Any good advice on books and sites about aspartame and nutrition? (no junk science please)

tame

[tame]

There are soooooo many nutrition books, and diet books on the market. It can be a bit overwhelming and confusing for a beginner like me to sort out the junk science, and voodoo gimmicks, from the well respected books, and web sites.

In the last couple of years I've been extremely tired, sleepy and fatigued for some reason. I've never really been into the nutrition thing, so I would appreciate any of your recommendations on good nutrition, and advice on the following:

1) Sodium. What's the story? How much is too much. How little is too little. Is it true that sodium causes water retention, and too much water retention is bad?

2) Aspartame. I love it in sweeteners (nutrasweek, etc.). I probably use between 100 and 200 packets a day. No joke. But I hear so many bad things about it. Is this junk science or not?

3) Water. I heard someone say you can actually drink too much water. Is this true? If so, how much is too much?

4) yams and sweet potatoes. I love them. I usually have a yam or sweet potato along with one broiled chicken breast for a meal. What are the draw backs on yams and sweet potatoes?

5) Body For Life Diet. I've lost a bit of weight on this diet, but I still lack energy. Any draw backs to this diet?

Please steer me away from the junk science and recommmend some healthy books and websites.

I appreciate it. tame.

[tame]

And it's recommended at Weight Watchers!

Good to know! Thanks!

[tame]

If you drink this much water, salt or other things need not be worried about (as a matter of fact, some will say INCREASE your salt intake, if you consistantly drink this much water).

I've done this and it really does help. One digests things better, you naturally don't desire as much coffee or soft drinks (or alcahol) and even the skin just seems more healthy, when one drinks this much water.

I guess I'm not in danger of too much water, especially since I drink too much sodas and tea. But, I already make a lot of trips to the john. A gallon of water a day may keep me there every five minutes!

[tame]

...Splenda... My sister swears by the stuff.

Does she like it because it helps with weight, energy, taste, all of the above? Has she commented on whether she has more energy with splenda than with equal?

[tubebender]

I have tried the Diet Rite cola since you posted this thread and I must say that I like it.over the diet Pepsi. Splenda is also in a clear "sparkling beverage" called NAPA VALLEY. it is litely fruit flavored.

Howlin...I heard a ad for Splenda and it stated it was made from sugar. any clue what that means ?

[Howlin]

You're asking the wrong person.......LOL

But here: SPLENDA^® Brand Sucralose is made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar . Sucralose can be used virtually anywhere that sugar is used. It works well in a diverse range of food products, from carbonated and still beverages to candies and baked goods. SPLENDA^® Brand can also be used as a sweetening ingredient in both over-the-counter and prescription drug products, dietary supplements, medical foods, and commercially prepared meat and poultry products.

SPLENDA^® Brand Sucralose is produced in a patented, multi-step process that selectively replaces 3 hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule. The result is a sweetener that is exceptionally stable. The body does not recognize sucralose as a carbohydrate; its structure prevents it from being broken down for energy. Studies show that sucralose is non-caloric and does not raise blood glucose or serum insulin levels.

Although sucralose tastes like sugar, it is approximately 600 times sweeter than sugar . Because of this high sweetness level, only small amounts are required to sweeten foods. On the other hand, SPLENDA^® Brand is not so intensely sweet as to cause homogeneity problems in formulating.

From here

[Howlin]

I honestly like it better than sugar.

[Marie Antoinette]

Hi Nan!! We're low-carb here, and I make berry smoothies, we love them. Even the kids!

For Kevin and I, I start with a handful of ice cubes and a scoop or two of a Vanilla flavored Whey Protein Powder in the blender (I use EAS brand which my local Wal Mart carries and it is sweetened with stevia). Then I add water to cover ice and something creamy - either a dab of whipping cream or plain yogurt. Dump in handful of berries of your choice (I use blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries - frozen works great). Pulse until it's nice and thick! If too thick add a little more liquid. Add some sweetener if the berries made it too tart, then whirl that in too.

It's awesome and very filling!

[tame]

To underscore Howlin's post #225, exdemmom corrected restornu about Splenda at post #193:

restornu: Splenda is not really fake it is derives from sugar with the part that spikes the insulin removed!

exdemmom: There is nothing removed; it is a sucrose molecule covalently bonded to a chlorine molecule; since the body cannot metabolize chlorine compounds, it passes through undigested. It cannot induce an increase in the level of insulin since it is not processed in the body.

I cannot vouch for all this since I haven't researched it enough, but it sounds good.

[Marie Antoinette]

We use coconut oil in my household, along with olive oil and butter. There is nothing wrong with virgin coconut oil, it contains medium chain fatty acids which are beneficial. Coconut oil has gotten a bad rap because it has been hydrogenated in most processed foods.

However, I *rarely* see coconut oil listed in ANY processed foods anymore, they are more likely to contain partially hydrogenated soybean oil.

Just my two cents :-)

[tame]

As you can probably tell by reading the thread, I have an energy problem. I cannot stay awake for long, and I sleep a LOT.

I'm hoping that a side effect of switching to Splenda from Aspartame might be more energy level (some have written that Aspartame seemed to reduce their enrgy level). Have you noticed this?

[tame]

We use coconut oil in my household...

A friend of mine has been looking for coconut oil everywhere including Trader Joe's, grocery stores, GNC, etc. She cannot find it! Where can we get the coconut oil?

[Marie Antoinette]

If I must use a sweetener, I use Splenda, BUT for iced tea we use Sweet'n'Low. It takes ONLY a measuring teaspoon (okay, slightly heaped) to sweeten a whole gallon of my raspberry iced tea (big family!). If you like your tea really sweet, you may need 2. It really tastes fine, unless you're eating other sugary (real sugar) things with it.

[tame]

Where can we find cocnut oil?

[dljordan]

Get off the Aspertame! They're finding out all kinds of nasty things about it. There's a research book about it but I can't remember the name. I made my wife stop using it. About the fatigue; have a blood test done to check for Hepatitus C. Lots of people have it and don't know it.

[tame]

have a blood test done to check for Hepatitus C.

I already ruled that out with a blood test. I may get mire tests, though.

[tame]

ping

[Tiffany]

I have shopped for the coconut oil, but I've yet to find it. Which stores carry it?

[Marie Antoinette]

Sorry it took so long to get to the end :-)

I buy mine online since I live in a mostly rural area, and most coconut oil in stores is RBD (refined, bleached, deodorized).

http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com
or
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com

Both of these sites also have a lot of info about coconut oil.

[Marie Antoinette]

Hi, I buy mine online. I posted the links in #238

[AmericanVictory]

Big bump!