Sweet confusion!: Hi everyone, I am... - Weight Loss Support

Weight Loss Support

114,537 members60,871 posts

Sweet confusion!

Jesterpuss1 profile image
20 Replies

Hi everyone, I am trying to cut as much sugar out of my diet as possible. But I cannot stand my tea or coffee unsweetened! So I have been using a sweetener. Now I have been reading online the horrors of using these products (effects on health etc ). And basically I'm at a loss as which to use! Has anyone any ideas? Or do I give up my cuppa completely!! :( Not good!

Written by
Jesterpuss1 profile image
Jesterpuss1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
20 Replies
Sprout15 profile image
Sprout15

Try agave nectar. You can buy it at Tesco, Waitrose, Holland & Barrett's. It's sweeter than sugar so you don't need to use much and it doesn't have a nasty aftertaste like sweeteners. It's like syrup in consistency. I use it on my porridge.

Penel profile image
Penel in reply to Sprout15

Agave nectar is claimed to be healthy but it isn't, it contains more fructose than ordinary sugar. If you want something sweet on your porridge, try honey.

Sprout15 profile image
Sprout15 in reply to Penel

Sadly not healthy, you are right, but an alternative to sweeteners for those of us who don't like the chemical aftertaste. I wish I liked honey as I'd much rather have that.

djas profile image
djas

Morning i gave up sugar 9 days ago and i havnt had a cup of tea since then because i was using sweetener and i wanted to stop so ive been drinking a hot lemon instead. I think i will go back to tea when i think ive got all the sugar out of my system because hopefully i will be able to have it without sugar by then. I uses to drink 4 or 5 cups a day and just stopped so give it a go if i can do it anyone can. x

nhs2015 profile image
nhs2015

Don't give up your tea, try Natvia, a natural product and where you only use one third of the quantity for the same sweetness of sugar then slowly reduce it more and more.

Surf the net for Aspartame (sweetener). This will help you make an informed decision.

nhs2015 profile image
nhs2015 in reply to nhs2015

Our Natvia is what you call Stevia. It is plant based and not chemical stuff. I did eventually reduced it so as to get used to less sugar and eventually did not need it. It just happened naturally.

asics profile image
asics

I would be tempted to stick with sugar rather than mess around with substitutes and just reduce the amount bit by bit. Let those teaspoon numbers get less and then the teaspoon size. Maybe set a goal - a week at a drop, the next week drop further etc. I think a week would be enough for you to get used to each new reduction?

If you cut out sugar everywhere else you will be doing a fine job. Your tastes will then change and you will find your tea too sweet. You don't have to go completely cold turkey to get to your sugar free goal.

I have been sugar free for almost 2 weeks (2 weeks on Sunday) and I am finding that natural foods are incredibly sweet. Yellow pepper for example, is like eating naughties all of a sudden!

Jesterpuss1 profile image
Jesterpuss1 in reply to asics

I used to have two teaspoons in a cup of tea but over the last couple of years I've got it down to one level teaspoon! So maybe I'll just cut down more and hopefully be able to manage without! Ha ha but I won't hold my breath! 😂😇

I am the same I need my cuppa a little sweet or not at all! Apparently stevia is the best one to use as it is plant based not chemical although it is slightly more expensive than others.

Jesterpuss1 profile image
Jesterpuss1

Thanks everyone for your replies! I'll have a look when I go shopping. It's quite frightening when you read online about sweeteners! You basically can't win can you! 😕

Zest profile image
ZestHealthy BMI

Hi Jesterpuss1,

I did a thread about Artificial Sweeteners which got quite a few useful replies, and stimulated some interesting discussion, so you might want to have a read when making your decision about alternatives?

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh....

Lowcal :-)

Jesterpuss1 profile image
Jesterpuss1 in reply to Zest

Hi Lowcal thanks for your reply, I was using saccharin!! OMG I won't be using it anymore! I will definitely be checking labels when I'm out shopping in future! I've never been one for processed foods and don't really drink diet coke etc. It was very interesting to watch and read the discussion! I think I'll go back to half a tsp of sugar in my tea and try to wean myself off completely! Thanks again 😊

Zest profile image
ZestHealthy BMI in reply to Jesterpuss1

Hi Jesterpuss1,

You're very welcome. I think it's great to be able to share ideas and discuss stuff in this forum. Glad it was helpful reading that thread.

Good luck with your plan to wean yourself off it completely.

Wishing you a great weekend!

Lowcal :-)

Jesterpuss1 profile image
Jesterpuss1 in reply to Zest

Thanks Lowcal, yes I luv the forum! I don't know what I'd do without it now! There's always someone ready to give advice! It's great!

Wishing you a great weekend too! See you at Monday weigh in! 😉

2bFabnfit profile image
2bFabnfit

I use more milk in coffee as it contains lactose and now I have given up refined sugar I find it makes it sweeter

Jesterpuss1 profile image
Jesterpuss1 in reply to 2bFabnfit

Thanks 2bFabnfit, i'll give it a try! 😊

Dave1961 profile image
Dave196125kg

I have done a bit of research into this and Stevia, as someone else mentioned, is your best bet. I actually swapped over to it recently because it has been found to be the most natural option and (apparently) does not fool the body into thinking its sugar and therefore starting chain reactions that store more fact.

Jesterpuss1 profile image
Jesterpuss1

Hi Dave1961, i looked at Stevia while shopping last night, and thought "should I, shouldn't I! Then decided I'd go with the weaning myself off "proper" sugar if I can, coz it was £5 a pack in Sainsbury 's! If I find I can't do it I'll definitely try Stevia but at the moment I'll go without! Yuck! :( thanks for your reply, hope you have a good week end :)

Andyt2120 profile image
Andyt2120

I've used artificial sweeteners for over 40 years with no ill effects. Depends on what you read. Does not have ill effects on the majority of people. I have given up all refined sugar so I feel the benefits outweigh any possible negatives. Science results change with the wind.

Jesterpuss1 profile image
Jesterpuss1

Hi Andyt2120, thanks for your reply. I know what you mean about scientists saying something's ok for you one day and the next day its bad for you! It's just with me being borderline diabetic, I read online that saccharin can be worse for me than ordinary sugar! It's all very confusing!! It's quite scary coz I want to avoid getting type 2 diabetes if I can. 😕

You may also like...

Advice on sweet cravings

reduce/eliminate such cravings? Do I go cold turkey and cut out altogether by not buying them, do I...

Sweets, please!

something that the body is used to having. I know this will take some getting used to.

Sweet potatoes or regular potatoes?

had no idea whether they are actually better for you than normal potatoes.  It led me to reading...

Sweet eater/not chocolate

eat healthily and do a lot of walking but just cannot seem to shift these few kilos. I am...

Sweet potato Vs Potato

Which ones are healthier to have if on a weight loss regime? Please can someone guide a lost soul..