Equal or Splenda....

[PinK233]

I was told at work today that Equal may cause an insulin spike...is this true?? I use it everyday!! What's the difference between Equal and Splenda??

 

[=w=]

Equal:Splenda::Aspartame:Sucralose

 

[gymtime]

The only difference is taste.

 

[Complete Muscle]

I don't think either of these would cause any sort of an insulin spike:

Sucralose is the only non-caloric sweetener made from sugar. Sucralose is derived from sugar through a multi-step patented manufacturing process that selectively substitutes three atoms of chlorine for three hydroxyl groups on the sugar molecule. This change produces a sweetener that has no calories, yet is 600 times sweeter than sucrose. I allegedly passes through the digestive system unchanged.

Aspartame is made from two amino acids (protein components) -- L-phenylalanine and L-aspartic acid. Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener which is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose. I believe it is broken down by the body into its amino acid components.

 

[pumped55]

i've heard that Stevia (which can be purchased at health food stores is one of the best substitues for sugar) anyone want to clarify this for me?

 

[MWB]

Stevia is probably the healthiest, I just don't like the taste of it. Splenda tastes just like sugar to me and it doesn't lose it's sweetness when you cook with it like aspartame does.

 

[moosecles]

can someone tell me what equal is, im assuming its some sort of powder, maybe a flavoured powder to add taste to shakes? someone shed some light for me

 

[rnch]

i have tried them both in coffee, iced tea, over oatmeal and bran flakes; they both taste about the same to me, but the aspartame products are a LOT cheaper!

 

[fawnmarie]

I can only speak from personal experience, but *I* do get insulin spikes from aspartame. I'm hypoglycemic, so I can really tell when I'm getting an insulin flood. It doesn't happen EVERY time, but often enough so that I avoid it. I've spoken with other low-carb dieters that can't tolerate the stuff, or that it stalls their weight loss.

Aspartame is also said to convert to some really nasty chemicals when heated to body temp. It is rumored to cause brain damage. Also, doesn't keep it's sweet taste when you cook it.

I use saccharin - recently proven to NOT cause cancer as previously assumed for cold drinks/food and coffee, as it is EXTREMELY cheap.

I use splenda for cooking/baking or for when sugar-taste is REALLY important (like on grapefruit) and the saccharin bitterness would be too much.

Splenda is cheapest and lowest carb in the bulk box. I get the box for less than $3.50, usually.

Fawn

 

[hesselite]

aspartame sucks. aspartame is a carcinogen... it's been proven, and if you do a search on google for it and you'll find many accounts of negative side effects of this substance. yeah, it's cheap, which is why diet drinks use it so much.

as for splenda... i haven't found any negative accounts in using this as a sugar substitute... but studies of long term usage are yet to be done. i'd trust it over aspartame, though... that's for damn sure.

stick with splenda... when you're 60 you'll be thanking yourself.

--Hess