Why use sweeteners at all?

[Guest guest]

I discontinued the use of sweeteners many years ago, even before starting Calorie Restriction.

I do not use any sweeteners in coffee or tea, or on cereal, or in cooking.

I found that after discontinuing sweetening my food for about two to three weeks, then if I tasted sweetened food it tasted funny - TOO sweet!

So it's a matter of giving oneself the time necessary to make the taste perception adjustment, which I understand is about two weeks.

Same with red meats. After not eating red meat for a period of time, now when I taste some it tastes very fatty and greasy and unpleasant to my tongue. Leaves a terrible greasy aftertaste on my pallette.

So, instead of using chemicals to replace raw sugar, why not just discontinue using sweeteners altogether?

Get your sugars from eating fruits in the morning.

I have steered clear of all artificial sweeteners and never have to worry about their potential side effects or dangers.

I must confess to an addiction to ice cream (with its sweeteners or sugars) over the years. I have tried to control this by freezing grapes and bananas and using those as desserts. Also frozen fruit juice bars or sorbets. At least I am drastically reducing my intake of sugars while still getting the pleasures of taste from these unsweetened desserts.

When I saw " Super Size Me " and the segment at the end in which the creator graphically demonstrates the quantity of sugars in Mc's food, even in their " healthy " salads, I cringe to think we are a society addicted to sweet flavors so much we won't eat anything that hasn't been sugared!

My father, who was a non-professional cook, but who learned to cook from professionals, put " a little pinch of sugar " in almost everything he cooked for the family! This is the way we grow up - on sugar!

I don't necessarily intend to turn this into a discussion of addictions, but would be interested in others' comments about sweeteners and their risks.

Wallace Dickson

wdickson@...

(202) 265-0591

[Guest guest]

The use of any sweetener or condiment is habit, ie, learned. Changing that habit(lifestyle) is the major problem.

Regards.

----- Original Message -----

From: Wallace Dickson

Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 7:55 AM

Subject: [ ] Why use sweeteners at all?

I discontinued the use of sweeteners many years ago, even before starting Calorie Restriction. I do not use any sweeteners in coffee or tea, or on cereal, or in cooking. I found that after discontinuing sweetening my food for about two to three weeks, then if I tasted sweetened food it tasted funny - TOO sweet!

So it's a matter of giving oneself the time necessary to make the taste perception adjustment, which I understand is about two weeks.

Same with red meats. After not eating red meat for a period of time, now when I taste some it tastes very fatty and greasy and unpleasant to my tongue. Leaves a terrible greasy aftertaste on my pallette.

So, instead of using chemicals to replace raw sugar, why not just discontinue using sweeteners altogether? Get your sugars from eating fruits in the morning. I have steered clear of all artificial sweeteners and never have to worry about their potential side effects or dangers.

I must confess to an addiction to ice cream (with its sweeteners or sugars) over the years. I have tried to control this by freezing grapes and bananas and using those as desserts. Also frozen fruit juice bars or sorbets. At least I am drastically reducing my intake of sugars while still getting the pleasures of taste from these unsweetened desserts.

When I saw "Super Size Me" and the segment at the end in which the creator graphically demonstrates the quantity of sugars in Mc's food, even in their "healthy" salads, I cringe to think we are a society addicted to sweet flavors so much we won't eat anything that hasn't been sugared!

My father, who was a non-professional cook, but who learned to cook from professionals, put "a little pinch of sugar" in almost everything he cooked for the family! This is the way we grow up - on sugar!

I don't necessarily intend to turn this into a discussion of addictions, but would be interested in others' comments about sweeteners and their risks.

Wallace Dicksonwdickson@... (202) 265-0591