- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
1st Trimester
alibuddha
member
Splenda and Diet Foods
alibuddha
member
Help/advice needed! I use lots of splenda during the day - about 15 packets a day (on coffee and oatmeal), then I drink about 4 to 5 of those Crystal Lite on-the-go packets, and 2 diet sodas. I am not a big fan of water, hence why I drink Crystal Lite. But I need some advice - if you're preggers or were, did you use artificial sweetner, drink diet soda or any of the above? If so, how much?
I know that Splenda isn't bad, but they say only in moderation. But what the heck is moderation?? Also, what are some alternatives that I can use that aren't unhealthy (like sugar)?Has anyone tried Truvia? I did and thought it had an after taste. Maybe there are alternatives someone knows of?
THANKS!!
Married Sept. 2009
TTC #1 since Sept. 2010
BFP May 18, 2011 - Due date January 26, 2012
Baby Number One!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Splenda and Diet Foods
15 packets sounds like a lot to me - I would consult your OB. For oatmeal, how about a small dollop of jam? Coffee - I use a little half and half, or just switch to sugar. It only has 16 calories a tea spoon. Some people like agave nectar. It's sweet and similar to honey, but has a lower glycemic index, from what I recall.
As for water - try sparkling water or lemon water instead.
I have a diet coke every afternoon, but that's about the extent of artificial sweetener that I use. If you see my reply to an earlier post (titled something like artificial sweetener or the real deal?) you can see I posted a link the NCI's statement on sweeteners and cancer. They are generally safe, but your level of intake is pretty high by most standards.
It might just be a good time to try reducing your reliance on "sweet" as a flavor.
As for stevia/truvia - the jury is still out as to whether it is safe. Just because it is a naturally ocurring product does not mean it is - remember that botulism and strychnine are also "natural" - and not safe!!
I am a runner, knitter, scientist, DE-IVF veteran, and stage III colon cancer survivor.
Married Filing Jointly Blog
I think that if you're needing that much sweetness, you'd be better off to switch to actual sugar. It's still not ideal, but much safer at the levels you're currently consuming. Not trying to get on your case--just being honest.
I've had good luck with agave nectar and honey as sugar alternatives. May I ask why you use artificial sweeteners instead of sugar? That might help us figure out what a good alternative would be for you. For example, if you've been doing to watch your weight, there have been studies showing that artificial sweeteners can actually cause more weight gain than actual sugar. If you're diabetic, agave nectar can be a good choice because it has a low glycemic index.
Instead, try agave nectar or honey to sweeten oatmeal and coffee if you want to stay away from regular sugar. Drink soda in moderation (a few times a week) and drink regular, not diet. Good luck.
Married Filing Jointly Blog
The reason I use so much splenda is because I drink a ton of coffee - of course, now it will be decaf. I'm only 4 weeks along, but when we realized we're pregnant, it is causing a shock to me on how many bad habits I have and now will have to change. I also use that much splenda and diet soda and Crystal Lite because I try to watch my weight. I'm a normal weight and very healthy (in the sense that I work out and eat vegetarian and have good health stats), but I don't want to start using regular sugar and than put on extra weight (besides the baby weight) because that would be a ton of extra sugar and calories. I heard it's unhealthy to gain more than you really "should." Plus, I guess the honest answer is that I don't want to have a hard time losing more baby weight than needed. I've always been concerned about my weight, but of course, my baby's health is more important than that.
I think that is too much artificial sugar even when not pregnant. Some is fine, my Dr told me the first time around he'd rather I have a diet coke or two than drink regular coke with all those empty calories. But the key there is one or two.
If you don't like plain water, try getting a big jug and adding sliced cucumbers and oranges like spas have around. Flavors the water wonderfully.
And just try cutting back on the level of sweetener you use in things like coffee and oatmeal. You probably won't notice a difference if you do it a bit at a time.
I'd cut back on the coffee-even decaf has caffeine, and some types more than others. Starbucks decaf has more caf than the caf coffee my dad drinks at home.
I try to avoid artificial sweeteners anyway, but my midwife definitely said to avoid them during pregnancy. Use sugar, honey, or agave nectar for some added sweetness if you need to.
As far as drinks with a little flavor, try mineral waters like H2Oh! or LaCroix. They have no calories, sodium or sweeteners, but they're carbonated like soda and have a slight fruity flavor. I like them as a change from regular old water.
I did consume artificial sweeteners with my first pregnancy because I had gestational diabetes. I was only allowed a very very small amount of carbs, and basically no refined sugars. If I wanted ice cream or yogurt I had to have the stuff made with artificial sweeteners. I used them sparingly, just a few times a week at most, and had a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
However, I agree with the other posters that it sounds like you are using too much in a day. For your oatmeal try jam like a PP said, fresh fruit, or even just a touch of brown sugar to sweeten it. If you cut back on your coffee and use just a bit of a flavored creamer you'd cut out that Splenda and would be fine to have a diet soda once a day or a few times a week. And I love water with lemon squeezed in, maybe that can replace the Crystal Lite.
DD1 Feb 2010
DD2 Sept 2011
Everyone else has already told you how bad it is so I won't
I eat very little processed food in general & artifical sweetners are certainly out. Just a note, they confuse your body which is why you crave more and more.
Good alternatives are agave, honey, cane sugar. You will find that you need very little to satisfy you and your body is much better at using these sweetners. I also just add milk to my coffee and I get the sweet from that now.
For other drinks, I love, love, love flavored seltzer--no calories and no sodium. I also sometimes mix V8 fruit fusion with seltzer to create a "soda" that has nutritional value.
Good luck coming off that stuff!!
Another suggestion in place of Crystal Light is Hint--it's just naturally sweetened water with a "hint" of whatever flavor it boasts. They sell it at Starbucks but I've gotten it for much cheaper at the grocery store.
Dried fruit, fresh fruit or flavored yogurt is a good "sweet" taste when added with oatmeal.
Not sure if you like Soy milk (esp. vanilla flavored), but I've found that using this vs. creamer or milk to decaf tea/coffee gives just the right amount of sweetness w/o having to add any sweeteners to it.
HTH
I used to be a Splenda junkie... and a big coffee drinker as well.
When pregnant with DS, I learned to drink my coffee black, no sweetener. I still do it. I just cut back until it was gone, and now I don't notice. I have sworn off anything that isn't natural at this point. If it takes chemicals to create, I don't eat it. Pregnant or not.
My attitude during pregnancy is this... if the jury is out on the safety of something, even in moderation, why take a chance?
What you really need to do is un-train yourself from liking everything so sweet all the time. Lots of people will tell you that once the cut out soda, sweetened drinks, etc. that sooner or later they don't crave them anymore.Conversely, if you have a habit of sweetened drinks, you are more likely to crave other sweet things on a regular basis, and you'll end up overeating on sugar in your foods.
But if you check out Whole Foods, Trader Joe, etc. there are plenty of naturally sweetened waters, or you can make your own with some fruit/fruit juice.