honest ? re: sugar/fake sugar.

amiamish

I've seen someone here say Crystal Light is worse then Kool-Aid or something like that. I think they were saying the fake sugar is worse then real sugar....

anyone care to tell me? I thought "sugar free" (like Crystal Light) would be a better choice for DS (and DH & I), but now I have doubts.

 

MarysMomma

We try to stay away from "fake" sugar or anything labeled sugar free.

At home we use stevia or agave as a sweetener.  When it comes to DD, I would rather her have cane sugar in treats once in a while than the scary stuff in sugar free products.

 Reading Skinny *** really did a number on me when it comes to sugar. 

DandelionMom

Fake sugar is made of artificial chemicals and there are some studies that link those with cancer so I choose real sugar for the kids whenever possible.  If you want to cut back on the sugar, dilute the juice or kool-aid, that's what we do.

KoriBrett

Sugar Free = chemicals.  Yes, they're worse than real sugar.

Given the choices of Juice, KoolAid, or Crystal Light, I'd give my kid juice.  At least with juice there's a chance of getting some real fruit fiber in there.

minnasmommy

I don't let S drink Kool-aid (maybe at a party or something)  but I won't buy it. we also don't use any fake sugar. in our house its just plain old sugar. usually organic!

juniper19

Well, real sugar is bad because of the calories (and it is usually in the form of high fructose corn syrup which is very processed).

Fake sugar is bad because it is all chemicals and no one really knows what they do to your body in large quantities over long periods of time.  Plus there is some evidence that too much fake sugar makes your body actually crave real sugar so you end up consuming it in other ways.

Water is your best choice, followed by real juice cut with water (Kool-Aid?!?  really?!? why?!?), but my guiding philosophy is "everything in moderation."

butterbeansmama

I have always heard that any sugar substitute (fake sugar) is worse than the real thing (real sugar).

Just like supposedly margarine is worse for you than real butter.

amiamish

well crap! There goes my Mommy Award... damn.

thanks girls!! I'll go back to kool-aid and juice (I think its cheaper anyways).

am073104

I stay away from artificial sweeteners.  and margarine.  Would rather use the real thing sparingly than have my body be like "wtf is this stuff?!" and give me a tummy ache.  I actually have tummy issues when I inadvertently consume nutrasweet. =(

GinandTonic

What they said - about the chemicals... ...as I drink my Coke Zero. Oh well.

veloelle

Real sugar has 15 calories in 1 teaspoon. Not something I'm worried about, kwim? We try to eat as clean as possible at home, and I absolutely do not eat any artificial sweetener for anyone in the family.  I'm not a food nazi (hello, Wendy's for dinner on Saturday) but artificial sweetener is an absolute for me.

Also, Splenda gives me the runs, which I think is beyond gross. My body can't process fake food.

Zenya

no fake sugar!  I would even give my kids pedialyte b/c it has aspertame.

KellyGreen

DandelionMom:

Fake sugar is made of artificial chemicals and there are some studies that link those with cancer so I choose real sugar for the kids whenever possible.  If you want to cut back on the sugar, dilute the juice or kool-aid, that's what we do.

this.  DH likes fake sugar, which is OK - he is an adult and can make his own choices and is a little bit overweight.  But I'm not going to put artificial sweeteners into my child's body.

penguingrrl

It seems to me like each time they come out with an artificial sweetener a few years later there are studies on how bad it is for you.  So we avoid all artificial sweeteners. 

wellfleet04

Fake sugar gives ME migraines, so I know there's something bad in it.  I avoid it for all of us, not just the kids. It just freaks me out how something like Coke Zero can have TASTE but no calories, you know?!  What IS that?!

CleoKitty

In general I try to chose real food in it's natural state (ie: sugar) over engineered food (ie: HFCS, artificial sweeteners).

That being said, I've gotta admit to a Cherry Coke Zero fetish...but I won't let the kids have it, LOL.