So, today I was reading some posts on a friends facebook and stumbled across an article about how dangerous high fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners are to our bodies. While I am all for being as natural as possible, I do love my soda, diet soda. So, I did some research on sucralose, stevia and high fructose corn syrup and found very conflicting information. On either side there are as many pros as there are cons. One of the gals I work with has a son in biochem at Drake and she said that he is to the point where he is scared to eat a lot of things because of what it does to our body. I admit, I do read labels and if something contains a lot of things that I can't pronounce, then I don't need it. The thought of high fructose corn syrup having such adverse affects on our bodies never really crossed my mind. Now in reading about artificial sweeteners and how they affect our appetites and cause us to overeat.......I'm in a tailspin to say the least! If I am understanding things correctly then using an artificial sweetener such as splenda or aspartame in place of sugar in an attempt to lose weight will only cause you to eat more, albeit unintentionally, thus gaining weight due to uncontrolled satiety! Please help me understand this and if I am getting this right. I want to wrap my head around this and make the best possible choices before it is too late to establish different eating patterns for my family. It's so hard to fathom that those who stand so much to gain from us as consumers would try to murder us. I see no sense in that. HELP!!!
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It truly is terrifying that the food industry seems out to get us. I have found a couple of different sources to be really helpful in learning more about sugar and sugar substitutes. Two of the best books I have read on the subject - Sugar Blues and Natural Cures 'They' Don't Want You To Know About. The first is short and sweet, the second is long and hard to read. I have both if you are interested in borrowing them. My favorite blog to follow is 'My Years Without' http://myyearwithout.blogspot.com/ This woman is such an inspiration, and she is a really thorough researcher. you can read more about all different types of sweeteners and sugar substitutes on her blog.
ReplyDeleteAre sugar substitutes good for you? Some research shows probably not. But then, neither is plain old cane sugar (or any other sugar for that matter) in mass quantities. However, God did MAKE sugar! It's in the fruits we eat for one thing, & He told Adam and Eve they could eat the fruit of "any tree in the Garden" (except for the obvious one). In addition, sugar is basically what our body breaks every nutritional substance down into for energy, so we know we need it to survive too. What's the point? MODERATION. If you have a Diet Coke/Pepsi or, heaven forbid, a regular Coke/Pepsi every once in a while, you are not going to die one day sooner than what the Lord has already planned for you. It's up to you to make it EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE for your health's sake.
ReplyDeleteTry to keep your perspective looking upward! It's too easy to get caught up in all the nutrition hype and to be swept to and fro by every new research study on the subject. It is better to look at Scripture, which tells us everything is acceptable to eat, and let the Holy Spirit guide you in the food choices you make. Be realistic for your family & what you can afford too! Use that beautiful brain God put between your two lovely ears. :)