When we hear the word "vitamin" we often just assume it means "good for me". After all, vitamins are made to supplement your diet and be healthy, water is good for you and you're always being told to hydrate. If you think "logically" the term "vitamin water" (or in this case the PRODUCT called Vitamin Water) sounds like it would be healthy for you. As someone who takes and sells nutritional supplements (only the best, of course ;-)), I know a thing or two about supplements and suspected this "Vitamin Water" product is not all it's cracked up to be. Turns out I was even more surprised than I thought I would be when I started researching the ingredients in this beverage. Surprised, and then a little pissed off.
First - not all vitamins are created equally, and not all of them are good for you, even the ones claiming to be - even some of the ones you might be taking. Some of them are in a form that your body does not even absorb. Popular and well known products like Centrum, Kirkland, and Jamieson, and even some brands from health food stores have been proven ineffective in the body as far as your body absorbing it goes. Other companies, like USANA, True Star, and Douglas Labs make outstanding, high quality products. They're more expensive, but...you get what you pay for. If you're interested in seeing if the vitamins you're taking are worth the money you're spending, check out the book "The Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements", by Lyle MacWilliam. You might be absolutely shocked at how effective your supplement really is...or isn't. Here's a link you can check out if you're interested in the book: http://www.comparativeguide.com/
But, I digress...my point was Vitamin Water. If a company that makes actual "vitamins "(i.e. Centrum) doesn't create a product that has quality ingredients that your body would actually absorb, I would suggest that it is highly unlikely that the $2 drink I might pick up at the gas station is made with vitamins, nutrients, or minerals that is being marketed to me as healthy will contain any good quality vitamins either. I'm saying, I think if there actually ARE any vitamins in this product, they will either not be in a form your body will absorb and are likely very poor quality.
I read the ingredients on the label (of course!) and found the following - Please keep in mind the RDI (recommended daily intake) are rather old and were developed many years ago, and there is a lot of controversy surrounding whether these amounts are actually high enough for us today:
Medicinal Ingredients (per 591 ml bottle)
Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) 5 mg (RDI is 15 mg for adults)
Vitamin B5 (calcium d-pantothenate) 2.5 mg (RDI - varies between 6 & 10 mg per day)
Vitamin B6 (pridoxine HCI) 0.5 mg (RDI for adults - 2.5 mg)
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) 1.5 mcg (RDI 4-6 mcg)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 90 mg (RDI - 75 mg)
Zinc (zinc gluconate) 3.75 mg (RDI 15 mg)
Even if we assume that the RDIs of of any of these vitamins are not subject to controversy, drinking one of these per day will not meet the current requirements for a human body. You would need to consume more than one of these drinks PER DAY, and the average 591 ml bottle has 120 - 130 calories (empty ones, in my opinion, and anything that has that color that can't be found in nature should be avoided anyway). So beyond their "nutrient packed" beverage (or lack of nutrients, thereof), here are the rest of the ingredients:
Non Medicinal Ingredients:
Reverse osmosis water (fancy!!)
Crystalline Fructose
Cane sugar
Fruit and vegetable juices for color (I've never seen these shades of orange, pink or purple you see in these drinks in the forest, or anywhere else in nature!)
Citric acid
Natural flavor
When I emailed Coca Cola to ask what exactly "natural flavor" meant, they suggested I contact Glaceau, the people who make it because they didn't know for sure. Glaceau hasn't responded yet, but in their defense, it has only been about a week. And seriously Coke - you don't know exactly what is in the products you're selling & can't comment on it? Shame on you!!
My BIGGEST shock was the ingredient called "Crystalline Fructose". Instantly, I know something is up...especially since the word "fructose" is there, it's the second ingredient, and that is followed by cane sugar in addition to the ingredient of the "fructose" persuasion.
Crystalline fructose is a processed sweetener derived from corn (ohmygod!! seriously?!) that is almost ENTIRELY FRUCTOSE. It is estimated to be about 20% sweeter than table sugar and 5% sweeter than...you guessed it...high fructose corn syrup (HFCS, glucose-fructose). It is processed/metabolized in the body the same way that HFCS is, which is predominantly via the liver, and is linked to causing all those same diseases that HFCS is. Fatty liver disease, obesity, coronary disease, etc. AAAH!! These food industries will stop at NOTHING!!
First of all - have you ever had table sugar and thought to yourself "You know...this just isn't quite sweet enough. If it were only 20% sweeter, THEN it would be awesome!" Really? Since when is table sugar not sweet enough?
Secondly - and this is probably the most important point - WTF is wrong with these businesses?! How can the people who own these companies sleep at night knowing they are making money off killing people, and LYING to them about it and implying that it's a healthy beverage?
Third - so you've gone and put this poisonous, toxic, people-killing sweetener in your drink, and in case that's not enough sweetness, you add sugar? Really? I thought sugar wasn't sweet enough...what did I miss here?
If there really is such a place as hell, I am sure these people have VIP passes to get in. They'll be there with Hitler, insurance companies, car dealers, and of course, TELUS.
This product is sold by one of the biggest corporate giants in the world, Coca Cola. We all know how much Coca Cola LOVES to CARE about the health and wellness of Canadians. That's not fair of me...they don't just "care" about Canadians...they sell their unhealthy products to all the citizens of the world. Coca Cola has the right to run their business, and make money off their customers. Personally, I don't believe they should be permitted to do so at the expense of the health of Canadians, but I don't think anyone in the food industry should be allowed to do that. They should be required to be completely honest about their ingredients, and not "fluff" things up with lies and half truths. Market honestly and ethically, and let people decide on their own - with TRUTHFUL information. It is our right as consumers to know this information, and unless and until there are regulations in place to require that these industries behave ethically, we as consumers can choose to not buy their products and make smart, informed decisions about what we're putting in our bodies. I'm going with a big fat "no" on anything these jerks make - water included!
Want to toss some B vitamins into your diet? Try having some tuna, eggs (yolk) turkey, oats, whole grains, avocados, spinach, broccoli, beet root, brussel sprouts, cabbage, asparagus, legumes or potatoes. Bring a banana, almonds, Brazil nuts, oranges or peaches along with you if you're in a hurry. All of these foods are real, whole and nutritious and I tell you what - you won't hear of them causing you diseases.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
To be or not to be...Vegetarian
I often get questions from people about my being a vegetarian. Things like, how I did it, do I miss meat, how do I get protein, why did I stop eating meat, etc. So, here's a bit of my story and a few tips about things to try, common things to look out for if you are considering this way of eating.
First, let me start by saying I do not believe that being a vegetarian is for everyone. The one and only reason for my believing this is because everyone's body is different. Some people do very well on a vegetarian or vegan diet, while others do not. Just like some people have allergies and intolerances to things that others can eat. Almonds might be good for me; filled with fibre, calcium and protein, but if you're allergic to them, umm....not so good for you, right? Personally, my body has done very well without animal proteins and I've been doing this by a choice of my own, since I was 6 years old. For reals! A little vegetarian girl in Rural Alberta - I am sure you can imagine how well THAT went over everywhere I went! Ah..good times.
I also know people who are very unhealthy vegetarians. Some of them appear as though they could really benefit from eating some source of protein derived from animal sources. Some of them even have high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes from stuffing crap into themselves and thinking it's okay because it's not meat. Just becoming a vegetarian does not mean you're guaranteed good health - there is a right way to do it if your body will let you, and if you do it in a healthy way.
I'm always talking about listening to your body, and paying attention to how your body feels when you eat specific things and this is because I believe that the human body is the most sophisticated piece of machinery in the entire Universe. If it is given proper nutrition, exercise and rest, it will perform all kinds of miracles on a daily basis that nothing man-made could even compare to. If you listen to that beautiful piece of awesomeness and provide it with what it is asking you for, you will be rewarded in kind with a pretty sweet body-machine to live your life in. Sure, your iPhone is wicked awesome, but does it actually heal itself? Nope. Nothing on Earth is more fascinating, sophisticated or intuitive than the human body. Be mindful and listen to it!
There are complete and incomplete vegetable proteins. If you are eating an incomplete vegetable protein (i.e. legumes) then you combine them with another vegetable protein (i.e leafy green veggies like spinach) to have a complete protein. Here are a few of my favorite COMPLETE vegetable proteins:
Quinoa - a perfect protein. It's kind of like rice in that it's a grain (well...not technically) and is great for people with any sorts of wheat intolerances or other tummy sensitivities as it's gluten free. It is high in calcium, protein, iron, vitamin E & several B vitamins. I use quinoa as a rice substitute when I don't want rice, and I also make a number of salads with it. Deee-lish! You can get this at any organic market, and I think I've even seen it at a regular supermarket.
Hemp Hearts (shelled hemp seeds) - No, you're not going to get high from eating them! Hemp hearts are a complete protein, are very easy to digest, and are suitable for people who cannot eat meat, dairy, nuts, or eggs. They contain fibre, protein, calcium, sodium, vitamin E, A, D, C and some of the Bs. You only need a few tablespoons full of these a day. You can put them in oatmeal, cereal, shakes, stirfrys - anything. They look a little like sesame seeds and have a slight nutty taste. Pick them up at a health food store.
Edamame Beans - I LOVE these. I eat them as side dishes, and as snacks. Sometimes, I just eat them for lunch. SO GOOD! They are baby soy beans in the pod, and in addition to being a perfect vegetable protein (like regular soybeans), they're loaded with all sorts of other awesomeness. They're rich in calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, iron, and are low in calories. You can buy frozen bags of organic edamame beans at Safeway. Steam them for a few minutes, and top with a little sea salt. SO GOOD, and so good for you!
Spirulina - I can't stand this substance, but if you can stomach it - good on you! It's AMAZINGLY good for you. Loaded with EFAs (essential fatty acids) protein, tons of vitamins and minerals - all around perfect. I do not eat it personally as it makes me feel sick after I eat it and I think it tastes terrible and reeks something awful. I do however, know people who really enjoy it and have experienced many health benefits from eating it. You can get it at a health food store.
If you are considering cutting meat out of your diet and your body is okay with that, remember to replace that meat with other protein sources. If you don't have a complete protein, like some I've listed above, combine your proteins to get those essential fatty acids. Some other sources of incomplete proteins are legumes, (chick peas, lentils, peanuts) nuts (cashews, almonds, pecans, etc.) seeds (sesame, sunflower) leafy green veggies (kale, spinach, etc.) brussel sprouts, potatoes, grains (buckwheat, spelt, kamut). If you are finding you're lacking satiety, as meat definitely makes you feel full for a long time, you might find that eating more vegetables and filling up on fibre will help satisfy that.
If you don't like salmon or chicken at all, but think you should eat it because you heard it is better for you, you may be in for some disappointment. If your body does not like salmon and you get sick when you eat it, it isn't good for you. Listen to your body :-) If you eat red meat and you feel great afterwards, then...do the math. Yes, chicken is typically leaner and "better" for you, but again - does your body like it or not? All foods should be consumed in moderation and North American diets typically have WAY too much meat in them, but if you consume everything in moderation, and your body thanks you for it then you're probably doing alright. If however, your body is telling you that all you want is junk food, then you've got some serious work to do with getting it back on track. You're likely lacking nutrients and have abused it enough that it needs some love & help.
Another common concern people have is that they think food has no flavour without meat. I'm just going to call a big old bullshit on that one. Toss some seasonings in with your food, marinades, dressings. It is really easy to learn a few tips on things to make your food taste great - my personal favorite foods to add to everything are garlic, ginger, dill, curry, coriander, lemon, and balsamic vinegar. Not all in the same dish of course, that would be wrong, but these little bits pack a big punch of flavor & awesomeness. Pick up one of Jamie Oliver's cookbooks (his guide to making you a better cook - I think it's called Cook with Jamie) and learn a few really simple techniques. Contrary to what my mother believes, just because something is good for you, does not mean it has to taste like crap. Vegetarian, Meatatarian or not - if it tastes like crap, I'm sure as hell not eating it!
My reasons for staying a vegetarian have evolved over the years. While I became a vegetarian because I didn't want to eat animals, I do not judge others who do eat them. I believe that all things (animals included) have a purpose and, those who are eaten by people have served their purpose. They have provided nutrition to bodies and families that needed it, and to give up their lives like that is quite a noble sacrifice. This is why I am a HUGE believer in ethical farming and treatment of animals. Remember - if you are eating an animal, you are eating what they ate. Animals that are unhappy, treated poorly, fed inappropriately, medicated, tortured - you are eating all of those things. Each of us decides what we are comfortable with putting in our bodies - I can't say personally that I would be okay with eating anything like that, especially when there are choices available for all of us that make it possible for us to NOT choose those types of foods.
I will always remain a vegetarian because my body is very happy without any animal protein at all. I seldom consume any dairy products as my body has developed a sensitivity to them and I cannot consume them without my reacting physically to it. I sure wish I could eat a big block of cheese sometimes (oh cheese, I miss you) but unless I want to be in pain, I'll just pass on that. Feeling healthy and strong wins for me :-) Most of my diet is raw and fresh, it is all whole food, and I take very good quality supplements as well. I do not miss eating meat, in fact, I don't even remember what it tastes like. I do cook it on occasion for friends if I have them over for dinner, but I usually need help figuring out if it is cooked or not. When I do cook meat, I always thank the animal for having given up its life to nourish my friends. Seriously. I know that it's just a chicken breast that I'm talking to, and it's already dead, but I still thank it. It can't hurt, right? I'm sure that extra bit of love in the food won't hurt anyone.
First, let me start by saying I do not believe that being a vegetarian is for everyone. The one and only reason for my believing this is because everyone's body is different. Some people do very well on a vegetarian or vegan diet, while others do not. Just like some people have allergies and intolerances to things that others can eat. Almonds might be good for me; filled with fibre, calcium and protein, but if you're allergic to them, umm....not so good for you, right? Personally, my body has done very well without animal proteins and I've been doing this by a choice of my own, since I was 6 years old. For reals! A little vegetarian girl in Rural Alberta - I am sure you can imagine how well THAT went over everywhere I went! Ah..good times.
I also know people who are very unhealthy vegetarians. Some of them appear as though they could really benefit from eating some source of protein derived from animal sources. Some of them even have high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes from stuffing crap into themselves and thinking it's okay because it's not meat. Just becoming a vegetarian does not mean you're guaranteed good health - there is a right way to do it if your body will let you, and if you do it in a healthy way.
I'm always talking about listening to your body, and paying attention to how your body feels when you eat specific things and this is because I believe that the human body is the most sophisticated piece of machinery in the entire Universe. If it is given proper nutrition, exercise and rest, it will perform all kinds of miracles on a daily basis that nothing man-made could even compare to. If you listen to that beautiful piece of awesomeness and provide it with what it is asking you for, you will be rewarded in kind with a pretty sweet body-machine to live your life in. Sure, your iPhone is wicked awesome, but does it actually heal itself? Nope. Nothing on Earth is more fascinating, sophisticated or intuitive than the human body. Be mindful and listen to it!
There are complete and incomplete vegetable proteins. If you are eating an incomplete vegetable protein (i.e. legumes) then you combine them with another vegetable protein (i.e leafy green veggies like spinach) to have a complete protein. Here are a few of my favorite COMPLETE vegetable proteins:
Quinoa - a perfect protein. It's kind of like rice in that it's a grain (well...not technically) and is great for people with any sorts of wheat intolerances or other tummy sensitivities as it's gluten free. It is high in calcium, protein, iron, vitamin E & several B vitamins. I use quinoa as a rice substitute when I don't want rice, and I also make a number of salads with it. Deee-lish! You can get this at any organic market, and I think I've even seen it at a regular supermarket.
Hemp Hearts (shelled hemp seeds) - No, you're not going to get high from eating them! Hemp hearts are a complete protein, are very easy to digest, and are suitable for people who cannot eat meat, dairy, nuts, or eggs. They contain fibre, protein, calcium, sodium, vitamin E, A, D, C and some of the Bs. You only need a few tablespoons full of these a day. You can put them in oatmeal, cereal, shakes, stirfrys - anything. They look a little like sesame seeds and have a slight nutty taste. Pick them up at a health food store.
Edamame Beans - I LOVE these. I eat them as side dishes, and as snacks. Sometimes, I just eat them for lunch. SO GOOD! They are baby soy beans in the pod, and in addition to being a perfect vegetable protein (like regular soybeans), they're loaded with all sorts of other awesomeness. They're rich in calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, iron, and are low in calories. You can buy frozen bags of organic edamame beans at Safeway. Steam them for a few minutes, and top with a little sea salt. SO GOOD, and so good for you!
Spirulina - I can't stand this substance, but if you can stomach it - good on you! It's AMAZINGLY good for you. Loaded with EFAs (essential fatty acids) protein, tons of vitamins and minerals - all around perfect. I do not eat it personally as it makes me feel sick after I eat it and I think it tastes terrible and reeks something awful. I do however, know people who really enjoy it and have experienced many health benefits from eating it. You can get it at a health food store.
If you are considering cutting meat out of your diet and your body is okay with that, remember to replace that meat with other protein sources. If you don't have a complete protein, like some I've listed above, combine your proteins to get those essential fatty acids. Some other sources of incomplete proteins are legumes, (chick peas, lentils, peanuts) nuts (cashews, almonds, pecans, etc.) seeds (sesame, sunflower) leafy green veggies (kale, spinach, etc.) brussel sprouts, potatoes, grains (buckwheat, spelt, kamut). If you are finding you're lacking satiety, as meat definitely makes you feel full for a long time, you might find that eating more vegetables and filling up on fibre will help satisfy that.
If you don't like salmon or chicken at all, but think you should eat it because you heard it is better for you, you may be in for some disappointment. If your body does not like salmon and you get sick when you eat it, it isn't good for you. Listen to your body :-) If you eat red meat and you feel great afterwards, then...do the math. Yes, chicken is typically leaner and "better" for you, but again - does your body like it or not? All foods should be consumed in moderation and North American diets typically have WAY too much meat in them, but if you consume everything in moderation, and your body thanks you for it then you're probably doing alright. If however, your body is telling you that all you want is junk food, then you've got some serious work to do with getting it back on track. You're likely lacking nutrients and have abused it enough that it needs some love & help.
Another common concern people have is that they think food has no flavour without meat. I'm just going to call a big old bullshit on that one. Toss some seasonings in with your food, marinades, dressings. It is really easy to learn a few tips on things to make your food taste great - my personal favorite foods to add to everything are garlic, ginger, dill, curry, coriander, lemon, and balsamic vinegar. Not all in the same dish of course, that would be wrong, but these little bits pack a big punch of flavor & awesomeness. Pick up one of Jamie Oliver's cookbooks (his guide to making you a better cook - I think it's called Cook with Jamie) and learn a few really simple techniques. Contrary to what my mother believes, just because something is good for you, does not mean it has to taste like crap. Vegetarian, Meatatarian or not - if it tastes like crap, I'm sure as hell not eating it!
My reasons for staying a vegetarian have evolved over the years. While I became a vegetarian because I didn't want to eat animals, I do not judge others who do eat them. I believe that all things (animals included) have a purpose and, those who are eaten by people have served their purpose. They have provided nutrition to bodies and families that needed it, and to give up their lives like that is quite a noble sacrifice. This is why I am a HUGE believer in ethical farming and treatment of animals. Remember - if you are eating an animal, you are eating what they ate. Animals that are unhappy, treated poorly, fed inappropriately, medicated, tortured - you are eating all of those things. Each of us decides what we are comfortable with putting in our bodies - I can't say personally that I would be okay with eating anything like that, especially when there are choices available for all of us that make it possible for us to NOT choose those types of foods.
I will always remain a vegetarian because my body is very happy without any animal protein at all. I seldom consume any dairy products as my body has developed a sensitivity to them and I cannot consume them without my reacting physically to it. I sure wish I could eat a big block of cheese sometimes (oh cheese, I miss you) but unless I want to be in pain, I'll just pass on that. Feeling healthy and strong wins for me :-) Most of my diet is raw and fresh, it is all whole food, and I take very good quality supplements as well. I do not miss eating meat, in fact, I don't even remember what it tastes like. I do cook it on occasion for friends if I have them over for dinner, but I usually need help figuring out if it is cooked or not. When I do cook meat, I always thank the animal for having given up its life to nourish my friends. Seriously. I know that it's just a chicken breast that I'm talking to, and it's already dead, but I still thank it. It can't hurt, right? I'm sure that extra bit of love in the food won't hurt anyone.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Artificial Sweeteners
In our never ending quest to find that magic food that tastes sweet, but doesn't make us fat, has no calories or is suitable for those with diabetes who want a sweet treat, we as a society look for sweeteners other than sugar to fit that bill. Enter: aspartame and sucralose.
Aspartame (in Equal, Nutrasweet, Sugar Twin) and sucralose (known as Splenda) are two of the most common sweeteners that have filled that void for us. Diabetics are told it is okay to eat it because it doesn't interfere with their blood sugar levels, and calorie counting weight loss groups encourage their participants to eat it because it has no calories and they won't gain weight. It's sugar free, so it's good for you!! No calories = awesome!! Sigh...the things they do to get us to eat their products. Bigger sigh...the things we will eat because we think "Score!!" on the zero calories & the fat not heading straight to our asses!
Let's start with aspartame. For those of you who do not know, aspartame is one of the most poisonous substances you could consume. In a 2006 study, rats that were fed artificial sweeteners at rates notably less than what is considered "acceptable/safe" daily levels of consumption for humans showed extensive evidence of malignant cancers including lymphomas, leukemias, and tumors at multiple organ sites. It is speculated that this is related to one of metabolites found in aspartame, namely methanol, which is metabolized in both rats and humans to formaldehyde. 'Member that stinky stuff from Biology when you dissected stuff? Yeah!! That!! Mmmmm!!! The details of that particular study can be found here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/02/060213093019.htm
There have also been several reports that show ingestion of aspartame has caused the following symptoms in humans: headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, memory loss, joint pain and anxiety attacks - just to name a few. Wow! That DOES sound awesome! I mean, isn't everyone looking for this when they eat? It gets better though...oooh!! I'm so excited!!!
There is even further research/reports that suggest that consumption of aspartame can trigger or worsen the following diseases: brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, and fibromyalgia. Whaaat?!
Sucralose: now, sucralose's claim to "healthy" fame is that it is "natural" because it is made from sugar. Yes, it is partially made from sugar, but three of the hydroxy groups in the Splenda molecule have been replaced by chlorine atoms. Are you EFFING kidding me?! Chlorine? Riddle me this...would you ever intentionally eat chlorine? Would you ever think while out in the supermarket "Hmmm...I need to pick up some tidbits for the kids' lunches...let's see...bread, cheese...oh! And I can't forget the chlorine!" EVER?!! And did you know that Splenda (the trade name for sucralose) was stumbled upon by scientists in 1976 who were seeking a new pesticide formulation?
Sure, there are also reports that suggest that both these chemicals are safe for human consumption. There was also a time in our history that we believed things like thalidomide and mercury were safe in certain doses for humans as well...and we all know how that turned out. Personally, if something is linked to any of the above symptoms or diseases at ALL - I'm going to steer clear of it. If my food is in any way, shape or form going to be metabolized in my body as formaldehyde - no dice!! If my food is comprised of chlorine atoms, I can't help but think of my local swimming pool and Lord knows I ain't eating any of that kind of nasty!!
I personally do not need to see ANY type of study from some industrial giant or any of their lemmings that suggests the idea that it is safe for me to eat chlorine or formaldehyde in specific doses. Just going to go with a big fat "no" when it comes to eating any of those. I'm just not willing to take a chance at waiting till some yahoo in the government finally decides to support the idea that it is not safe for me to eat. Remember, if there are businesses who have a vested interest in keeping you consuming this product, they'll fund research to support the idea that it is safe. And again - governments are not responsible for making healthy choices for you - it's up to you to do the research and make those decisions yourself.
Looking for a no calorie, natural sweetener? Try Stevia. It made from a plant that's been around forever & can be found in liquid or powder forms at the health food store. It is extremely sweet, so be careful how much you're putting in your coffee, because you might be in for a surprise! Diabetics, you may want to check with your medical professional to see if they support the idea. Some of them say go ahead, others don't.
Other healthier sweeteners you could try are raw (not processed) honey, organic maple syrup, rice syrup etc. Again, sweeteners are still sweeteners and are best only when consumed in moderation, but when was the last time you saw any controversy surrounding consumption of them causing things like mental retardation, multiple sclerosis or cancer? Come to think of it...you don't hear about real foods at all causing these kinds of diseases. Ever heard of someone consuming too much leafy green broccoli and causing themselves brain tumors or epilepsy? Ummm...never? I'm going to stick to eating food. Real, whole food that I know is food, that my body knows and accepts as NUTRITION, and not some magical, miracle scientifically packaged item pretending to be food.
Aspartame (in Equal, Nutrasweet, Sugar Twin) and sucralose (known as Splenda) are two of the most common sweeteners that have filled that void for us. Diabetics are told it is okay to eat it because it doesn't interfere with their blood sugar levels, and calorie counting weight loss groups encourage their participants to eat it because it has no calories and they won't gain weight. It's sugar free, so it's good for you!! No calories = awesome!! Sigh...the things they do to get us to eat their products. Bigger sigh...the things we will eat because we think "Score!!" on the zero calories & the fat not heading straight to our asses!
Let's start with aspartame. For those of you who do not know, aspartame is one of the most poisonous substances you could consume. In a 2006 study, rats that were fed artificial sweeteners at rates notably less than what is considered "acceptable/safe" daily levels of consumption for humans showed extensive evidence of malignant cancers including lymphomas, leukemias, and tumors at multiple organ sites. It is speculated that this is related to one of metabolites found in aspartame, namely methanol, which is metabolized in both rats and humans to formaldehyde. 'Member that stinky stuff from Biology when you dissected stuff? Yeah!! That!! Mmmmm!!! The details of that particular study can be found here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/02/060213093019.htm
There have also been several reports that show ingestion of aspartame has caused the following symptoms in humans: headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, memory loss, joint pain and anxiety attacks - just to name a few. Wow! That DOES sound awesome! I mean, isn't everyone looking for this when they eat? It gets better though...oooh!! I'm so excited!!!
There is even further research/reports that suggest that consumption of aspartame can trigger or worsen the following diseases: brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, and fibromyalgia. Whaaat?!
Sucralose: now, sucralose's claim to "healthy" fame is that it is "natural" because it is made from sugar. Yes, it is partially made from sugar, but three of the hydroxy groups in the Splenda molecule have been replaced by chlorine atoms. Are you EFFING kidding me?! Chlorine? Riddle me this...would you ever intentionally eat chlorine? Would you ever think while out in the supermarket "Hmmm...I need to pick up some tidbits for the kids' lunches...let's see...bread, cheese...oh! And I can't forget the chlorine!" EVER?!! And did you know that Splenda (the trade name for sucralose) was stumbled upon by scientists in 1976 who were seeking a new pesticide formulation?
Sure, there are also reports that suggest that both these chemicals are safe for human consumption. There was also a time in our history that we believed things like thalidomide and mercury were safe in certain doses for humans as well...and we all know how that turned out. Personally, if something is linked to any of the above symptoms or diseases at ALL - I'm going to steer clear of it. If my food is in any way, shape or form going to be metabolized in my body as formaldehyde - no dice!! If my food is comprised of chlorine atoms, I can't help but think of my local swimming pool and Lord knows I ain't eating any of that kind of nasty!!
I personally do not need to see ANY type of study from some industrial giant or any of their lemmings that suggests the idea that it is safe for me to eat chlorine or formaldehyde in specific doses. Just going to go with a big fat "no" when it comes to eating any of those. I'm just not willing to take a chance at waiting till some yahoo in the government finally decides to support the idea that it is not safe for me to eat. Remember, if there are businesses who have a vested interest in keeping you consuming this product, they'll fund research to support the idea that it is safe. And again - governments are not responsible for making healthy choices for you - it's up to you to do the research and make those decisions yourself.
Looking for a no calorie, natural sweetener? Try Stevia. It made from a plant that's been around forever & can be found in liquid or powder forms at the health food store. It is extremely sweet, so be careful how much you're putting in your coffee, because you might be in for a surprise! Diabetics, you may want to check with your medical professional to see if they support the idea. Some of them say go ahead, others don't.
Other healthier sweeteners you could try are raw (not processed) honey, organic maple syrup, rice syrup etc. Again, sweeteners are still sweeteners and are best only when consumed in moderation, but when was the last time you saw any controversy surrounding consumption of them causing things like mental retardation, multiple sclerosis or cancer? Come to think of it...you don't hear about real foods at all causing these kinds of diseases. Ever heard of someone consuming too much leafy green broccoli and causing themselves brain tumors or epilepsy? Ummm...never? I'm going to stick to eating food. Real, whole food that I know is food, that my body knows and accepts as NUTRITION, and not some magical, miracle scientifically packaged item pretending to be food.
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