Splenda

I've been breastfeeding for the last 6 months and I plan to breastfeed for another 6. Food is not a problem and I am just now starting to really get back into exercise. However, one of the big questions I have is artificial sweeteners.

Since I've been BF, I only use sugar and nothing else. I drink coffee and regular soda. But I am wondering what options I have. I've been researching and some say artificial sweeteners are fine in moderation and others say they are terrible for you. This is what I know:

Splenda - has extrose, maltodextrin and sucralose. It has 0 calories.

Sweet N Low and Nutrasweet - has Aspartame but also contains Phenylalanine. It has 0 calories.

Just trying to get a feel for what is healthy.

 

I am allergic to Splenda and so are two of my kids. It causes me terrible stomachaches (I thought I had an ulcer). I'd ask around your family and see if anyone in your family is allergic, just to be surer that your babies won't be.

 

I would so no use either of those-especially while breastfeeding. I've never read anything that leads me be believe they are good choices. Plus nutrasweet and sweet and low don't even taste sweet to me. They make my tongue tingle and taste metalic.

I would use Stevia if you want a low calorie option or 100% pure local honey, not low calorie but has health benefits. Or good old fashioned sugar in moderation, choosing the least processed (it shouldn't be white-white) option available to you.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself! See stevia.com for more info.

 

Another option would be Blue Agave. Its like sugar, but its long acting so you don't get that fast sugar spike and you need less of it to get the same amount of sweetness. I cant remember all the other good things I read about it, but was happy when I made the switch.

 

I stopped all the artifical sweetners when I found out I was pregnant, and have not gone back, as I am nursing 8 month olds. I honestly do not think I will ever go back. I prefer regular sugar now, and find that I eat/drink less of it.

I used to love diet soda, low calorie/low sugar candy & baked goods, splenda in my coffee, etc. I now just eat less of the real thing. I often times split things with my DH, whether it be a soft drink or a donut.

If I wanted to cut the sugar I would opt for the closest thing to natural sweetners possible, as mentioned above.

 

I've never had agave syrup in the US--maybe it's more refined there? Because here it has quite a strong taste, much stronger than honey. It goes well in some teas, but I can't imagine baking with it. Do you bake with it Jess? Have you found it affects the taste of your baked goods?

 

I haven't baked with it, simply because most recipes that use sugar call for a lot and Blue Agave is kinda spendy. It wouldn't be affordable for me to bake with it. However I really like it in my coffee I do try to buy it in Bulk at Costco.

 

my mom gets Agave Nectar at TJ Maxx and bakes with it - tastes good!