Diabetes Forum banner
  • Welcome! Are you ready to join the discussions? Click here!

Artificial Sweeteners

17K views 64 replies 19 participants last post by  Cricket 
#1 ·
I was wondering if anyone else is having high blood sugar reading, and think it might be caused by artificial sweetners and other like ingredients? I am allergic to anything with aspatame, I bloat up, huge and fall asleep and can't awake for hours. I was using Splenda a few years ago, and started having the boating with it. So this time around I was using Stavia in the Raw, only a packet every 3-4 day a little each day. My sugar reading were not budging. So I stopped and the next day's see a huge drop.i also seem to have bad luck with sugar alcohols like in the Atkins products. I think my body thinks it's still sugar, and reacts crazy to it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Squawkx
#2 ·
there are some that this will happen to and you should continue to try to find different sugar substitutes or the one that might be the least damaging.

If you are putting it in a drink I would experiment like this

  • Baseline by drinking your normal drink with sugar. test before and one hour after and 2 hours after
  • Test again same time next day with the same drink but with a sugar substitute. Test before and 1 hour after and 2 hours after

Keep doing this until you find one that is the least damaging or one that doesnt spike it at all.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!
 
#4 ·
Once I get aspatame, I have about 5 minutes to get someplace safe to sleep it off. I drive a school bus, and I have to be extra careful while out on trips, or just out alone for a drive. Lucky, I can smell it in foods, I think it's my body's way of protecting itself.
 
#6 ·
Have him be careful, that's how it started with me, just headaches, then it progressed. I was able to use Splenda and Stavia for a while, and then they started causing reactions. I'll try to fine my research and post it here.
 
#7 ·
Have you tried pure stevia powder? The Stevia in the Raw uses dextrose as a filler. Most ingredients are listed in order of most to least, dextrose is first and stevia is last. It doesn't list the amounts of each, but to put in perspective, of the total ingredients in a pack of Stevia in the Raw, 1/64 to 1/32 of a teaspoon would be pure stevia.
 
#8 ·
Hey Blue Girl,

I read that artificial sweeteners that are powdered can raise your BG. You are better off using either the small tablets (Splenda) or liquid sweetener (Sweet & Low). I'm trying to remember where I read it. I think Dr. Bernstein's "Diabetes Solution." I stopped using all powdered sweeteners. I try to keep some Splenda tablets with me at all times.
 
#11 · (Edited)
Powdered sweetners have an added anti-caking ingredient, usually dextrose (a corn sugar).

You can get powdered Stevia that has no added ingredients, but it is in a jar, not packets (which would have an anti-caking ingredient*). I use the NOW brand: Better Stevia. There are others, as well.

I also use Truvia - stevia and erythritol blend - has 2g sugar alcohols (erythritol) which don't raise BG

The liquid sweeteners usually don't raise BG in most people. That would be sucrulose, Sweet-n-low, liquid stevia.

*Stevia in the Raw - in packets: the amount of powdered pure stevia to equal the equivalent of 1 tsp sugar, which is how all the packaged sweeteners are formulated, is so minuscule (1/28 tsp) that SOMETHING has to be added to bulk it up so the consumer won't think it odd that there's so little in that packet.
 
#16 ·
If you see no improvements from cinnamon in about 2 months, then it's not helping your blood sugar at all. My BIL did benefit for awhile, but cinnamon is no longer effective for him. He still uses it though - in his coffee.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blue Girl
#17 ·
This is actually a great thread. I have never seen a conversation where so many have discussed problems with artificial sweeteners.

I have never been able to tolerate aspartame (half a soda will make me so sick I cannot function). I have tried all of them, Stevia in every form possible, Splenda and other manufactured sweeteners. Every single one of them causes severe gastrointestinal stress. Bloating is just one piece of it. I am better off using white sugar.

There is one sweetener that I have found which does work well for me. It is plant-based, high in fiber, low glycemic and has no aftertaste. I have not cooked with it yet, but they say it acts like real sugar. It contains no chicory root. The name of this is Swerve and it contains about five carbs per teaspoon. It is also available in a brown and confectioners formulation. It works for me and may be worth a try for you.
 
#18 ·
I have been hearing about Swerve lately. My local grocery store doesn't have it, so I may order some from Amazon.

The carbohydrates in Swerve come from the erythritol and oligosaccharides. Erythritol is somewhat of an anomaly in the carbohydrate world, since it’s non-caloric. Erythritol is absorbed in the small intestine and then eliminated by the body, so it’s never metabolized and can’t contribute calories.https://swervesweet.com/faqs
Still trying to decide about the carbs in it...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blue Girl
#20 ·
I use Swerve quite often to sweeten my lemon lime seltzer water or ice tea. In a 16 ounce glass I use one teaspoons at the most. At that level I have not seen any significant impact. I suppose if I used several teaspoons as some people may, I would have different results. I have gotten so used to not eating sweets that I don't like overly sweet things.

I have been using this to sweeten my chai pudding and am very happy with those results as well. For me, the main thing is that I can use it to sweeten things with less impact than regular sugar or honey and still it does not taste bad or cause me problems. In my opinion it is well worth buying a package and giving it a try. Everything else seems to have more negative impacts and long-term consequences.
 
#21 ·
I have used the stevia plant with no ill effects. I did buy some liquid sweetners but have not gotten up the nerve to try it. I'm not sure when I have hours I can sleep, it off. Maybe no time like the present. K so I tasted it, and nope on the stevia blend, it's a blend of erythritol and natural stevia leaflets a no from me. I'll stick with no sweetners, I still can't get that taste out of my mouth. ��
 
  • Like
Reactions: alamogirl
#22 ·
Stevia is a natural sweetener not artificial. Some people have a gene on their DNA that causes a bad after-taste with stevia. I'm not one with that gene, but I have the one that makes cilantro taste like soapy water.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blue Girl
#24 ·
Wait. WUT?

No cilantro? :surprise:

I would be miserable.

Of course, maybe not if it tasted like soap.
 
#23 ·
I will gladly trade you Stevia for cilantro. I know that Stevia is natural and that is why I have tried so many versions. I was willing to deal with the aftertaste, but it makes me sick like all the other 0 cal sweeteners. They don't all have the same exact effect, but none of them are worth eating something sweet. Like anything else in life, it all boils down to the value.
 
#26 ·
I use the powder, the liquid just didn't taste right. Maybe I should get a plant.
 
#28 ·
Even that might not help if you've got "the gene", unfortunately. However, I do find a difference between brands. KAL powder for me is way better tasting than all the others. I like it's taste better than sugar.

Although when faced with the choice between unsweetened cappuccino or lemonade and ANY brand of stevia, I'll take the latter without hesitation.

I've used the leaves. They work for teas or anything infused in hot liquid, but not so much for sweetening cream or labneh. I never tried them in cold liquids like lemonade, but I suspect that wouldn't work very well either.
 
#29 ·
I use KAL powder too.

I don't have the gene for stevia, I just didn't like the KAL liquid.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blue Girl
#33 ·
#35 ·
I think that's the first honest review of sweeteners I've ever seen that acknowledged that stevia is a natural and not an artificial sweetener.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cricket
#36 ·
I've been reading Dr. Bernstein's "Diabetes Solution." Maybe things have changed since his book was published, but his book states that liquid (Sweet n Low) or saccharin tablets are acceptable. Aspartame tablets, stevia, sucralose tablets and liquid Splenda are also acceptable.

I'm currently using Splenda tablets. I find them just easier to carry and use.
 
#38 ·
First, I appreciate the article. I might have missed it, but all diabetics should be aware that most of the artificial sugars can cause diarrhea when used in excess. I could never understand how folks thought stevia was a sweetener. All I taste is the bitter. I wonder if this is like cilantro - tastes like soap to me because I lack an enzyme.

Splenda comes in tablets? I did not know that. I will have to search. I go to many medical appointments with my family members and although they often provide free tea or coffee, they never provide artificial sugar so I just keep some packets in my purse. Tablets would be even easier.

My take on the artificial sugars for those of you trying to lose weight is that they often increase your temptation to eat stuff. Fewer calories, right?
 
#39 · (Edited)
I could never understand how folks thought stevia was a sweetener. All I taste is the bitter. I wonder if this is like cilantro - tastes like soap to me because I lack an enzyme.
Not an enzyme, but a gene (from what I've read). I apparently have the gene because I love the taste of Stevia. (I do not, however, like cilantro!)

most of the artificial sugars can cause diarrhea when used in excess
That would be most of the sugar alcohols (erythritol being the exception). I think I'm safe in saying that all sugar-free candies sold in stores contain malitol and/or sorbitol, which do cause intestinal upset.

I think most of the artificial sweeteners can be used in baking, except for aspartame which degrades when heated.
 
#42 ·
I'd rather reduce sugar intake than use artificial sweeteners. Sugar is something the body can use for energy; I don't know what our system does with chemical sweeteners.
I only use 1/4 tsp of sugar in my coffee. That is only one gram of carbs, not enough to be concerned about. Even if I used a whole teaspoon of sugar, that is only 4 gms. carbs. It's hard for me to believe that is unhealthy when a medium fruit such as an apple has 15 gms of sugar (yes, I realize fruit has other nutrients & fiber not found in sugar). Years ago, I tested several times after coffee with sugar - no rise in blood sugar. I suppose someone who wants to eat baked things like cake, cookies, etc. that call for large doses of sugar may want to use sugar substitutes, but I only eat those things on special holidays & have one bite or two.

For curiosity, I bought a jar of Splenda & it had such a bitter aftertaste, it's been untouched in my kitchen for 8 years. :smile2:
 
#43 ·
I'd rather reduce sugar intake than use artificial sweeteners. Sugar is something the body can use for energy; I don't know what our system does with chemical sweeteners.
I'm like you xring - for me personally artificial sweeteners are not a healthy option. If you look at the history of artificial sweeteners a lot of health issues have been identified with its use and I get the sense manufacturers are still trying to refine it somewhat.

I haven't had any artificial sweeteners in quite sometime - the impact they have on me is rather serious.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top