Artificial Sweeteners, not my cup of tea!

[Newme17 3,444]

I absolutely LOATHE artificial sweeteners! I will not eat or drink anything with them in it. (They give me nasty headaches and taste really bad to me). Has any one had success with eliminating these out of the pre/post op diets? People are eating sugar free jello/puddings, Crystal Light, etc. If I want something sweet, would it be ok to replace with a 1/2 teas of honey or agave Syrup or something??? If not, I'll forego anything sweet if I have to.

[Butterflight 49]

I have a horrible sensitivity to sugar alcohols, so my NUT has me using Carnation Instant Breakfast with unflavored Protein powder added as an alternative. I could also add the powder to broth and have it that way.

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[James Marusek 5,244]

I was diabetic prior to my RNY gastric bypass surgery 3 years ago. The operation took care of my diabetes and ever since I have avoided all forms of processed sugar. I have no problem with the various types of artificial sugars or no calorie natural sugars. I regularly use Stevia. On the other hand honey (fructose) contains a high amount of calories and according to my surgeon was to be avoided. I believe Agave which comes from cactus falls in the same boat. But I think Monk Fruit is O.K.

Since I had RNY if I consume sugar it can lead to dumping syndrome. I do not believe those that undergo sleeve surgery experiences this problem.

[Newme17 3,444]

I have a horrible sensitivity to sugar alcohols, so my NUT has me using Carnation Instant Breakfast with unflavored Protein powder added as an alternative. I could also add the powder to broth and have it that way.

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That just may be my thing then. I'll look in to that some more. Thank you!

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[Newme17 3,444]

I was diabetic prior to my RNY gastric bypass surgery 3 years ago. The operation took care of my diabetes and ever since I have avoided all forms of processed sugar. I have no problem with the various types of artificial sugars or no calorie natural sugars. I regularly use Stevia. On the other hand honey (fructose) contains a high amount of calories and according to my surgeon was to be avoided. I believe Agave which comes from cactus falls in the same boat. But I think Monk Fruit is O.K.

Since I had RNY if I consume sugar it can lead to dumping syndrome. I do not believe those that undergo sleeve surgery experiences this problem.

I was never one to be concerned with high fructose, etc. because I really don't have a sweet tooth, this don't eat/drink sweet stuff. I wouldn't think 1/2 a teas of a natural sweetener would do any damage. But as a precaution I'll definitely check with the docs. For sure, if they do cause dumping, then I'll steer clear. Just may be hard for the few times I actually want something sweet. Thank you for your input!

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[theantichick 2,204]

Nutrasweet is a huge Migraine trigger for me, so I struggle with the whole sugar-free thing. I have to find options that have splenda or Monk Fruit because I'm one of the people who gets the wierd after taste with stevia, or things that come with no sweeteners added and then I add monk fruit because even Splenda sometimes gives me a metallic aftertaste. Because I can't do a ketogenic diet, I don't have a particular carb limit, I've gotten to where I will take a small bit of something with a natural sugar if I need to before I'll get a sugar-free something. I do try to avoid refined sugars where I can. Monk fruit has been the best sweetener for me personally, but it's not one that's used in prepared foods much so I am trying to learn how to make things like Jello and pudding from scratch.

[Newme17 3,444]

Nutrasweet is a huge Migraine trigger for me, so I struggle with the whole sugar-free thing. I have to find options that have splenda or Monk Fruit because I'm one of the people who gets the wierd after taste with stevia, or things that come with no sweeteners added and then I add monk fruit because even Splenda sometimes gives me a metallic aftertaste. Because I can't do a ketogenic diet, I don't have a particular carb limit, I've gotten to where I will take a small bit of something with a natural sugar if I need to before I'll get a sugar-free something. I do try to avoid refined sugars where I can. Monk fruit has been the best sweetener for me personally, but it's not one that's used in prepared foods much so I am trying to learn how to make things like Jello and pudding from scratch.

Monk fruit. This is new for me. I'll need to look it up. Like you I get the headaches....it's terrible isn't it. To me artificial sweeteners is poison. I won't touch it.

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[heidikat72 935]

Even when trying the "natural" low cal sweeteners like stevia and monkfruit- don't assume you won't have a negative reaction. Definitely give them a try but don't buy a whole lot up front in case you do have a negative reaction. Monkfruit gave me horrible cramps and dumping (and I'm a sleeve patient).

[theantichick 2,204]

Nutrasweet is a huge Migraine trigger for me, so I struggle with the whole sugar-free thing. I have to find options that have splenda or Monk Fruit because I'm one of the people who gets the wierd after taste with stevia, or things that come with no sweeteners added and then I add monk fruit because even Splenda sometimes gives me a metallic aftertaste. Because I can't do a ketogenic diet, I don't have a particular carb limit, I've gotten to where I will take a small bit of something with a natural sugar if I need to before I'll get a sugar-free something. I do try to avoid refined sugars where I can. Monk fruit has been the best sweetener for me personally, but it's not one that's used in prepared foods much so I am trying to learn how to make things like Jello and pudding from scratch.

Monk fruit. This is new for me. I'll need to look it up. Like you I get the headaches....it's terrible isn't it. To me artificial sweeteners is poison. I won't touch it.

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Monk fruit is a little less synthetic than some others. I mean it's an actual food product instead of just a chemical formulation but it is still processed. It can be hard to find sometimes, I get it off Amazon at this point. I think it's an issue of finding what your system likes the best.

[Djmohr 6,965]

Artificial sweeteners can cause Migraines for those who suffer from Migraine. I happen to be one of those and so is my neurologist. I avoid them as much as possible and will use regular sugar or honey instead.

In the beginning (post surgery), this is not that big of an issue because you cannot eat much anyway and honestly sugar is one of those things that just tastes weird after surgery.

That being said, once you do get used to it and you head toward maintenance, sugar can become a problem if you are not careful. Because you can eat more....if you are eating it, it makes you crave more (at least in my experience).

For some reason, I did not have dumping syndrome in the first 18 months post surgery but somehow I have clearly developed it. When I do have something sweet or too fatty, I now end up with racing heart, sweats, and even stomach cramping. I believe it is the amount of food with sugar that effects me and because I could not eat much in the beginning I had no problem.

I am honestly kind of glad that it effects me that way because it is becoming a significant deterant for me. thank goodness.

[Sai 785]

I went through pre-op and post-op with no artificial sweeteners. The reason I stopped was I started making my own milk kefir for probiotic purposes, and have been drinking it daily since 2010. Sucralose, for example, destroys and alters the all important gut microflora, so it would erase any of the good that the kefir does in my tummy. So, it can definitely be done. I used unflavored Protein in my broths, drinks... Etc.

[Nymea 87]

I don't generally use any sweeteners since the sweet taste triggers me to go looking for sugary products again, whereas whole fresh fruit doesn't seem to do that to me so much.

Having said that I tried a new sweetener a couple of weeks ago because I was cooking rhubarb and it was just too tart without something. The sweetener is erythritol which is a sugar alcohol like xylitol but with less of the GI upset. It is less sweet than sugar (only about 70% of the sweetness) and comes in granulated form which to me is indistinguishable from sugar. Erythritol is also supposed to be safe for diabetics because it is supposed to not affect blood sugars - I didn't notice a big spike in my sugars when I had the rhubarb - but that was only one small bowl so I can't say if it holds true all the time.

I also put some in my mum's coffee instead of sugar and she didn't even notice - normally she doesn't like the bitter after taste of sweeteners - again I only did it for a week while she was staying with me ... so it isn't a very scientific study lol.

In Australia we can buy erythritol in Coles but it comes in little individual serve packs which is annoying if you want to cook with it. To get it in a large pack like sugar we have to order it from the internet. I am not sure about other countries.

[Newme17 3,444]

Even when trying the "natural" low cal sweeteners like stevia and monkfruit- don't assume you won't have a negative reaction. Definitely give them a try but don't buy a whole lot up front in case you do have a negative reaction. Monkfruit gave me horrible cramps and dumping (and I'm a sleeve patient).

Good advice. Thanks!

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[Newme17 3,444]

I don't generally use any sweeteners since the sweet taste triggers me to go looking for sugary products again, whereas whole fresh fruit doesn't seem to do that to me so much.

Having said that I tried a new sweetener a couple of weeks ago because I was cooking rhubarb and it was just too tart without something. The sweetener is erythritol which is a sugar alcohol like xylitol but with less of the GI upset. It is less sweet than sugar (only about 70% of the sweetness) and comes in granulated form which to me is indistinguishable from sugar. Erythritol is also supposed to be safe for diabetics because it is supposed to not affect blood sugars - I didn't notice a big spike in my sugars when I had the rhubarb - but that was only one small bowl so I can't say if it holds true all the time.

I also put some in my mum's coffee instead of sugar and she didn't even notice - normally she doesn't like the bitter after taste of sweeteners - again I only did it for a week while she was staying with me ... so it isn't a very scientific study lol.

In Australia we can buy erythritol in Coles but it comes in little individual serve packs which is annoying if you want to cook with it. To get it in a large pack like sugar we have to order it from the internet. I am not sure about other countries.

I've never heard of the product. Sounds chemically. Lol. Nonetheless, I'll look it up.

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[RickM 1,747]

I don't generally use any sweeteners since the sweet taste triggers me to go looking for sugary products again, whereas whole fresh fruit doesn't seem to do that to me so much.

Having said that I tried a new sweetener a couple of weeks ago because I was cooking rhubarb and it was just too tart without something. The sweetener is erythritol which is a sugar alcohol like xylitol but with less of the GI upset. It is less sweet than sugar (only about 70% of the sweetness) and comes in granulated form which to me is indistinguishable from sugar. Erythritol is also supposed to be safe for diabetics because it is supposed to not affect blood sugars - I didn't notice a big spike in my sugars when I had the rhubarb - but that was only one small bowl so I can't say if it holds true all the time.

I also put some in my mum's coffee instead of sugar and she didn't even notice - normally she doesn't like the bitter after taste of sweeteners - again I only did it for a week while she was staying with me ... so it isn't a very scientific study lol.

In Australia we can buy erythritol in Coles but it comes in little individual serve packs which is annoying if you want to cook with it. To get it in a large pack like sugar we have to order it from the internet. I am not sure about other countries.

I've never heard of the product. Sounds chemically. Lol. Nonetheless, I'll look it up.

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It's a sugar alcohol, like most anything that has -itol in its name (maltitol, xylitol, etc.) that has some fraction of the calories of regular sugar relative to sweetness (not zero calorie, but less than normal sugar.)

It's not unreasonable to go without the fake or zero-calorie sweeteners, but it does help to track your intake long term to keep your accounting straight. As others have noted, particularly later on toward maintenance when one can eat more, be aware of cravings that can come with sugar consumption (and some of the artificial ones too) so pay attention to keep your weight under control long term.