Sugar

[belindalore]

What do you all use in place of sugar? I have been using stevia but read somewhere (I need to write down where I read stuff, I can never remember😕) that it's a little iffy for Afib. Thanks.

[Finvola]

Any artificial sweetener is to be avoided as it does make arrhythmias worse. I cut out sugar where I could, never adding it where possible. The only exception I had to make was in my morning fix of strong coffee - prior to having AF I used a sweetener, now I prefer to use a small spoonful of sugar as I feel it is safer.

The worst source of artificial sweetener is in processed foods and drinks which I also avoid.

[BobD Volunteer]

All artifical sweetners should be banned in my view, far worse than sugar for so many things.

[belindalore in reply to BobD]

True. They are mostly just chemicals. Yuk.

[CDreamer]

Stevia is the best of them as plant based but I don’t sweeten anything other than porridge by adding sultanas. Occasionally I use Honey as it has antibacterial qualities, Date syrup or Maple Syrup or Coconut Sugar as it has a better GI profile. But all are still sugar.

There is a natural sweetener from Birch sap which is used in Europe in gum & toothpaste but don’t know if available in US.

webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingre...

Heed the warning re dogs!

My only exception is Christmas when icing for the cake is made!

[belindalore in reply to CDreamer]

I've come to see you have products not available in the U.S. and vice versa. I don't use much of the stevia at all. It's sweeter than sugar. To me. On occasion I put a little in my smoothie I have at breakfast. I use almond milk (unsweetened) plain yogurt, half a banana, half an avocado, handful of fresh cranberries, blackberries OR blueberries (the last two I buy frozen). If I use the cranberries they are tart so I put in just a bit of stevia. I usually have a bowl of oatmeal or poached eggs . If I don't drink all the smoothie I have the rest for lunch. I use nothing but almond milk now and use it on my oatmeal too. Years ago I used to use brown rice syrup. Don't know if that would be good or not.Thanks CDreamer. You always have good info. What we call over here-"a walking encyclopedia". ☺

[jeanjeannie50]

I avoid all artificial sweeteners and blame them totally for being the cause of my AF. I have proof it was, which I've mentioned on this forum many times. Will only have drinks sweetened with a little sugar when needed now.

My dentist recommended a natural sweetener for me, but when I tried it, it tasted like mothballs (perhaps the pack I had was faulty in some way - who knows). Was disgusting!

Jean

[belindalore in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks. I stay away from sugar as much as I can, as it is an inflammatory. And I agree artificial sweeteners are just crud. I seldom use that much stevia. Maybe I'll just try doing without anything. Won't hurt. Thanks for your input. 😊

[Cha275rL in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I had no idea that sweeteners had an effect on AF. I only ever have 2 a week at the most, but will just have a little drop of sugar instead.

[Globe-J]

Hi Belinda,

Unfortunately, it appears that substituting sugar is not harmless. Below is a link to one article (there is much more, some evidence linking sugar substitutes to a host of other medical problems):

health.harvard.edu/newslett...

Easy does it, like sugar, please use sparingly. One can become more sensitive, thus needing less sweeteners. It will take a few weeks but you may discover a host of other flavours along the way. Perhaps stop adding sweeteners, full stop. It works well for me. Sugar is added to a huge variety of foods, yet sweeteners may masks naturally occurring flavours. Having somewhat addictive properties and extending the shelf life are just a couple of reasons for its (over) use.

Sorry about a long post but sweeteners may do more harm than tobacco

J

[belindalore in reply to Globe-J]

Thanks.

[secondtry]

Agree with others, avoid artificial sweeteners and use minimal sugar or other natural sweetness e.g. date syrup. Biggest move is a Lifestyle change to get used to less sugar, which is very addictive. I used to know every quality cake shop within 50 miles of home! However, I have successfully weaned myself and now select carefully savoury substitutes - less chronic issues incl tinnitus - there are benefits of AF!

[belindalore in reply to secondtry]

Stevia is from a plant. But I still read it could be problematic. So I think no sugar for me. Thanks.

[Bobbo52]

I never knew that artificial sweeteners are bad for AF, is it really true or just an assumption.I have PAF and use an artificial sweetener derived from sugar. Never thought of any connection.

[belindalore in reply to Bobbo52]

Maybe like anything else it depends on the person. I got away from artificial sweeteners because they are just chemicals. Started using stevia which is a natural plant based sweetener. But I guess sugar is from a plant too but that sugar is inflammatory and has no nutrients. I don't know that stevia does either but I'd rather use it than sugar. And I use very little stevia. Someone mentioned using date sugar. It's just something else to think about when there's so many things that can be triggers for Afib. 😒 Take care. 🎅

[AQuilter]

Stevia is a plant. The leaves of stevia plant gives out a sweetness.

[belindalore]

I think the USA consumes a lot of sugar. I forget how many pounds averaged per person a year. But it's a lot. A lot of obese people here. I used to love to bake cookies and cakes and pies........ Not now😟