Splenda pt 2

chynabear
chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I have looked at natural alternatives and have for the most part followed. I purchased some fructose from the health food store when I was in TX. I have started drinking water and green tea occasionally (which is one thing I can't stand without some sweetener) and once-in-a-blue-moon something else. I have essentially stopped sweetening and buttering & salting etc. everything.

I guess I should be more specific in my asking about splenda. As far as cooking what is the best alternative to sugar? I tried to make some banana bread using honey and it was a huge failure. Also, what about things such as yogurt that has great probiotics & stuff for your gut. Most yogurt is made with some sugar in it. Is it better to go with a "Light" yogurt with lower g of sugar or better to choose something like blue bunny that uses splenda?

Dr. Quillin discusses bringing down your sugar consumption drastically, but says nothing towards eliminating it (unless I totally missed it). From what I can find, he doesn't really say much about Splenda (and nothing negative that I can think of). I think he even goes as far as mentioning that it appears safe but I'll have to find where it says that before I can say for sure.

Of course, I try very hard to limit all sugar but sometimes you just can't help it. I even started making my own bread and you have to have sugar (or something) to make the yeast rise.

What do you use?

Thanks for the discussion and opinions.

Patricia

Comments

  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    Hi Patricia,

    Gosh, where to begin. You are great to be asking questions. All of this will probably be an evolution -- so no worries if you take it in steps. To change your baking, I suggest Laurel's Kitchen cookbook as a start. I would also do a lot of experimenting -- with flours (whole wheat, rye, soy, corn.....) and with sweeteners -- honey, raw sugar, barley malt syrup and rice syrup; the last two I don't know that much about. If you really want to get into this, you will probably start buying things plain -- and sweetening them yourself. Plain yogurt has no sugar or sweetener. Plain soymilk is sweetened; one must buy unsweetened to have a pure product. For salting, you can buy sea salt; it is very good tasting (milder with more of a mineral flavor). I would buy unsalted butter and use sea salt. If at all possible, I would use natural alternatives for sweetening. If I were you, I would really begin to look at labels; the more ingredients, the greater chance of junk being prewsent. I am lucky. I have worked in the restaurant business for years, so I am used to NO prepared or preservative-driven foods; mayonaise is made to order for the guest. Needless to say, my thoughts and habits are really patterned (but I still have colon cancer - so, go figure!)
    I am even luckier to work for a chef who is dedicated to everything being organic or naturally-grown. We have our own farm!! Okay, back to the posting, You are a wonder to make your own breads; your house must smell heavenly! If you cannot, there are very good artisan bakers who deliver daily to grocery stores. They normally use excellent ingredients. I have gone off of the sweetener subject, but I think that once you begin to look into Splenda....you might broaden your eating/cooking/baking changes. Believe me, it will be worth it. And the other thing is this: with all of the research I do, the bottom-line is that a plant-based diet with loads of fruits and vegetables and whole grains is key. i look for the best products available. But, I am human. I still eat chocolate - but the poorer brands have added junk. So I buy bittersweet (less sugar) by a great producer (Valrhona is one).....and I enjoy it. If you have a weakness, go for it - just in smaller quantities. How does that sound? Take care and all the best - Maura
    BTW - chemo ruins all of our natural flora and yogurt may not replace all of it; you may want to shop for a good probiotic supplement.
  • chynabear
    chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
    Thanks, Maura. Actually, I'm glad that you went off of the subject. You added some great thoughts to my process.

    Since coming to this board sometime in the beginning of July, I have drastically changed the way I (and my family) eat. After I finished chemo (in mid-April) I thought I was just going to move on with my life. Wrong! I was very depressed after finishing chemo and I cried myself to sleep most nights because I was so scared. That was if I could even find sleep. I had little energy and still felt bad. I began to recognize that I was scared because off of chemo I felt vulnerable and thought I wasn't fighting the cancer anymore and it was just going to come back. I found this board and among other things, it has taught me that I can still fight through nutrition (and excercise). I picked up "Beating Cancer with Nutrition" and my journey to better eating was started. I owe a lot to you, and scouty, and I'm sure I'm missing a few and I am very sorry. I started with the main stuff that I KNEW was either off limits or limited quantities and added lots fresh fruits and veggies. I even started juicing daily although I purchased a centrifuge and not a masticating juicer because I didn't know any better at the time. It still does a very good job, though.

    I have started reading labels and eliminating things with anything hydrogenated or with sugar and a few other things. I'm not all positive on all of the labels, but it's a start.

    I now shop primarily in the produce section. It's amazing that I used to feel the need to wander down every isle and scoop product after product off of the shelf into my cart and now I avoid it for the most part. Also, I try to use fresh herbs instead of the typical spices. As for salt, we've always used sea salt so that isn't a big change.

    Now, I've gone off of subject! I live in a small town now and it is very difficult to buy organic fruits and veggies, but I do my best. Also, it's hard to change the budjet to reflect health food stores. Mainly, I have had trouble trying to figure out what to use that (a) works well in baking and (b) isn't horribly expensive to purchase.

    I didn't realize that plain yogurt isn't sweetened. I guess I always look at the fruit yogurts. How easy it would be to just add your own fruit.

    Sorry for the rambling message. It's been a long day. :o)

    Patricia
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    chynabear said:

    Thanks, Maura. Actually, I'm glad that you went off of the subject. You added some great thoughts to my process.

    Since coming to this board sometime in the beginning of July, I have drastically changed the way I (and my family) eat. After I finished chemo (in mid-April) I thought I was just going to move on with my life. Wrong! I was very depressed after finishing chemo and I cried myself to sleep most nights because I was so scared. That was if I could even find sleep. I had little energy and still felt bad. I began to recognize that I was scared because off of chemo I felt vulnerable and thought I wasn't fighting the cancer anymore and it was just going to come back. I found this board and among other things, it has taught me that I can still fight through nutrition (and excercise). I picked up "Beating Cancer with Nutrition" and my journey to better eating was started. I owe a lot to you, and scouty, and I'm sure I'm missing a few and I am very sorry. I started with the main stuff that I KNEW was either off limits or limited quantities and added lots fresh fruits and veggies. I even started juicing daily although I purchased a centrifuge and not a masticating juicer because I didn't know any better at the time. It still does a very good job, though.

    I have started reading labels and eliminating things with anything hydrogenated or with sugar and a few other things. I'm not all positive on all of the labels, but it's a start.

    I now shop primarily in the produce section. It's amazing that I used to feel the need to wander down every isle and scoop product after product off of the shelf into my cart and now I avoid it for the most part. Also, I try to use fresh herbs instead of the typical spices. As for salt, we've always used sea salt so that isn't a big change.

    Now, I've gone off of subject! I live in a small town now and it is very difficult to buy organic fruits and veggies, but I do my best. Also, it's hard to change the budjet to reflect health food stores. Mainly, I have had trouble trying to figure out what to use that (a) works well in baking and (b) isn't horribly expensive to purchase.

    I didn't realize that plain yogurt isn't sweetened. I guess I always look at the fruit yogurts. How easy it would be to just add your own fruit.

    Sorry for the rambling message. It's been a long day. :o)

    Patricia

    So thrilled that you are excited about making changes. I am sure that everything you did helped you recover from chemo more rapidly. Eating really well can be expensive......adding supplements on top of that and we are spending A LOT on our own care. But it is also incredibly empowering - and addictive!!
    My juicer was a gift and it isn't so hot....but it will be fine for a little while. I read or heard a great statement recently about our diets: that a human's intestine is really long because it is meant for a predominantly plant-based diet. Animals with a shorter intestine (I think a cat was mentioned) can digest large quantities of meat much better. I found it interesting and am really trying to use it as a guide in planning my meals. And I doubt that having part of the intestine resected by our cancer gives us a break!
    Glad I could help out with the yogurt info; oddly, it (the brand) is one of the only things I buy that is non-organic.....but it is milder and tastes better than any brand I have found. My only consolation is that I buy nonfat - and the hormones/pesticides normally cling to the fat-portion.....so I'll hope for the best. If you come across any good info, could you please post it? I know I would love it, and I am sure others would as well. All the best - Maura
    Haven't figured out the insomnia thing yet......for me, the health-food store remedies have been sorta hit 'n miss.....more miss
    This is really off the subject, but I was using alpha-lipoic acid to cleanse/protect my liver after chemo, and I recently ran out. Running out of it coincided with my neuropathy coming back like MAD. I just did a yahoo search and it is listed as a great remedy - and now, I certainly confirm it. My hands and feet are really bothing me; I'm off for more in the am. Take care.
  • Doreen65
    Doreen65 Member Posts: 52
    Patricia, Hi I'm glad you brought up this subject and I may not be of much help but we seem to think alike on this sugar subject. I too finished up my chemo in mid April and you described me to a T in how you felt also after coming off chemo. I am trying so hard to stick to this way of eating and sometimes it really depresses me and that is not a good thing either. Let me explain.... I don't always have the stuff in the house I feel I should eat. On days when I don't get to juice I feel so quilty because I know I should have done it and I didn't. We are building a house and are soooo busy so we have been getting take-outs alot and when asked what I want I don't ever know what to say. Its really hard. As far as the sugar thing goes I just try to use or eat very little. I was wondering certain things myself like what is better. Domino's now has an organic sugar or is Sugar in the raw better????? Juices have sugars too and I try to buy organic juices. I do get very upset trying to make sure I always am eating the right stuff its hard. Like you said its very expensive too. Organic orange juice here is 5.89 ... I'm sorry I haven't answered your question either but I wouldn't use Splenda at all. Just lifting up the bag in the Walmart aisle the bag is way too light and airy that worries me. :o) Thanks for letting me vent... Doreen ~
  • chynabear
    chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
    Doreen65 said:

    Patricia, Hi I'm glad you brought up this subject and I may not be of much help but we seem to think alike on this sugar subject. I too finished up my chemo in mid April and you described me to a T in how you felt also after coming off chemo. I am trying so hard to stick to this way of eating and sometimes it really depresses me and that is not a good thing either. Let me explain.... I don't always have the stuff in the house I feel I should eat. On days when I don't get to juice I feel so quilty because I know I should have done it and I didn't. We are building a house and are soooo busy so we have been getting take-outs alot and when asked what I want I don't ever know what to say. Its really hard. As far as the sugar thing goes I just try to use or eat very little. I was wondering certain things myself like what is better. Domino's now has an organic sugar or is Sugar in the raw better????? Juices have sugars too and I try to buy organic juices. I do get very upset trying to make sure I always am eating the right stuff its hard. Like you said its very expensive too. Organic orange juice here is 5.89 ... I'm sorry I haven't answered your question either but I wouldn't use Splenda at all. Just lifting up the bag in the Walmart aisle the bag is way too light and airy that worries me. :o) Thanks for letting me vent... Doreen ~

    Doreen, I'm not worried at all about your going off of subject. It gives us a way to vent/converse and learn.

    We aren't building a house, but we (I) are doing major and minor repairs and stuff to make it "ours". Time, money and convenience are most of the causes for our poor eating habits. Just because you eat take-out doesn't mean you can't eat something healthy. For example, you can choose a broiled fish and a mixed veggie or their veggie of the night. Finish off with a piece of fruit and you're not doing too bad. Even going to McDonalds you can eat decent. They have broiled chicken breast sandwiches on a wheat bun. avoid the fries and order their fruit and nut salad and have water instead of soda and you still don't have to beat yourself up about how you ate. Is it the "BEST"? Maybe not. But, it's a lot better than what you could have had. Another thing is to take half of it home. Eat smaller portions of the meats and more of the veggies.

    Another option is choosing to have eating come first and allow yourself 30-40 minutes to prepare a healthy meal at least most of the time. Cook with a pressure cooker or crock pot and your time cooking is reduced. Since this diet change, my pressure cooker has become my favorite kitchen item. With minimal preparations, you can have a decent meal on the table in a very short amount of time.

    Also, keep in mind that you are not going to change over night. Make small changes so as not to get overwhelmed. Start stocking your house with healthy fruits and veggies and no empty calories and you won't be near as tempted to choose the bad stuff. Also, there are some great recipies out there that allow you to make nutritious desserts and snacks and indulge once in a while without all of the guilt.

    It is very hard in the beginning to change your diet and I know I still have a lot to learn. I read that it takes three weeks to become used to a new diet. Feeling guilty and feeling bad about how you eat isn't going to help you either. Reading a little bit each day in my Nutrition books helps keep me motivated. Not to mention that the pants that were tight in July are now falling off of me.

    Patricia
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    Doreen65 said:

    Patricia, Hi I'm glad you brought up this subject and I may not be of much help but we seem to think alike on this sugar subject. I too finished up my chemo in mid April and you described me to a T in how you felt also after coming off chemo. I am trying so hard to stick to this way of eating and sometimes it really depresses me and that is not a good thing either. Let me explain.... I don't always have the stuff in the house I feel I should eat. On days when I don't get to juice I feel so quilty because I know I should have done it and I didn't. We are building a house and are soooo busy so we have been getting take-outs alot and when asked what I want I don't ever know what to say. Its really hard. As far as the sugar thing goes I just try to use or eat very little. I was wondering certain things myself like what is better. Domino's now has an organic sugar or is Sugar in the raw better????? Juices have sugars too and I try to buy organic juices. I do get very upset trying to make sure I always am eating the right stuff its hard. Like you said its very expensive too. Organic orange juice here is 5.89 ... I'm sorry I haven't answered your question either but I wouldn't use Splenda at all. Just lifting up the bag in the Walmart aisle the bag is way too light and airy that worries me. :o) Thanks for letting me vent... Doreen ~

    Hi Doreen,
    You sound busy and stressed; you also sound like you are really trying to make changes. But, we don't have to be perfect every day. Maybe some weeks you will juice only every other day....better than before, right? Maybe a couple times per week, your take-out won't be the absolute best thing you could have put in your mouth; but you can make up for it by eating really well for the next couple of days. And with each take-out you can save a menu and start to choose things which might be healthier -- or ask for changes/substitutions. Whatever effort you make is wonderful. Every day you are making an effort to do the best you can, so don't beat yourself up. Each week you might think about having a few more things in the house which will be healthier. Hang in there and all the best with building your home. What a wonderful accomplishment! Take care - Maura
    With organic vs raw sugar, the organic applies to pesticides used on the cane/beet plant -- not the level of refinement of the product. The raw is less refined (sometimes called turbanado - sp).
  • bkieffe
    bkieffe Member Posts: 2
    Have you ever thought of buying Stevia. It's a natural plant based sweetner. I've been using it for about a year now and my family doesn't even know it. It works in cooking or just to sweeten up something. It comes in a liquid and powder. I usually buy it at any natural food coop or grocery store.

    Brenda
  • chynabear
    chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
    bkieffe said:

    Have you ever thought of buying Stevia. It's a natural plant based sweetner. I've been using it for about a year now and my family doesn't even know it. It works in cooking or just to sweeten up something. It comes in a liquid and powder. I usually buy it at any natural food coop or grocery store.

    Brenda

    No, I don't think I saw that one as an alternative. I'm going to have to look for it. The closest natural food store is 40 miles away (one way) but I'm going to check the grocery stores for it. Thanks for the suggestion.
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    Hi Patricia,

    Sorry if I repeat anything anyone else has said. I only have a minute and no time to read everyone's replies.

    I have not had a snitch of sugar for 23+ years. You REALLY don''t need it in anything. I have baked bread, banana and otherwise in all these years. In fact I have a superb recipe for banana bread!! :-)

    For bread I use either honey or barley malt. Sometimes even rice syrup but usually the honey. It all technically turns into "sugar" in your system but it's about the insulin response. Some are slower on the rise but sugar shoots your blood sugar up right now! This perpetuates an elevating insulin level creating inflammation which results in diseases ie cancer. I'm not doing a great job explaining this.

    As you cut down on the sugar you will find your taste buds will change.

    You will find sugar in everything so I suggest you frequent a co-op or Whole Foods. But even there you have to read the labels and you find cane juice in everything. (dang) but you can find more alternative items with no sugar, no hydrogenated oils, and with whole grains.

    You can find plain dannon yogurt with no sweetener (get it for my diabetic hubby) at a regular grocery store, and of course organic is best. You can add your own fruit and a little honey or maple syrup if you really must have the sweet. But getting to the point where you don't have to sweeten everything is really attainable. Honestly. Since I have been doing it since I was 20 years old.

    If you want to salt stuff try Braggs Amino Acids.

    If you do a search on Dr. Mercola's website you may find some good info (research) on Splenda.

    I really believe that Splenda will be like Nutra-Sweet (aspartame--which can cause mental retardation) and will be found some day to be as insidious.

    As for bread, I love sprouted bread called Ezekial. No sweetener. and you can get it salt free too.

    hope this helps.

    peace, emily
  • chynabear
    chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
    2bhealed said:

    Hi Patricia,

    Sorry if I repeat anything anyone else has said. I only have a minute and no time to read everyone's replies.

    I have not had a snitch of sugar for 23+ years. You REALLY don''t need it in anything. I have baked bread, banana and otherwise in all these years. In fact I have a superb recipe for banana bread!! :-)

    For bread I use either honey or barley malt. Sometimes even rice syrup but usually the honey. It all technically turns into "sugar" in your system but it's about the insulin response. Some are slower on the rise but sugar shoots your blood sugar up right now! This perpetuates an elevating insulin level creating inflammation which results in diseases ie cancer. I'm not doing a great job explaining this.

    As you cut down on the sugar you will find your taste buds will change.

    You will find sugar in everything so I suggest you frequent a co-op or Whole Foods. But even there you have to read the labels and you find cane juice in everything. (dang) but you can find more alternative items with no sugar, no hydrogenated oils, and with whole grains.

    You can find plain dannon yogurt with no sweetener (get it for my diabetic hubby) at a regular grocery store, and of course organic is best. You can add your own fruit and a little honey or maple syrup if you really must have the sweet. But getting to the point where you don't have to sweeten everything is really attainable. Honestly. Since I have been doing it since I was 20 years old.

    If you want to salt stuff try Braggs Amino Acids.

    If you do a search on Dr. Mercola's website you may find some good info (research) on Splenda.

    I really believe that Splenda will be like Nutra-Sweet (aspartame--which can cause mental retardation) and will be found some day to be as insidious.

    As for bread, I love sprouted bread called Ezekial. No sweetener. and you can get it salt free too.

    hope this helps.

    peace, emily

    Emily, thanks for the great response. I really don't like sweet all that much but I am also trying to help my family make changes.

    Would you mind sharing your recipe for banana bread? I would love to try it. Also, any recipe for other bread would be nice too if you have it and want to share.

    Thanks guys. This helps a lot.

    Patricia
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  • midnte0708
    midnte0708 Member Posts: 166
    My boss beat his kidney cancer (stage 4) through strict diet and different herbs and alternative treatments. He is a multi-millionaire and ate only strict macrobiotic meals for several years. Cut out all his old diets of red meats, wines,breads, sugars, etc...
    (he also was lucky to have his macrobiotic meals prepared by different chefs everywhere he went and traveled).
    Anyway my point is that he researched EVERY alternative treatment and ended up to my amazement NED. He ONLY uses a natural sugar called XYLETOL, he didn't start using ANY sugar till at least a year or so after NED dianosis though.
    Watching him the past few years consult with mayo docs, alternative med docs, he traveled the globe, etc....and took all kinds of herbs and had all kinds of treatments...anyway he wouldn't take a thing in his body now if he thought it wasn't a completely natural alternative.
    I personally only tried it once but there was no difference to me and everyone in my office thought there was not much differnce in taste.
    Not sure where they got it but I'd look in a health food store or internet. you can bake with it and use it like regular sugar.
    Sue