(If you missed my first two articles on Aspartame, you may want to read about the benefits here and the side effects here.)
If you were consuming a lot of Aspartame before reading about its side effects, you may have decided that you want to cut this man-made sweetener from your diet. If you have decided to do so, think about the following pointers to make it easier for you to make the change from an artificial sweetener to a natural one.
The first thing to consider is to cut back slowly so that your body gets used to no longer ingesting it. If you currently add Aspartame to your tea or coffee, for example, cut the amount you use in half; then later on to one quarter; then to none. If you drink diet soda, reduce the amount you consume from maybe 4 cans to three, and so on.
It is also time to pay attention to your taste of sweet. When you wish to have something sweet, eat a little bit of it (without the Aspartame in it) – that slice of cake, or cookie, or the piece of chocolate. Think about about how much you are eating and make sure that the portion is small. Eat it slowly. Savour the taste and the sweetness of it. You will find that your sense of taste will tell you when you have had enough: all you have to do is listen to it.
Begin to read food labels. Remember you can find Aspartame in foods such as fat-free and sugar-free yoghurt, low calorie jams, salad dressings, candy, breath mints, cereals, sugar-free gum, cocoa mixes, instant breakfasts, desserts, and shake mixes. Take note that some drug and supplement manufacturers do not use the term Aspartame on their products. Instead they state that the product contains phenylalanine (this is an amino acid that has been isolated to create Aspartame). Therefore read the labels on those protein supplements as well.
Bear in mind it may take up to 60 days to rid your body Aspartame. Drinking lots of water will help your body to flush out the toxins. If you do not like drinking plain water, add a bit of lemon to it. Or make fresh fruit and vegetable juices at home (with no added sugar). While getting rid of this artificial sweetener from your body, you may experience some symptoms which may be uncomfortable such as: headaches, tiredness, food cravings, bad breath, or mucous discharge. These are signs that your body is at work eliminating the toxins. Take heart, it will end!
Have you consumed a lot of Aspartame? Do you think you will be able to eliminate this sweetener from your diet? What steps will you take?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
I don’t like the taste of the stuff, however, I had no clue about it being listed as a protein. Thanks!
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You are welcome Frank. If you find a protein shake without this chemical in it, you are welcome to share it.
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I quit drinking diet sodas with aspartame a few months ago. Now, when I want a soft drink I find one with cane sugar which, to me, is healthier and tastes better. As I watch my calories, I limit sugars and have no more than two soft drinks a week. My doctor told me that people who drink diet sodas consume about 400 more calories per day than people who do not – the aspartame seems to stimulate appetites. Thank you for sharing this with your readers.
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I would be interested to know which soft drink you consume that is sweetened with cane sugar.
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You can find coca cola with cane sugar and a version of Dr Pepper called Dublin Dr Pepper that uses cane sugar. Many soft drinks from Mexico such as Topo Chico use cane sugar. You can also find soft drinks sweetened with Stevia, mostly at stores such as Whole Foods
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It is as I thought. As I am not a soda drinker, I tend not to pay too much attention to them 🙂
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Other sweeteners I use include stevia and agave nectar.
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I have not tried those yet – though I have heard about them. I tend to stick to using honey as a sweetener – and cane sugar when I bake.
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I think the agave nectar has a lower glycemic index. To me, it is sweeter than honey.
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I really hate artificial sweeteners, glad I don’t like it!!
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Your taste buds know what is not good for you 🙂
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That stuff becomes more ‘As part a me’ than one would dream, and takes some getting rid of!
I have always preferred oldfashioned sugar, and of course honey.
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And in this case the old-fashioned way is definitely the best way!
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I have dranked diet drinks for 40 years. I had breast cancer in 2010 & I have sever headaches for three days every 4 to 6 weeks if not sooner. I use splenda in my coffee & still drink diet drinks. Could this be coming from these products?
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I recommend reading the book “Sweet Poison” by Dr Janet Hull. She describes how taking aspartame poisoned her and tells us the journey she took to heal herself.
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