Sugar substitutes: Good for weight loss?

Sugar substitutes were brought to light during the World War II, when sugar was being rationed. But, it wasn’t made popular until the sixties when researchers realized the importance of weight control and calorie intake, in relation to diabetes.

Fast forward a few decades, and they’re so popular that manufacturers are always inventing new ones, due to high demand from consumers.

Most people who drink diet sodas think that they’re “doing their body good” by choosing the “diet” option, but these drinks usually don’t contain any other significant nutrients, and can therefore make you more hungry. Isn’t that counterproductive to your weight loss journey?

According to an article published by Everyday Health, “As part of an overall healthy diet, sugar substitutes are believed to reduce calories and the risk of cavities. Interestingly, controlled studies that compare weight loss between people who use sugar substitutes and those who consume sugar show very little difference in weight loss between the two groups, although over the long term, sugar substitutes can help maintain weight loss.”

As someone who used to be a lover of diet soda, I can say that the aspartame that these companies use to sweeten their “diet” drinks is highly addictive. Most who drink soda on a regular basis are addicted to the caffeine, but those who drink diet usually drink much more than those who don’t. (This all comes from my own experiences with myself, and others.)

In my childhood, my family was very health conscious. My father enjoyed educating us on the importance of eating right, and there was even a time that we cut out sugar altogether. During this time, we experimented with different sugar substitutes.

Honey was our usual go-to, after trying a few artificial sweeteners and disliking the taste. But after we discovered agave nectar, which is extracted from cactus. It was all we used.

These days, it’s all about coconut sugar. Coconut sugar is sweet and good for you when used in moderation. It is easy on blood sugar levels and contains essential nutrients as well. It may be the only sugar you need, as it is very versatile.

Remember, weight control is all about energy. Burn more energy than you take in and your weight will drop. When considering sweeteners, opt for natural sweeteners, and keep track of your calories.

Sources:

Sugar Substitutes — What’s Their Real Value? – Weight Center – Everyday Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/sugar-free-substitutes.aspx