Cutting out sweetners?

[Leslie_e_f]

I was just wanting to know when most people recommend cutting out sweetners? I'm 5 weeks out, should I cut them now or can I wait a few more weeks?

[Sporto1633]

Originally Posted by Leslie_e_f

I was just wanting to know when most people recommend cutting out sweetners? I'm 5 weeks out, should I cut them now or can I wait a few more weeks?

If you are referring to the 0 calorie sweetners, you can wait until 1 or 2 weeks out. I'm not convinced they'll make any difference anyway...

I was eating Waldenfoods 0 calorie stuff all the way up until show day, and they had artificial sweetners in them. And I was drinking 2+ gallons of water a day all the way up until the night before the show (and this was the show I won the overall and turned pro), and I never "held water" at all. So I'm not convinced it will make any difference.

Sporto

[Wayneizgod]

are those crystal light packets considered sweetners?

[Sporto1633]

Originally Posted by Wayneizgod

are those crystal light packets considered sweetners?

Crystal Light uses 0 calorie artificial sweetners, yes.

Sporto

[Agostage]

Originally Posted by Sporto1633

If you are referring to the 0 calorie sweetners, you can wait until 1 or 2 weeks out. I'm not convinced they'll make any difference anyway...

I was eating Waldenfoods 0 calorie stuff all the way up until show day, and they had artificial sweetners in them. And I was drinking 2+ gallons of water a day all the way up until the night before the show (and this was the show I won the overall and turned pro), and I never "held water" at all. So I'm not convinced it will make any difference.

Sporto

Agreed, I've never heard/seen any evidence that they really make a difference. I feel if they did it would be very small and probably outweighed by the advantage of keeping your taste sanity for a while.

[jackedrabbit]

Just be careful with Splenda and Equal packets. They cut it with Maltodextrin, which does impact blood glucose levels if consumed in a great enough amount. So as long as you don't go adding 5 packs of Splenda to each of your 8 teas or coffees a day, you should be good.

Also, 0 calorie doesn't mean 0. It means less than 5, or negligible. I've read about people chewing 3-5 packs of gum a day...each stick of gum having 2-3 calories, each pack being about 20 sticks, you do the math.

It's 0 if you use it moderately and wisely. Same goes for walden farms...don't go drinking that whole bottle of chocolate syrup..lol.

BTW, bowl of oats + PB + Walden Farms Chocolate Syrup = heavenly refeed.

[Leslie_e_f]

Thanks everyone, this is great information and will help tons. I had read somewhere to cut out sweetners at 4 weeks, I was thinking I might go crazy if I have to do that, LOL!
What is Walden Farms? never heard of it. I drink crystal light mostly. I do use splenda in my coffee, usually only 1 packet per day. I mostly use Stevia (herbal extract). I also chew about 2-4 pieces of gum.

[Sporto1633]

Originally Posted by Leslie_e_f

Thanks everyone, this is great information and will help tons. I had read somewhere to cut out sweetners at 4 weeks, I was thinking I might go crazy if I have to do that, LOL!
What is Walden Farms? never heard of it. I drink crystal light mostly. I do use splenda in my coffee, usually only 1 packet per day. I mostly use Stevia (herbal extract). I also chew about 2-4 pieces of gum.

The things you are describing are fine. Also, jackedrabbit's post is essentially moot if you are monitoring your body and making the necessary adjustments when it doesn't do what you want. The minimal calories that might be in the 0 calorie foods are not going to be the reason you aren't progressing, trust me. Tracking cals, dropping little by little when need be, adding cardio when need be, and staying on top of that will get you to where you want. This isn't near as hard as most the magazines and "gurus" make it out to be. Think about it, if it really were that simple, most of them wouldn't have a job spitting out cookie cutter advice that really doesn't work like they say it does (think about the cutting water crap you read about).

Stay on top of monitoring your body and making necessary adjustments and you'll be fine. If you aren't quite to where you want to be by the deadline, then it just means you need more time the next go around. This is a constant learning process we go though with our bodies.

Best of luck

Sporto

[Sporto1633]

Oh, and Walden Farms is a brand of 0 calorie stuff, like chocolate dip, jams, chocolate syrup, BBQ sauce, etc. I was downing this stuff big time during my prep..made no difference. Why? Because I was making my small adjustments when necessary each week that kept the fat loss humming along. Walden Farms satisfied my sweet tooth big time

Sporto

[jth16]

Originally Posted by Sporto1633

Oh, and Walden Farms is a brand of 0 calorie stuff, like chocolate dip, jams, chocolate syrup, BBQ sauce, etc. I was downing this stuff big time during my prep..made no difference. Why? Because I was making my small adjustments when necessary each week that kept the fat loss humming along. Walden Farms satisfied my sweet tooth big time

Sporto

I must find this 'Walden Farms'...
Sold at Wal-Mart?

[bryce126]

i would die without artificial sweeteners, its what keeps me sane right now.

crystal light
splenda
xtend

<3333

[BigTymePlayer25]

I dont cut sweetners until about 1 week OUT....but i dont use them that much anyway....just 2 packets of splenda a day in my coffee

[Sporto1633]

Originally Posted by jth16

I must find this 'Walden Farms'...
Sold at Wal-Mart?

Not that I know of...I have to go to a mom-and-pop grocery store to get them. I do believe Marsh and/or Meijer carry them though...

Sporto