Next to Valentine’s Day and possibly Easter, Christmas is one of the sweetest times of the year.  As you pull out your favorite tried and true recipes and feast your eyes on all the mouthwatering deserts, think about how you’ll sweeten your treats.  If you’ve decided to drop some sugar out of your life there are alternatives that will sweeten the deal in a much healthier way.  However, beware of sweeter than sweet and potentially dangerous sugar alternatives that line the grocery store shelves in single packs and bulk packages.  They are not always a good deal.  It’s true that you’re not gaining any calories, (zero calories, in most cases), but the tradeoff is you’re gaining a wild array of chemicals that get ingested into your body.  Man-made chemicals are the boulders (not building blocks) in the false sugars that could eventually crush your health. 
As with any change in your diet, take into consideration the current state of your health and consult your physician, especially if you are taking medications.  The common sense that God gave us should guide us to keep things as natural as possible concerning what we put on and into our bodies.  There weren’t any little pink, blue or yellow packets in the Garden, were there?  Remember, naturally occurring sugars found in fruits, honey, molasses, turbinado (raw sugar) and stevia are reasonable alternatives for most people, especially in moderation.  Do your research first!
A suggested ingredient to identify, then avoid, in alternative sweeteners and sweet things that claim to be ‘sugar free’, is aspartame.  Do your own research online or at your local library.  Ask a trusted doctor and find the hard facts that exist about this and another chemicals associated with aspartame.  Browsing many sites online has resulted in a mixed message on whether or not aspartame is safe.  I kept finding articles that talked about possible side effects such as seizures, tremors, headaches, skin problems, joint stiffness and muscle pains, fatigue and breathing problems, depression, insomnia, and numbness or tingling of extremities to name a few.  I’ve also read claims that aspartame is associated with formaldehyde.  It’s important to also understand the source of the information.  As you browse articles, consider who is making positive promotional claims and who is discrediting the chemical in question. Obviously, an industry or company that manufactures a product is going to promote it, due to a vested interest. Other sources simply report scientific facts and provide personal testimonials in some cases, so that you can decide for yourself if a product is right for you or not.  You will see arguments for and against this chemical, but decide for yourself if you want to use it to sweeten your holiday treats. 
Keep on looking for those hidden sugars in everyday foods, including chewing gum, prepared foods and beverages.  Reducing sugar intake could not only extend your life; it could preserve or improve your overall health.  Once you wean yourself off an abundance of sugar, consuming just a little will go a long way.

Posted under Health