Artificial Sweeteners

Has anyone else heard that artificial sweeteners can cause hunger? I know that I do drink decaf tea all day long, and along with it I drink Sweet-N-Low, and I have found that I do get hungry quite often. Not sure if it is truly the artifical sweeteners, or the fact that I am a bad girl and drink excessively with my meals (something I am going to work on beginning NOW).... Any help would be appreciated Connie

Our bariatric nurse told us that artificial sweeteners cause both hunger and a desire for carbs. She encourages us not to use them. Based on my eating habits lately, I think she might be right. So I'm trying to wean myself off of them. Instead of making regular decaf tea (in which I like a sweetener), I've started using an herbal tea for my sun tea that has a sweet flavor and doesn't need sweetener. Good luck! Deb

I don't know about Sweet 'n Low, never touch the stuff if I can help it because of the bad aftertaste. However, I found that aspartame (Equal) really does a number on me, I not only feel hungry when I consume it, I also crave carbs. Splenda (sucralose) sweetened products do not have that affect on me, so I tend to look for those and bypass the aspartame. I first noticed this after WLS when I would drink Crystal Light, so I gave that up. I was pleased to see that recently, some Crystal Light now has Splenda in it. I never knew this before WLS, but with as many diet sodas as I used to drink (at least 3 or 4 a day), it is no wonder I was hungry all the time. I still do not drink diet sodas, even the new ones with Splenda, as the carbonation bothers me. Carole

You know I drink tea with Equal and seems like I have these problems as well...I am going to switch to Splenda and see if this does not help...also I drink with my meals and I am going to work on this as well.... Best of Luck to All...Sonya Brooke

My NUT has always preached to us to not use aspertane (sp?)... it causes carb cravings,,,, so,,, I stay away from that,, but I do have crystal light from time to time,,, oh she also says caffeine causes dehydration,, but I do no listen on that one,,,,, Christy

The South Beach doctor discourages the use of artificial sweetners and claims that it causes cravings. I also read somewhere that it cause weight loss to stall.