It’s no secret what my opinion is regarding artificial sweeteners – I DO NOT LIKE THEM!

Sorry, I just don’t.

I know there are dietitians, nutritionists, personal trainers and doctors who give the thumbs up to those little pink and blue sugar packets – I’m just not one of them.

The International Journal of Obesity reports binge eating can actually increase after ingesting aspartame (NutraSweet). Independent research studies have linked aspartame to fibromyalia symptoms, brain tumors, memory loss, lymphoma, leukemia, kidney and peripheral nerve cancer.

Aspartame is a funky (that’s a Jolene science term chemically altered molecule. Ice cream and packaged food, like cookies, that contain aspartame have a disclaimer at the end of the ingredient paragraph; it says “caution may cause a laxative effect.” That’s the body’s way of saying this does NOT resemble food in any way, shape, or form, GET RID OF IT NOW!

Aspartame is not the only artificial sweetener I caution people about. Acesulfame Potassium (Acesulfame K) is another one that I don’t like. You should just assume by now if it is a chemical, preservative, altered molecule (trans-fat), or words that you can not pronounce, I’m not keen on eating it! Print this list of unacceptable ingredients found in packaged foods and take it with you next time you go to the grocery store.

I often see Acesulfame Potassium in sugar-free/low-fat yogurts, commercial protein powders, energy drinks, flavored waters, ice cream etc.

According to the Weston Price Foundation:

“Acesulfame K is 200 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar). The body is unable to metabolize this sweetener.I know, I know, I can hear you saying, “What can I eat? There seems to be a problem with everything, so does it really matter?” I say, it does matter. Eat the real thing! Gasp, Do I mean sugar? Yes, I do.

A German chemist, Karl Clauss, discovered Acesulfame K when he was working with derivatives of acetoacetic acid. The FDA gave a partial green light for its use as a tabletop sweetener and as an ingredient in baked goods, frozen desserts, alcoholic beverages and candies. However, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) concluded that the testing had ignored problematic data.

Based on these objections, in 1996 CSPI urged the FDA to reconsider its position on the new sweetener, but two years later the FDA approved acesulfame-K for all other general sweetening purposes. As soon as it was approved, Pepsi announced that it would be used in a new drink, Pepsi One.

In spite of the FDA go-ahead, CSPI and a handful of independent scientists maintain their objections to acesulfame-K, citing inadequate testing and the fact that previous tests suggest serious problems, including possible carcinogenicity. As with saccharin, the prudent consumer would be wise to seek out better options.”

If it’s a choice between sugar and artificial sweetener you are much better off with actual sugar. Now don’t go crazy and eat so much sugar that your eyes pop out of your head. Sugar intake should be a very small portion of your diet (if any at all) but artificial sweeteners should be totally avoided. In my opinion.

On Wednesday (just in time for Thanksgiving) I will post some sugar options that are slightly better than white refined table sugar and immensely better than artificial sugars …stay tuned!

In the meantime here is the complete list of artificial sweeteners to avoid.