Diet Sweeteners Can Make You Sick and Fat

If you just picked up a six pack of your favorite diet drink, you may want to find your receipt and take them back.

That’s becasue of information released in two new studies, presented at a meeting of the American Diabetes Association in San Diego.

“Data from this and other prospective studies suggest that the promotion of diet sodas as healthy alternatives may be ill-advised” Dr. Helen Hazuda, professor of medicine at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, said in a written statement. “They may be free of calories, but not of consequences.”

Remember that sugar is a simple carbohydrate. It is quickly processed by the body, will cause that sugar rush and drop you on your butt just as fast. Our bodies function much better with complexed carbohydrates. Whole grains, beans, things of that sort. They fill up quicker, they take longer for our bodies to process, they stabilize our blood sugar level and provide a steady level of energy. Bottom line, a little artificial sweetener in conjunction with a healthy balanced diet won't make you fat or go off on crazy eating binges.

The thing that makes people fat is unused carbs. Glucose. Fructose. Artificial sweeteners compound the problem by doing little to satisfy your sense of hunger. It throws of your sugar metabolism and your pancreas. Insulin is thrown off balance. As such, people have a tendency to consume more calories, especially in the form of carbs. This doesn't include any possible nerve damage caused by artificial sweeteners.

Add to the fact that only the liver can metabolize fructose, then the body gets even more backed up if it has to deal with medications and alcohol.

Tips for Veggie Haters

Vegetables are one of those foods people either love or hate. The problem with hating vegetables is that they are arguably the most health-promoting food group on the planet. If you aren't eating vegetables, you aren't getting all their amazing components like fiber, antioxidants, and other powerful phytochemicals.

So what's a veggie-hater to do? People who think they hate vegetables can definitely learn to embrace this colorful food group. But before we talk tips, we need to understand what causes some people to scatter when broccoli is served.

Vegetables are one of those foods people either love or hate. The problem with hating vegetables is that they are arguably the most health-promoting food group on the planet. If you aren't eating vegetables, you aren't getting all their amazing components like fiber, antioxidants, and other powerful phytochemicals.

So what's a veggie-hater to do? People who think they hate vegetables can definitely learn to embrace this colorful food group. But before we talk tips, we need to understand what causes some people to scatter when broccoli is served.

Load your salads with all the veggies you enjoy (or at least tolerate). The options are limitless, including cucumber, grated carrots, zucchini, tomato, broccoli or green beans. You can even use spinach leaves instead of lettuce.

Other preparations: steaming, stir frying (quick cooking in oil in a very hot pan), grilling (cut in thin "slabs", oil, grill 5-10 minutes per side), "shish ka-bob" (skewer, oil and grill - works for small roundish veggies like small tomatoes, mushrooms), stewing (low heat, long time), crockpot, and more. I also like vegetables that have been cooked then chilled with a light salad dressing. There's also raw with light ranch or blue cheese dressing as dip. Or plain. Cooked in soup or pureed. Also pureed and hidden in pasta sauce.

Try vegetables you haven't tasted before. If you didn't like a veggie steamed, try it stir fried. Keep trying. If you don't like broccoli florets, try the stems.