Cutting Out the Sweet Stuff
Notice I didn’t say the “white” stuff. Yes, I’ve mentioned in the past how bad sugar is, but artificial sweeteners aren’t exactly splendid or all that equal to the task of weight loss (puns intended). There are two reasons why artificial sweeteners aren’t always all they’re cracked up to be. First, they often have a lot of side effects, some of which can be very troublesome. Recent research on Splenda definitely gave me pause about using it. Second, some researchers have noted that using artificial sweeteners may actually contribute to weight gain. Why? Probably because our bodies never get weaned off the taste for sweets and we are more likely to indulge it with actual sugar. Thus, I’ve decided to actually cut down on sweeteners in general. I drink my coffee now with just cream or occasionally stevia. I’ve tried to drink more water and fewer zero calorie drinks. I also use stevia when I do need some sweetening not anything artificial. It hasn’t been completely easy (especially with coffee), but I’m adjusting.
Go black, my friend! I may have said this already, but my dad always drank black coffee, so when I started I was determined to do the same. Don’t miss the other stuff at all.
Though when I have a iced coffee treat (Mcd’s, Starbucks), I do admit to the milk and artificial sweets. This is only once or twice a month however.
I’m going to go have some cream-free, sweet-free hot tea right now.
I admire you Chad for going totally black. I’ve read that powdered creamer is not so good either, but I do need something to take some of the bitter edge off the coffee. Maybe I should just give up coffee! Yeah, like that’ll happen!!!
Have you guys heard of or tried this?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_fruit
Chad,
That is a fascinating plant. I have never heard of it until now. I would be interested in trying some though.