Guide to Healthy Sweeteners
If it comes in a pink, yellow or blue packet, it's something you should avoid! Here's our guide to which sweeteners are good for you and which you should pass on.
Sweeteners to Use | Sweeteners to Avoid |
Stevia * | Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal, Canderel) |
Agave Nectar & Syrup | Neotame |
Evaporated Cane Juice | Sucralose (Splenda, Altern) |
Fruit Juice | Acesulfame-K (Sunette, Sweet & Safe, Sweet One) |
Rice Syrup | Cyclamates |
Honey | Saccharin |
Licorice Root (small amounts) | Refined Sugar ** |
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) | High Fructose Sweeteners ** |
Amasake | ... |
Vegetable Glycerin | ... |
Sugar Alcohols *** | ... |
Maple Syrup | ... |
Barley Malt | ... |
* Safe for Diabetics | |
What To Do About Artificial Sweeteners
Educate Yourself
Learn about the dangers of aspartame and Splenda (sucralose).
Protect Yourself
Completely stop ingesting them. Even a small amount is a slow poison. Check labels carefully for the word "aspartame." Please be aware that aspartame can be hidden in gum, candy, over-the-counter medications (under "inactive ingredients"), prescription medications (check with the pharmacist), sugar-containing foods, soups, supplements, and many other items. So, please read the label.
Use Healthy Sweeteners
Replace aspartame with healthier sweeteners listed in the chart above.
Share this Information with Others
Help get the word out. Tell your friends, co-workers, family members, and anyone you know who uses artificial sweeteners about the dangers of aspartame and sucralose, which are commonly known as NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, Sunette, Sweet One, Sweet & Safe, and Splenda.
Detoxing from Aspartame
Here are some guidelines for those who want to detoxify from mild to severe aspartame poisoning. (If highly severe, please visit your doctor).
1. Read ingredients of foods, candies, gum, and beverages. Avoid all the sweeteners in the "Avoid" column of our Healthy Sweetener Guide.
2. Since aspartame can be very addicting, it is not a good idea to cut out both aspartame and caffeine at the same time. Aspartame is far more toxic and should be eliminated immediately. Be aware that aspartame withdrawal symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
3. Avoid other excitotoxins in foods including MSG, monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed proteins, autolyzed yeast, yeast extract, and glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and cysteine supplements (which are often in "free-form" unlike when found in food). Many practitioners recommend taking a magnesium supplement (e.g., magnesium gluconate) to help overcome the excitotoxic damage from aspartame and MSG.
4. Drinks lots of plain, filtered water during this period. It will speed up the cleansing process.
5. Start a detox program.
6. Seek medical help if you feel your symptoms are serious. Healthcare practitioners who are often knowledgeable about aspartame poisoning include: Environmental Medicine Doctors, Holistic & Alternative Medicine Physicians and many conventional physicians, Oriental Medicine Doctors, Chiropractors, and Osteopaths.
7. Take good care of your self and be patient. It can take as much as 60 days without aspartame (and in more severe poisoning cases longer) before symptoms begin to improve.