A word of warning re fillings and chewing gum... This would mainly apply to the over 50 crowd I suspect.

I found the xylitol sweetened chewing gum quite handy on my way down the weight ladder. It was a convenient distraction if I felt a yearning to eat something sweet, and I just grew used to it. UNTIL... the day came when I felt a big chunk missing outta one of my teeth, and there in the chewy was a piece of filling plus tooth. Ulp. Quite common, according to my dentist, as he fixed my tooth and handed me a whacking great bill.

I don't like to be the harbinger of bad news, but thought some of you might like to know.