My Apologies!
And, Thanks Koala, for mentioning this.
I forgot to put in my first note, that I had just read (what seemed to be) an informative article on the 'net about artificial sweeteners, and what they consist of, and how they're made.
I suppose we could all search this out.
What I got from it, was that almost everyone who uses these 'sweeteners' gain weight. And, it pushes the RSD pain (neurological pain, higher).

I have an RSD friend who not only drinks arti sweetened stuff, but buys a big bag of the sweetener monthly. (I couldn't use that much real sugar, in a year)!

I'm Polish, and my mother was a fine cook, and baker. So, I do have a sweet tooth. She passed, and my father became diabetic. Gone, were the pastries and cakes. And, I was forced to 'really think' about what I was eating.
I remember back then, the fake sugar (saccharin) and especially butter, the butter! Darn, I couldn't get it to melt in the pan, just fer to fry an egg! It would slip right out from under the eggs! Scrambled, every time!

Anyways,
Now, we have 'Smart Balance', recomended by CReports, and, it's real good!
No Hydrogenated stuff!

As for sweeteners, we'er simply not there yet!
We simply need to 'tone down' our senses and enjoy things that aren't so sweet. I have a leg up on that, thanks to Dad, I don't add sugar to anything except 'Tea'. I started with 'Sugar in the Raw', from Hawaii, it's still got the molasses in it, it's not quite brown sugar, but, it's not so highly manufactured to be junk.
Now, I've been spending time and money alot @ Amazon.com
You can get from them, what's NOT local to you.

I got a few large bottles of 'Tupelo Honey', as I remember having it about a decade ago. It's not just a song folks, it's made from the 'Tupelo' flower, down in the swamps of FLA, and LA. The beekeepers will often put their bee hives out on little barges, that float through the swamps. This is the REAL sweetener, but, it is expensive. Don't matter to me, since I lost my sweet tooth. But, it I highly recommend it to anyone, sweet tooth or no, to try it.
You can buy a little bottle, or gallons, by the case!
I bought three bottles, 22 oz. each, gifted one, and the two I have left will last me for six months at least, since it's the only sweetener I use now!
Even in cooking.

Just search
tupelo honey
@ amazon.com
They're great too, because once you hit 25 dollars, shipping is free, it might take five days, but then you get a surprise!


Again, my apologies for not referring to the article I read, ,and tomorrow, I'll try to find it in my browser history, and post it up here.

Thanks for all you opinions.

Bottom line:
Artificial sweeteners, are carcinogenic, and taste terrible. Don't be fooled into thinking that 'chemicals' are good for you.
On the other hand,
'Smart Balance spread' is non hydrogenated, and actually good for you, but all things in moderation!
(Including, Moderation. Hah!)

Good Health and Feelings, to All my dear friends here!


Pete

[QUOTE=AintSoBad;708645]Or,
Using anything like aspartame (sp), actually buying it, and using it in coffee/ tea?

I'm understanding, (I know that for myself, that it's absolutely wicked, dastardly stuff). I have arguments with some rsd friends about it.

What do Ya'll think?

If you need stuff THAT sweet, something's wrong, IMHO.
All I need is a little dash of honey in my tea. (can't drink coffee, it's too much caffeine)!
So, I find that lots of my rsd friends, make up for it with artificial sweeteners.
What in the world good is that?
Yet, they won't use something as good for you as 'Smart Balance', which is much better than butter, but they moan that 'it's not real'!

Huh?
I just don't get it?

Can ya'll gimme some insight?

Thanks!

Pete

asb[/QUOTE
ok i was told to stay a way from the only safe thing for us is Splenda my dr say if going to drink diet has to be Splenda not thing esle not sure if spelled it right

I'm allergic to honey, get many problems with aspartame, and with Splenda. I haven't read anything that makes me want to use it. If I can use 4 or 5 tsp of sugar a day, that's not even 100 calories. I do use butter, but it takes a while to use the stick because I only use it on my toast at breakfast. I cook with olive oil.

I do use the pink stuff in my iced tea, have for more than 50 years.
stay warm today
pat e

I believe that it is a fructose sugar that is digested the same as the fructose in sodas and juices. It is not a natural product but manufactured with chemical processing and all that goes with it.

I dont like soda but im crazy about Crystal Light type of drinks, i drink them all day to stay hydrated. i can tolerate plain water but dont love it. I buy what ever brand is cheapest and at Walmart they have a store brand in lots of flavors, also Hawiian punch makes several flavors, all are made with Splenda and in my store they are a little hard to find because they dont put them with juice or water, they put them next to the nuts of all places...go figure, its Walmart!
Lori