I've noticed in some recipes that were posted, that people don't mind using Splenda and other artificial sweetners.
I'm of the mind that artificial sweetners are very bad for you, and don't like to use them at all. Once every few weeks I may have a diet soda, otherwise I totally avoid them.
What do you guys think? I know aspartame is BAD and studies are now showing that. Saccharin may be a little better, but still not good. Splenda is the best of the bunch, but many have concerns over it's safety too and I agree.
It's my pessimistic view that big food companies that make sodas and other "diet" products lobby so that artificial sweetners don't get totally pulled off the market. They have been pulled off the shelves in other countries for health reasons.
I'll get off my pedestal now.....

Carole

I use to be concerned also. The food and drug administration made a lot of changes back in the 70's. They removed an ingredient known as cyclamate, which they felt would cause cancer in humans. (This is just a mere example of studies and changes they have made)

They also have a study with aspartame saying it's linked to breast cancer. EVERYTHING can give you cancer if you listen to the news/study reports given each day on every product out on the market.

Headlines read: "Chocolate is linked to Cancer…Coming up next at 5 o’clock!" "Why eating peanuts can ruin your complexion…Coming up next at 5 o’clock!" "Old lady eats pie, May be linked to Cance…Coming up next at 5 o’clock!"

Geeze, too much to worry about right?

There are still valid concerns and I am not mocking them. I say use portion control and you will be fine. Keep track of how much you take in a day. I try to keep myself under 2 packs of equal a day. Not for any reason besides, "it tastes so good, must be bad for you," kind of thing.

Hope this helps!

Trouble with these sweeteners is that sodas and such contain SO MUCH. I've read enough studies to have totally stopped consuming aspartame (nutrasweet). I usedta depend on Diet Coke when I went to movies, in particular. I was on a sucralose (splenda) kick for a while since Diet Rite colas are also caffeine free, which was good for me - didn't do well on that kick! So now I'm off sodas entirely. Sticking to fresh lemonade/limeade with stevia and crushed ice. Great summer refreshment! Also, of course, iced tea with stevia - I like the liquid kind because it doesn't cake up.

Jinx

One of the big things I decided when I started the Zone was that I was going to get rid of all of the artificial, processed stuff in my diet. I basically switched to an entirely organic wholefoods diet, so that took out all of the artificial sweeteners. For me, the saftey concerns of processed foods in general lead to a decision to get back to basics.