I know you are not going to like this...........but..........

I am really starting to think that artificial sweetners (specifically Splenda) are causing me to crave, crave, crave!

I am sure there are people that can handle them but I am not one of them. I have noticed it before but today was a big eye opener for me. I started to journal everything I put in my mouth and I was fine until about 2:00 pm after I had a very large glass of Orange classic Crystal Light. I could not believe how strong the urge to find something salty/sweet to eat was at that time. I opted to eat a peach and a slice of reduced fat swiss cheese and that seemed to help. I then poured the rest of the CL down the drain. That must have mega doses of splenda in it. I made a cup of coffee with 1/2 & 1/2 and 2 equals. I decreased that from 3 packs to 2. I am sure that you girls that went to the beach that weekend noticed how much Splenda I used in ice tea, coffee, etc.

I know it is going to be nearly impossible to do but I must start weaning myself off this crap. I need to just drink lemon water and decaf ice tea w/lemon...not to even mention all the other products I use that have Splenda in them.

Is there any desserts in the whole wide world that don't have sugar or artificial sweetners in them?               

Gail,

I am sorry you are going through that.   I haven't noticed that I go through that.  I have noticed that if I eat carbs it will call on more carbs.  Instead of snacking on just the fruit and low fat cheese, plan on something higher in protein.  That will help the craving for carbs. 

I use splenda and I have not noticed that I crave sweet stuff.  What did you eat befor eyou had the CL?

Wishing you all the best. 

Can you go with something more natural than the equal. Maybe stevia?

Gail,

there are lots of folks that Splenda makes them crave  you are not alone.

try weaning off of it and see if it helps.

also from experience try pairing it with fat and protein (like half and half in the coffee) or string cheese.... that sort of thing.

Gail,

I've heard of this before and it does that to some people,  unfortunately!  Just thought I'd let you know that Crystal Light is made with Aspartame (Equal) and not Splenda though.  Another newer sweetner is Truvia which is mostly erythritol (a sugar alcohol that is much gentler on the system than other sugar alcohols, found in grapes and pears) and Rubiana (extracted from the stevia leaf).  Supposedly all natural but you never know!

Heather

Just an FYI,  stevia is related to ragweed so if a person has ragweed allergies they may want to avoid stevia.

Gail, I've long suspected that artificial sweetners have something to do with cravings and weight gain.  I've been addicted to Diet Pepsi for 20 years now and THAT is when I really started gaining my weight.  I was up to 199 in high school, got down to 170 with WW and kept it off for years, but looking back it was in 1991 when I started drinking diet soda, and that's when my weight kept on gaining. 

Gail you are on the money. My nut has told me that Splenda is really bad for you and besides the cravings when you use it once it gets in your body it turns into formaldehyde. Not good. She advised Stevia or just try to drink water with fresh fruit. She also suggested Tea with lemon only. This is a merry go round and we are trapped and can't get off...

                                                                                            Julie

Gail:

I understand the artificial sweetener addiction, When I was going to nutritional classes the nutritionist made it clear that there is scientific proof that they trigger hunger and cravings.
I personally don't use them because I don't like the after taste; plus being a diabetic now I am staying away from processed sugar as much as I can.

I am glad your weaning your self off, going cold turkey could sabotage things and make your behavior rebound.

As far as sugar free deserts I will have to research that one.  If I find any I will pass them along.

ciao

Zells_lori

Formaldehyde?  Sheesh - I am disappointed and excited at the same time.  LOL

1.  I'm disappointed because wrinkles are coming around which means I'm not being "preserved".
2.  I'm excited because if my husband ever thought of poisoning me, I'd still live through it.  ROFLMAO!

I thought the formaldehyde thing was a myth?