Anyone just start or starting soon?

[Lauren]

I just did day one today and was hoping there was a group of us that could work together!

[Jillian]

Why do you stay away from artificial sweeteners?

[Ninny41077]

Hi Jillian!

This is only my opinion, and I am not a health apostle trying to judge anyone, but I try - not always successfully ;) - to stay away from artificial sweeteners for the following reasons based on my experience:

1. They are supposed to trigger migraine, and my migraine rate improves considerably when I avoid them.

2. There have been numerous studies since the invention of artificial sweeteners which warn customers about their increasing cancer risks in large amounts. And I'd rather not shrug them off.

I have found that artificial sweeteners are even added to so-called "health-drinks", pickles, ketchup, light mayonaise salads, you name it. One or two light soft drinks might not harm me, or a little salad, but the overall amount of many small doses could.

Counting the foods with sweeteners in my diet would complicate it considerably and stress me more in my attempts to lose weight, and I found that keeping it simple is much more effective. So I rather like to watch it and eat something which is low-carb by nature. :)

3. They increase my appetite in the long run and, in comparison to water or water spiced up with a splash of natural apple or lemon juice, unsweetened tea, etc. they do not even make me feel good.

4. Julia's approach focuses on a healthy lifestyle and choosing the right healthy foods, and losing weight will become a side-effect. Artificial sweeteners do not get the whole picture: as a commodity product, they may be low in calories and avoid weight gain, but they only focus on counting calories, and, in my opinion, neither on your overall health nor your well-being.

Sorry for such a long answer, but I wanted to give you all my reasons.

Love,

Nina

[Trish The Fish]

Hi,
Thanks for your comments.
Yes. it must be a LIFESTYLE CHANGE and/or DIET CHANGE (the word "diet" here is being used in the context of what a person eats... not something one does for a while to lose weight). Many "skinny people" have a diet... of healthy foods on a regular basis!

I have found a modified Atkins approach helps me "kick weight loss into high gear". But I don't find that eating fats and low carbs on a regular basis is healthy. I do agree that I will be focusing on low-glycemic carbs. Fiber is only found in carbs. And I do think fiber is very important for the body. My personal experience is that I "overdo" the bad stuff. I tend to believe in Julia's idea of "banning" a substance a person is addicted to.... yet I haven't been successful at it. I have a VERY HARD time eating just a little (proper amount) of sugar (cake, pie, ice cream, candy, et). I can eat proper quantities of healthy foods MUCH EASIER. It takes me about 3 weeks of eating no sugar to get rid of my sugar cravings / addiction.

Yes, I've discovered that artificial sweeteners are not a good idea.
I am strongly against aspartame. It is even illegal due to it's toxicity l in countries like Australia. I'm not convinced that Splenda and other chemical sweeteners are good for you, either. What do you think about Stevia (natural plant sweetener)?

I would say all my weight is due to my sugar addiction.
I'd like to eat the recommended vegetables and fruits daily and also ingest adequate protein.

Good Luck to both of us with our challenges with food.