milk and almond milk, but I liked the oat milk the best.  

paige-allyson

I will see if I can find oat milk. I like almond and rice milk for other uses but it just doesn't work for me in coffee.