FitSugar

Artificial Sweeteners Explained

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:30:00 PDT

I have a huge sweet tooth and I'm not afraid to admit it. I tend to go for treats made with real sugar, but I know many people watching their calorie intake like to go for sugar substitutes (so they can have their cake and not wear it too).

There are so many artificial sweeteners out there, it's hard to keep them straight. Here's a list of some of the most popular ones.

Type of Artificial Sweetener	General Info	Pros	Cons
Sucralose (Splenda)	Contains maltodextrin to bulk it up It's 600 times sweeter than regular sugar.	Has zero calories. You can bake with it. After 110 studies, the FDA concluded that sucralose has no toxic or carcinogenic effects, and poses no reproductive or neurological risks to people.	The bulking agents add about 12 calories per tablespoon of Splenda (although the nutritional info doesn't list these calories. Adds an artificial taste when you bake with it.

Want to see the rest of the list? Then

Saccharin (Sweet'N Low)	It's 300 times sweeter than regular sugar. Is a molecule made from petroleum. The FDA proposed a ban on it in 1977 when lab rats that were fed huge amounts contracted bladder cancer. The ban was never enacted though, and the warning label was dropped in 2000.	Has zero calories. You can bake with it.	Since 1981, government reports list it as an "anticipated human carcinogen." Male smokers may be at risk of cancer if they consume large amounts. Little studies have been done regarding its effects on children, so they should consume it in small quantities, or not at all. Pregnant women are advised to use saccharin sparingly.
Aspartame (NutraSweet and Equal)	It's 180 to 200 times sweeter than regular sugar. 70 percent of all aspartame is used in sodas. The FDA has set the acceptable daily intake (ADI) at 50 mg per kilogram of body weight. That translates to about four (12 oz.) cans of diet soda per day (that's a lot of soda).	One gram of aspartame contains 4 calories. In 1996, the FDA approved its use in foods and beverages. It's approved for consumption by pregnant women, as long as they follow the FDA's guidelines.	You can't bake with it. Some people may have a sensitivity to aspartame, and may experience headaches, dizziness, mood changes, or skin reactions after consuming it.
Acesulfame-K (Sunette or Sweet One)	It's 200 times sweeter than regular sugar. The body can't break it down, so it's excreted from the body unchanged.	It has zero calories. It's approved by the FDA. It doesn't increase the risk of cancer, or affect blood-sugar levels. You can bake with it. It's approved for consumption by pregnant women, as long as they follow the FDA's guidelines.	It has a bitter taste on its own. The consumer group, Center for Science in the Public Interest, believes that studies on this sweetener were poorly done and didn't test its potential cancer-causing risks.
Sorbitol, Mannitol	These are sugar alcohols that occur naturally in fruits, and are commercially made for use as sweeteners.	FDA has designated them as "Generally Recognized As Safe." They're absorbed slowly.	Some parts of these aren't absorbed at all, so consuming these in large quantities may cause diarrhea. This laxative effect can happen if you consume more than 49 grams of sorbitol, or more than 19 grams of manitol.

Fit's Tips: After hearing all those bad things about sugar substitutes, and knowing that one packet of real sugar contains only 11 calories, I think I'll stick to the sugar. What about you? Source

Artificial Sweetener May Make You Gain?

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:45:00 PST

If you're a fan of artificial sweeteners for weight loss then you may want to rethink it before you tear open a packet.

New research has found that saccharin altered the ability of rats to control their appetites. Why? Well apparently it is based on the subconscious. For most of us, a sweet taste is a sign that calories are on their way. The problem comes in when sweetness is not followed by calories. This can lead to confusion in the body's digestive system, and the metabolism rate may not gear up as much the next time sweetness is tasted. The result is that over time our bodies may learn to not expect much in terms of getting calories from sweet foods, leading us to consume more and more, artificial or not.

The semigood news? The head of an artificial sweetener trade group dismissed such claims, saying they don't translate to human behavior. Hum.

Me, I've never been a fan of artificial sweeteners for many reasons (mainly taste) but this just adds to my list of reasons to avoid them. What about you guys - do you regularly eat artificial sweeteners?

Source

Over-the-top Bachelorette Villain Bentley - Welcomed or Disgusting Distraction?

Annie Scudder — Tue, 31 May 2011 10:40:36 PDT

Season after season on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, contestants spout saccharine platitudes about how they are "there for the right reason" or are "really falling" for each other. Whether or not it's later revealed one or more has a secret relationship back home, they never admit any cynical motive on camera.

That's changed this time with Bentley, the businessman contestant telling the camera in no uncertain terms that he doesn't find bachelorette Ashley attractive and is only trying to seduce her because he is competitive. In clips like the one above, viewers are treated to his demeaning descriptions of her appearance, and at one point last night he said he would "literally rather be swimming in pee" than planning a wedding with her.

Ashley's utter cluelessness is sad, but also indicative of the risks that come with trying to find love on a television show. While past contestants obviously signed up with motives besides finding a spouse, Bentley seems to be the first to admit it so blatantly. Does that make the show more interesting or just cruel?

15 Pretty Pedestals For Wedding Confections

Tara Sharp — Thu, 26 May 2011 04:44:16 PDT

Whether your wedding dessert of choice is a three-tiered wedding cake, homemade pies, cupcakes, or macarons, you need a picture-perfect way to display your big day's saccharine delights. And when it comes to cake pedestals, I'm seeing everything from vintage to modern and rustic to girlie designs. Don't be afraid to use mismatched styles and colors on a dessert table, or try grouping a variety of pedestals in a monochromatic palette. Here are 15 of my favorites, dig in!

Start sharing your big day with our community. Just head to the Wedding Talk group, click "new post," and check the wedding content box.

Photo by Jill Thomas via Source

5 Dark, Sexy Things You Didn't Know About Evan Rachel Wood

Tara Sharp — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:00:58 PDT

Tired of saccharine Taylor Swift? Meet the young, blond opposite of sweet Swift, 23-year-old Evan Rachel Wood, who opened up to Esquire about what attracted her to ex-fiancé Marilyn Manson, her bisexuality, and her inked body parts. Here are five things you may not have known about this fair-skinned actress:

Her death is all planned out, from her written will to where her ashes will be dispersed to what song will be played at her funeral ("Shine On You Crazy Diamond" by Pink Floyd).
She has nine tattoos, including a mystery one on the inside of her lip: "No one gets to see it or know what it says."
Her family life wasn't peachy: "I was a teenager in Hollywood with a divorced family - there's gonna be pain there."
Her love for David Bowie explains why she was drawn to Marilyn Manson: "So I was always into very androgynous things. Guys, girls . . . I'm into androgyny in general."
She's bisexual: "Yeah, I'm more kind of like the guy when it comes to girls. I'm the dominant one . . . I'm opening the doors, I'm buying dinner. Yeah, I'm romantic."

Buzz Blabber: The First Look at the Men of The Hunger Games Inspires Debate

BuzzSugar — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 03:05:00 PDT

This week you sounded off on a few big movie happenings, including the first glimpse of characters in the highly anticipated adaptation of The Hunger Games, two rival fairy-tale films, and the trailer for yet another ensemble romantic comedy. Check out the most opinionated and spirited comments from those subjects below.

Hunger Games fans take sides on Peeta and Gale

"So excited! I don't really care what they look like as long as they're relatively close. I just hope they can ACT like Peeta and Gale and I think they can." - likethedirection
"Peeta looks more beefed up than Gale . . . PROBLEMATIC" - KACIEJPC
"Wow, Liam Hemsworth looks so different here - he's still crazy hot; in fact, I think I kind of prefer him as a brunette. I'm still not on board with Josh Hutcherson, though. I love Peeta in the books, and this is not what I imagined (not blond or hot enough). I can't wait for the movie, though . . . " - lizlee89

To find out what else made you guys talk back in comments, just

"I'd need to see a bit more, but solely based on the photos, I'd go with the Kristen Stewart one. The dress in the Relativity one makes me cringe - too saccharine for me, and if I want that kind of flavor, I'd rather watch the Disney cartoon." - RainyDays
"I don't like Kristen Stewart that much, but after seeing the photos of her and the cast in Huntsman, I'm very interested in watching the darker interpretation of the tale. Though how I can possibly choose between Chris Hemsworth and Armie Hammer?" - Karen Marie
"Snow White and the Huntsman looks really different. I'm looking forward to seeing it." - bryseana

The New Year's Eve trailer don't impress you much

"I'm going to love it, but in the way where it's actually terrible and I'm embarrassed to admit that i love it." - jannam
"I'd probably like this movie if they had stuck to 2 or maybe 3 of the plot lines, but when you throw in a million different characters and stories, it's very hard to actually care about the characters. It's tricky, and just because Love Actually was able to pull it off, doesn't mean it's going to work every time!!!" - dreamalittledream
"I know we're supposed to love these movies with "stellar casts" but it's starting to feel [like] cheap and manipulative movie making. *puke*" - Cupcake0110

Shopping For Unabashedly Pink and Pretty Sofas

Elka Karl — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:56:18 PST

While it's easy to imagine that a pink sofa is feminine, delicate, and nearly saccharine in its sweetness, the truth is anything but. See five of my current favorites in the world of pink seating options.

Happy Hour: Presto Moscato Dolce

Susannah Chen — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:04:38 PDT

Ever since I was pleasantly surprised by Yellow Tail's latest wine, a well-priced Australian Moscato, the muscat grape has assumed the role of flavor of the month. Call it coincidence, but a few days later, I sampled Presto Moscato Dolce and fell hard for its flavor profile.

This Italian bottling isn't nearly as sweet (nor has the same intensity) as its Yellow Tail counterpart. Rather, it greets you with a light perfume of honeyed stone fruits and lots of effervescence. The finish, which is more off-dry than an extra dry sparkling wine, but not quite as sweet as Moscato d'Asti, isn't overly saccharine.

Presto Moscato Dolce's perfect for sipping solo, although I can't wait to try this at an outdoor concert, accompanied by brie, bread, and Summer fruit. Given that it's available nationwide at Whole Foods for around $10, I'm sure I'll be giving it another whirl soon. What's your favorite picnic wine?

Heartfelt Valentine's Day Wedding Inspiration

Tara Sharp — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 03:30:26 PST

Forget cupids with arrows and saccharine red on pink color palettes, having a Valentine's Day-inspired engagement shoot or wedding can be whimsically romantic when done creatively and with a sense of humor. With just the right amount of sweet and some big, red hearts tossed in the mix, these inspiring wedding and engagement pics will have you in the mood for love in no time.

10 Pies Worth Savoring

YumSugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:50:50 PST

This Sunday isn't just daylight savings; it also marks the end of British Pie Week, and just so happens to be 3.14, or Pi Day! Rather than overload you with a bunch of saccharine pies, I thought I'd inspire you with a collection of sugar-free selections - some inspired by the cuisine of Great Britain, and others just downright unconventional, but all worth savoring. From steak and ale pie to barbecue chili pie, catch them all when you keep clicking.