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1st Trimester
My thoughts on artificial sweeteners & other chemicals
I really try to eat as "whole" as possible (meaning, real foods - fruits & veggies close to their most natural state). I've always been extremely sensitive to chemicals - whether ingested or topical - and artificial sweeteners & MSG are up there at the top of what sets off my migraines instantaneously.
I know people always say "everything in moderation." But really...? I just don't get why you'd willingly subject yourself to certain things that can actually cause problems (whether you have known reactions or not) - when you're not pregnant - and especially while you're pregnant. It doesn't matter if the FDA has approved these things....they are run by big companies, so I don't really give much stock to what the FDA approves or not (especially considering that many other countries do not allow these chemicals in their foods)
I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but I don't care... I'm a big girl & can take it.
Anyways - if you have concerns about MSG or artificial sweeteners - here's a few links for you to read:
and
and
https://www.truthinlabeling.org/
This discussion has been closed.
Re: My thoughts on artificial sweeteners & other chemicals
Our Family Blog.
Bravo! I mean, I am not as extreme as you...I do sort of follow an everything in moderation approach, but that's partially because I love wine, chocolate, and ice cream, all of which are altered forms of natural products.
I try to eat "whole" just like you for most of the week. We buy fresh fruits and vegetables (to hell with the canned crap!....although I do purchase canned tomatoes and beans for ease). On the weekends, I'm certainly going to have a good burger and fries if I want.
When people ask me how I stay so fit, I tell them it's all about the food. I say, "if it's not obvious that God (or whatever Higher Power) has made this food, there's probably a better option out there.
Don't even get me started on water...I've already said my peace about that. OMG...who in their sane mind would ever say "I don't like water!"
BFP 12/05/10 (EDD 8/8/11), empty gestational sac 12/31/10, natural miscarriage 01/05/11
BFP 03/03/11, EDD 11/09/11, We love you so much already, our sweet little munchkin!!!
*Congrats to buddies MrsAtch, cflocco, MommyandKate, luckylady55, opallover, trishiepoo, stephsteph77, and Pachita! Praying for healthy babies for all of you!*
*Congrats to my buddy, Izabella22 (BFP 5/11/11)!!!Sending you Ts and Ps for a healthy, take-home baby!
*Congrats to my buddy, myaddiwaddi06(BFP 10/31/11)!!!Sending you Ts and Ps for a healthy, take-home baby!
I disagree. I've always read that in moderation, artificial sweeteners are fine. I drank Diet Coke & Crystal Light all throughout my last pregnancy and DD's just fine. My doctor has always told me that unless you're consuming truck loads of artificial sweeteners, you're fine.
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So you ingested a bunch of chemicals while pregnant. Your DD is only 5 mos old - and sure she's fine just now.... but what about 5, 10, 15, 20+ years down the road. Who's to say she won't have issues then - or that you won't as well??? (I pray that she doesn't experience any issues as I would never wish ill on anyone)
People neglect to look at the long term effects. Why do you think that we have SO much more infertility and cancer now then we did way back 25 or 40 or 50 years ago? Let's see...adding chemicals to our food (or heck - even to the plants before they are even ready to be food), everything is made of plastic, disposable this (chemically laden disposable diapers), and products made up of 100% chemicals that no one seems to question because "it must be ok because it's on the shelf for sale."
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MSG triggers my moms migraines too. And i just hate anything that has artificial sweetners in it.. yuck..
Before we moved back home we ate what we could afford which didn't always mean "chemical free." I have had to read up on MSG and sulfites due to my husband having issues with these preservatives. They have started putting them in saltine crackers now, which I have no idea why since they were fine before. Anyway, it is frustrating when you actually cannot ingest them and they seem to be in so many things. Luckily, now, we are able to can our own vegetables and have our own chickens. Our family buys a cow every year from our friend whose cattle are treated and fed like royalty lol. My dad even grows his own grapes and makes his own wine. Unfortunately it is terrible lol. The chickens like it though
Fruits are a different story and quite expensive around here in my opinion. My biggest fear is the genetically altered food. I don't know of anyone around here that doesn't use GMO corn. My dad goes on and on about the genetically altered salmon that the FDA is approving eventhough there is not enough research available to prove that they won't negatively affect the environment. And they don't have to tell you that the food or fish is genetically altered. But what can you do. I would be the only one picketing frankenfish in Kansas lol.
I couldn't agree more that the way Americans eat is ridiculous - chemical additives, processed, loaded with sugar, etc...it is disgusting. But, I also have to say that I have much better eating habits when I am not PG...I have some of the weirdest cravings that I can't silence unless I give in when I am pregnant (cheese puffs, anyone?!??!)...I have had orange fingers for most of my first trimester...not kidding!!! So, I do my best, but I am only human!
Infertility? Because people often wait longer to have kids now than they did 25 years ago. That's one possibility.
Cancer? yeah, could be food. Could be pollution. Could be that we're living longer and detecting cancer at higher rates.
I sound like I disagree with you - and I really don't. I avoid artificial sweeteners and attempt to keep processed food out of my diet. I want to give my future baby the best advantage that I can, and obviously keeping these things out of my diet can't hurt, and might help. But I also don't think that we can say with certainty what is causing some of these problems you list.
No, not "a bunch". I consumed in moderation. The majority of the time I'm drinking water. I just choose not to live my life in fear...when there's no scientific research to prove that something's harmful.
They say cell phones may cause cancer, do you not own a cell phone?
Living in fear just isn't my personality. If I enjoy something, my doctor says it's okay, and all research that I've done myself says it's okay, then I'm going to enjoy it!
eta: And to say that artificial sweeteners cause infertility is pure ignorance.
Oh - I'm definitely saying that it is the SOLE reason as to why we have these issues - and that these are the only issues we're having (I didn't even mention obesity, and that is probably the biggest side effect to these chemicals that we have). Yes - I realize that there are other reasons that can also produce these health issues.
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Oh - I'm definitely not saying that it is the SOLE reason as to why we have these issues - and these aren't the only issues we're having (I didn't even mention obesity, and that is probably the biggest side effect to these chemicals that we have). Yes - I realize that there are other reasons that can also produce these health issues.
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My grandma. I love her, God knows I do, but I think her problem & hatred with water is the reason she has to do dialysis now. She has always drank sweet tea and coke, even though we tried to get her to do better for her diabetes.
I try my best not to eat processed food, but no water is never an option!
Um, I'm glad you're perfect and all, but lay off other people & what they choose to do. I agree that chemicals proably have long term effects & feed my daughter incredibly healthy. That said, DH and I weren't raised to eat like that & have a hard time eating healthy ourselves.
I'm all about being healthy, but quit being so damn judgy. Sheesh.
Honestly, I love water but if someone doesn't like it, who am I to judge? I don't like pumpkin pie, is there something wrong with that too?
As far as your grandma goes, could she possibly need dialysis because she's older? People are living much longer than they were 50 years ago, our organs just are not always meant to last as long as we end up living.
Looks like MissyOlivePants needs to get off her high horse and check her facts first.
Aww, thanks you smartypants. That must be what caused my 4 miscarriages. I'll make sure I have my RE call you so you can impart your amazing wisdom.
Seriously, I'm as health-nutty as they come, and I eat whole fresh foods too. Hell, we even eat venison and elk at our house because it's healthier than beef. But really? I don't think a stick or two of sugar-free gum or a protein shake from time to time is that big a deal. And I bet if they didn't give you migraines, you wouldn't either.
ETA: and you do realize that lead is "natural" and table salt is a "chemical," do you not?
No effing joke.
I stay pretty far away from artificial sweeteners and chemicals. Five miscarriages in the last two years.
Any other theories?
According to the American Cancer Society, "About 1,529,560 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2010. This estimate does not include carcinoma in situ (noninvasive cancer) of any site except..."
"This year, about 569,490 Americans are expected to die of cancer, more than 1,500 people a day. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the US, exceeded only by heart disease. In the US, cancer acounts for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths."
Hmmm....whether or not the actual numbers go up or down a tiny bit doesn't quite mean much to the MILLIONS of people that are being diagnosed with cancer IN ONE YEAR, now does it??????????? (remember...these stats are for the US only...no other countries are included. Doesn't that make you sick to your stomach? Have you not had a loved one or even someone you don't particularly care for diagnosed with cancer or even die from it ever?)
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I NEVER once blamed it on miscarriages. Trust me on this...I've had one myself. Paleeze
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Crazysauce (MSG-free, natch) , aisle 2.
It says cancer is #2 to heart disease. Where is your post ranting about consumption of sugar, HFCS, refined carbohydrates, and trans fats? It's #1, baby.
Also, you just said that people with cancer brought it on themselves. With artificial sweeteners. Congrats, you win today's Douche o' the Day Award.
Recurrent miscarriage is a recognized form of infertility. Our official IF designation is "Habitual Aborter."
So yes, in saying that these chemicals have increased the rate of IF, you are saying multiple miscarriages are caused by ingesting these substances.
No...you're putting extra words into my mouth that I didn't say. Yes - chemicals can increase the rate of IF - but that doesn't mean it necessarily pertains to yours.
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Methinks inference (y'know, "if this, then that" reasoning) ain't her strong suit.
Methinks inference (y'know, "if this, then that" reasoning) ain't her strong suit.
NO... I did NOT say that people bring it on themselves. Yes, some people do, but not everyone - geeze. But if you'd like me to rant about HFCS & all that, it's right up my alley - but instead, I'm going to tend to my toddler who just woke from her nap.
And thanks for the award! Love it!
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Now why would you say that?
Oh I see. It's just other women dealing with the hell of unexplained IF who have brought it on themselves by eating art. sweeteners and chemicals. Because that's so much better.
OP, yes those things you mentioned are known to cause cancer, but the very air you breath everyday can contain poisonous gasses, and chemicals as well. Are you going to stop breathing because it can cause cancer?
Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter
"><a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/825/1820/8251820.png" /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - Free <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Calorie Counter</a></small></p>Clearly your doctor didn't get his MD from OlivePants School of Ignoring Empirical Evidence in Favor of Crazed Rants and Suppositions.
This exactly. I have an extremely low tolerance for annoying, ignorant people.
Yes, I have known someone who has been diagnosed and then died of cancer but I'm not under the illusion that they consumed anything that you consider poison which lead them to certain death. Wow, when you put it that way, why not blame all the cancer patients for their disease. You disgust me.
This!
Let's hope not!
Unexplained IF
IUI#1 + Clomid + Trigger= BFP!! EDD: 8/8/11
DS#1 Born 8/11/11
TTC#2
BFP #2 3/1/12 Ended in M/C on 3/17/12 @ 7w
11/12 IUI#1 + Clomid + Trigger= BFP, EDD: 8/18/13, Beta#1 (45), Beta #2 (265) Beta #3 (2545)
S/PAIF/PAL ALWAYS WELCOME!!
PSA: As long as we're talking about causes of cancer, everyone should test their house/basement for radon. It's the number one cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. DH and I weren't aware of this when we bought our first home, but we recently bought a radon detector for our basement since we live in the midwest, where the highest levels are found.
https://www.epa.gov/radon/
I just couldn't help myself.
::Butting in from 6-9 months::
This exactly. If you don't stop judging people and how they choose to parent now, you'll be eating a HUGE slice of humble pie once you have your own baby. You end up making decisions you never wanted to make to do things you said you'd never do because it's what your baby needs to live and be happy. Everyone's circumstances and values are different, so get off your high horse.
::Butting out::
I know this is late but I will just give my 2 cents.
I have taught college biochemistry and the honest answer is ... well we just don't know.
All those chemicals could cause harm and we do see an increase in cancer rates but we cannot yet say there is a 1:1 ratio with all the toxins we are exposed to. We know large quantities with lab rats will cause harm but humans exposed to low doses over time we just don't have supporting evidence and many cancers and diseases have environmental links. You cannot say this caused that (for most things) because we are exposed to so much over a lifetime.
With that being said I do avoid all Artificial Sweeteners when pg and nursing. Not that I think my kid will get cancer but I am looking at what crosses the placenta and what makes it into breastmilk. I know we don't have definitive information and so for me it is about limiting the unknown possible risks.I know my kids will be exposed to all of it sooner or later (and will be exposed to much worse) but I am thinking about concentration versus size. How will a certain chemical affect a baby weighing 200-500 grams versus a child now 25 pounds?
Research is finding BPA, pollution from cars, and many chemicals in the cord blood but cannot link it to any specific disease and do not know what the consequences (if any) from being exposed in utero.
Lastly, you cannot claim infertility is caused by toxins or artificial sweeteners. That is WAY to broad of a generalization and pointing a finger on women already struggling emotionally and physically with infertility is just not right!