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]

I usually put a LOT of sweetener (Nutrasweet, Equal--aspartame) in my lipton tea. I mean, like 16 packs in an 8 ounce glass. No joke. In your opinions, is splenda as sweet or sweeter than Nutrasweet/Equal?

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

SamAdams76 gave you some good advice in his post. Olive oil is considered one of the best oils to eat. It is a "healthy" oil, giving you the good fats necessary to protect your heart, skin, neurological and other functions. It will help raise your good cholesterol and lower your bad cholesterol.

BTW, I am Italian and the classic Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest ways to eat.

[Milwaukee_Guy]

"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? "

100 to 200 packets of Aspartame a day?! You -are- addicted. Aspartame is probably the -worst- sweetener you can use.

- Drink Diet-Rite cola. It has Splenda. (I prefer Michelob Ultra myself but you seem to be a cola drinker.)

-Do- try the Atkins diet. -Do- read the Atkins paperback.

[maxwell]

(Marlboros are really dry IMHO, but to each his own

Well I'll tell ya, I used to smoke Camel menthol lights. God knows why. I guess I had a death wish. ;) Anyhoo I cain't remember how I got onto Marlboro it's been that far back, but I stuck with 'em ever since... Gots to have my Marlboros... I was over in Germany for a conference the other year and ran out of my stash in a hurry (hey, 3 packs a day will do that to ya), had to buy Marlboros made in Germany-- weird taste and a colored filter. Damndest thing.

[SamAdams76]

Along with the health benefits of olive oil I already discussed in my last reply, olive oil also contains antioxidents,is cholesterol free and helps reduce harmful cholesterol levels is rich in vitamin E and helps the digestive system to function more efficiently.

Olive oil has been part of our culture ever since civilization began in ancient Greece. I am just helping to carry on thousands of years of tradition! (Speaking of ancient tradition, pass the wine!)

[tame]

HOw much olive oil a week is recommended, and how should I use it? For instance, would it be good to put some olive oil on chicken breast after I broil the chicken breast?

[restornu]

If you are losing inches and gaining weight it means you are losing fat and building muscles!

I think Suezanne Somers has the best knowledge on food combination.

Proteins,Fats & Vegs

Carbs & Vegs

never the twian shall meet:)

Fruits by it self!

Suzanne Somers' Fast and Easy: Lose Weight the Somersize Way with Quick, Delicious Meals for the Entire Family!

[tame]

- Drink Diet-Rite cola. It has Splenda. (I prefer Michelob Ultra myself but you seem to be a cola drinker.)

I tried Diet Rite for the first time this week. I LOVE it! It does not have that bitter after taste that diet coke has.

I'm a little leary of the atkins diet, though. I will read the book:-)

[SamAdams76]

Well I just make sure I have it on something at least once a day. If I have rice or cous-cous, I pour a tablespoon or two over that. Otherwise, over fish, chicken or any vegetable is fine. Sometimes when I have fresh bread (not too often), I'll pour olive oil into a dish and add some garlic and basil. Then I'll push the bread around on that. Delicious! The sardines I eat everyday are packed in olive oil so even if I eat out, I still get at least a little olive oil.

Like anything else, too much olive oil is probably not a good thing. It is still fat, after all. I can tell you that my cholesterol is now at 185 at my last checkup. It used to be well over 240 before I started having olive oil all the time.

[restornu]

Atkins is the father of high pro low carb diet!

Yet Somers has many who lost over 100's lbs. and had a varity of foods just not in the same setting!

To me it is the most practical!

[nobdysfool]

My suggestion would be to look into a product called Body Balance by Life Force International. I started taking it 4 years ago, and within a week, I had more energy, felt better, and lost my craving for sweets and junk food. Over time, I lost weight, and had more energy than I had had in years. It works, and that's the truth! Check out their website at Life Force

I will also add that I'm one of the many people who has a bad reaction to Aspartame. It gives me splitting headaches, and a bad stomachache. I avoid it religiously because of that. It's bad for you. Think about it. It's a chemical your body doesn't quite know what to do with, unlike natural sugars, which your body knows and uses. Same with pharmaceutical vitamins, and other man-made substitutes for natural foods. I grew up on a farm, eating organically grown fresh fruits and vegetables, and I know it made a huge difference in my formative years. What you get in the grocery store is not even close, and you sure can't get good nutrition from anything in a can. Do yourself a favor and get Body Balance, try it for a month, and see what it does for you. Also, spend the money and buy orgaincally grown produce grown locally, and if you can, start growing your own. It will make a difference!

[tame]

I'll definitely try it! Thanks!

[tame]

Thanks!

[Freedom2specul8]

Carbonation could drain calcium from your bones.

"The researchers, (from the Osteoporosis Research Center at Creighton University), found that excess urinary excretion of calcium occurred only when the carbonated beverages consumed contained caffeine. At least one earlier study had suggested that caffeine consumption can have a deleterious effect on bone health if not counteracted by sufficient calcium. The Creighton researchers found that the caffeine effect they say was balanced by less excretion of calcium later in the day so that the net result was only a negligible loss of calcium. This led them to conclude that any effect on bone associated with carbonated drinks would stem from lowered calcium intake due to displacement of milk as a beverage. Incidentally, this study was sponsored by the dairy industry, which would have had an interest in the opposite result."

http://health.yahoo.com/health/expert/drweil/archive/confused_about_carbonation_.html

[tame]

Thanks for the other viewpoint:-)

[PeaceBeWithYou]

Here's another product I like RealSalt

RealSalt is unrefined, pure, and all natural. Other salts are bleached, refined, and filled with silicates, dextrose, and other chemicals.

[tame]

Thanks, again. I guess even too much RealSalt would not be healthy. Is it healthier to try to cut out salt altogether?

[Ditter]

Splenda contains Maltodextrin & Sucralose. Maltodextrin is a flavor enhancer & contains glutamate. MSG (monosodium glutamate) is a flavor enhancer & it causes my heart to go crazy. I bought some Splenda but I haven't gotten around to trying it so I don't know if it will cause me to have a reaction like MSG.

[restornu]

Thanks, again. I guess even too much RealSalt would not be healthy. Is it healthier to try to cut out salt altogether?

Sugar & Salt over kill!

You sound like a chemical imbalance? Women crave that when there is hamone trouble, sweets and salty food just before the period starts.

It could be female trouble I would get a check up!

BTW RealSalt is good for you in moderation:)

[goodnesswins]

Or...try SEA SALT!