Splenda vs. Sugar

dougz · 04-18-2009, 11:36 PM

I see this in place of sugar alot..

Isn't sugar at least natural, whereas who knows what this Slenda is...

Thoughts?

3DHouseOfBeef · 04-19-2009, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougz

I see this in place of sugar alot..

Isn't sugar at least natural, whereas who knows what this Slenda is...

Thoughts?

The internet knows what Splenda is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucralose

Sections 5 and 6 should address your concerns.

crupiea · 04-19-2009, 09:44 AM

I agree with you, how did sugar get such a bad rap and a chemical become the preferred substance?

DaddyR · 04-19-2009, 10:01 AM

Sugar is a chemical too. "Sugar" is the chemical sucrose, the chemical α-D-glucopyranosyl- (1↔2)-β-D-fructofuranoside to be precise, which is extracted from sugar cane and other sources by certain chemical processes.

Sucralose is just a different chemical, produced by taking sugar and replacing three hydoxyl groups with chlorine.

As a degreed chemist, I am duty-bound to point out that everything "natural" is made up of chemicals.

In fact, sometimes "natural" products may actually contain toxic impurities that may make them MORE dangerous than those produced by more artificial means in a nice clean sterile laboratory.

dougz · 04-19-2009, 10:37 AM

Chorine??

Nice..

Well, I guess we get enough chlorine in salt.. LOL

Beefcupcake · 04-19-2009, 11:26 AM

You can always use stevia or erythritol.

Samkon · 04-19-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beefcupcake

You can always use stevia or erythritol.

Yup stevia is natural!

Wildtim · 04-19-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyR

Sugar is a chemical too. "Sugar" is the chemical sucrose, the chemical α-D-glucopyranosyl- (1↔2)-β-D-fructofuranoside to be precise, which is extracted from sugar cane and other sources by certain chemical processes.

Sucralose is just a different chemical, produced by taking sugar and replacing three hydoxyl groups with chlorine.

As a degreed chemist, I am duty-bound to point out that everything "natural" is made up of chemicals.

In fact, sometimes "natural" products may actually contain toxic impurities that may make them MORE dangerous than those produced by more artificial means in a nice clean sterile laboratory.

I thought you got sugar by pressing the cane, or beet and then crystallizing the solids out of the juice, at least I though this was the old fashioned way to do it.

freebirdmac · 04-19-2009, 11:38 AM

I tried 100% stevia and did not like the aftertaste. I'll stay with sugar. All of the other alternatives taste nasty and cause me to react to the chemicals.

danow · 04-19-2009, 11:45 AM

I used splenda exclusively for awhile. Now I figure if I stay away all of the processed foods loaded with sugar, I can use real sugar when I want to sweeten something up.

bebeklein · 04-19-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebirdmac

I tried 100% stevia and did not like the aftertaste. I'll stay with sugar. All of the other alternatives taste nasty and cause me to react to the chemicals.

It was probably the brand - NOW and Sweet Leaf has a bitter aftertaste.

http://www.nunaturals.com/products/stevia.html

Try NuNaturals it's the white stevia which isn't bitter. Depending on the state, its at WF and I've found it at GNC.

My girlfriend had given up on stevia too until I recommended this one to her and she was hooked.

Coach_P · 04-19-2009, 12:44 PM

The benefit of Splenda, and the like, is that it is a zero-calorie product. The chemical in poison ivy is natural, like sugar, but it isn't a substitute for aftershave.

adguy · 04-19-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougz

I see this in place of sugar alot..

Isn't sugar at least natural, whereas who knows what this Slenda is...

Thoughts?

From what I understand Splenda is chemically altered sugar. The debate is that is this alteration bad for you or not. Here is a link to the nutritional info and ingredients in Splenda. Notice 1 gram serving size of Splenda contains 1 gram of sugar.

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/sweets/9252/2

Redserpent · 04-19-2009, 01:17 PM

I was going to go over to the splenda camp but then I found out the price was almost 3 times as much as sugar for only 75g!!! I can get 1kg of sugar for 94p. So I'm staying with sugar.

Red

RCII · 04-19-2009, 01:22 PM

I use Equal, never did like Splenda.

DougL · 04-19-2009, 04:26 PM

I have been using Splenda for about 12 years now, getting it from the internet before it was available in the States. It has helped me satisfy my sweet tooth while successfully managing my weight. I have not had any negative effects from the Splenda at all. Chlorine is widely used to purify your water and used in other food processing as well. It has been exhaustively researched and in proper amounts is harmless. Like any natural or processed food, too much will likely cause some type of negative effect.

freebirdmac · 04-19-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bebeklein

It was probably the brand - NOW and Sweet Leaf has a bitter aftertaste.

http://www.nunaturals.com/products/stevia.html

Try NuNaturals it's the white stevia which isn't bitter. Depending on the state, its at WF and I've found it at GNC.

My girlfriend had given up on stevia too until I recommended this one to her and she was hooked.

It was Trader Joe's and it was not bitter. It just left an aftertaste I didn't care for. I'm fine with sugar. Much more pleasant sweetener.

MT_Pawkits · 04-19-2009, 05:00 PM

Sugar got me this far, think I'll stick with it.

DaddyR · 04-19-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samkon

Yup stevia is natural!

And weakly mutagenic, and has shown possible reproductive toxicity to both males and females. "Natural" doesn't automatically equate to "safe" (nor does one or a handful of toxic effects automatically equate to "unsafe" for that matter).

"Safe" is a relative, subjective term. Stevia's just another option, and it's a matter of opinion how much better or worse it may be than any other.

The real problem is scientific illiteracy that leads people to false conclusions.

chodan9 · 04-19-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyR

The real problem is scientific illiteracy that leads people to false conclusions.

at least now there is a ton of ways to fact check almost anything,
If some claim sounds fishy you can always do research, and its much easier than ever before.
unfortunately many people take alarmist views of every little warning they here on the evening news and live scared their whole lives, when a little bit of research would give them the whole story.

...Kennedy · 04-19-2009, 07:35 PM

<--- recent Stevia convert. It's tasty.

Getsum · 04-19-2009, 09:07 PM

I was diagnosed as a borderline diabetic at 28 and developed full onset type 2 diabetes just before 31. Splenda has literally been a life saver saver for me. I'm always battling my weight and I'd like to stay between 190 and 195lbs through proper diet, exercise and lifting. Splenda has played a big role in my personal success. I can also pick up Splenda for a really good price at Walmart. Shrug, I look at it as part of my normal supplement regimen along with my multivitamin, whey protein, BCAA, DHEA, fish and flax oils.

Anyway, peace and good luck.

Dutchman · 04-22-2009, 04:48 AM

I love my NOW Stevia in my tea and my cereals. No aftertaste, just sweet.

McJimmie · 04-22-2009, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chodan9

at least now there is a ton of ways to fact check almost anything,
If some claim sounds fishy you can always do research, and its much easier than ever before.

except Wikipedia !

Why not just try to cut them both out ?

I have a spoonful of honey on my morning oats, occasionally on a slice of wholemeal toast, and apart from that, no sugar (or sugar substitute) at all

DaddyR · 04-22-2009, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildtim

I thought you got sugar by pressing the cane, or beet and then crystallizing the solids out of the juice, at least I though this was the old fashioned way to do it.

Recrystalization is a chemical phenomenon/process. Back to High School for you!

I recently bought one of the new stevia products, Truvia. Tastes okay to me. However, I have read that stevia supposedly has a mild licorice-like aftertaste. I'm guessing you have to eat a lot of it to detect it though.

BrotherWolf · 04-22-2009, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crupiea

I agree with you, how did sugar get such a bad rap and a chemical become the preferred substance?

X2.. people abuse of it turned it into a bad thing..

BrotherWolf · 04-22-2009, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyR

, which is extracted from sugar cane and other sources by certain chemical processes.

Mechanical process....you are confusing with refining

http://www.sucrose.com/

BrotherWolf · 04-22-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McJimmie

I have a spoonful of honey on my morning oats, occasionally on a slice of wholemeal toast, and apart from that, no sugar (or sugar substitute) at all

Honey is sugar..
Honey consists of varying proportions of fructose(sugar), glucose(sugar), water, oil and the enzymes(saliva) produced by bees
they just do the job of extracting it for us

djl_ottawa · 04-22-2009, 07:38 AM

The ONLY splenda product I use is their Brown Sugar. It's actually half regular brown sugar half splenda.

I just ran out and am debating even getting more, since calorie wise it ain't that much of a difference, I just need to cut back on it.

RDFinders · 04-22-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djl_ottawa

The ONLY splenda product I use is their Brown Sugar. It's actually half regular brown sugar half splenda.

I just ran out and am debating even getting more, since calorie wise it ain't that much of a difference, I just need to cut back on it.

i believe sugar twin makes a completely calorie-free/sugar-free brown sugar replacement. i have never used it as i only use it during the holidays for my champagne sweet potato pie, so i opt to keep real brown sugar in the recipe.