Xylitol's supposed to have some benefits in killing bad mouth bacteria, too.

I've been reading up on excitotoxins for a while - it's pretty scary stuff. It's almost as hard to avoid MSG and its variations as it is to stay out of HFCS.

One other suggestion for those trying to cut the sweeteners out of their coffee - give it a little shot of a good cinnamon. Cinnamon is gaining value as a blood-sugar regulator, and there's very little breakfast food that it doesn't work with (ok, maybe not eggs!).

I guess I can count myself as lucky as I don't like my tea sweet (hot or cold). A little lemon in cold tea is great, but I'll drink it without as well. I'm in love with Irish Breakfast blend, but will do plain Lipton without qualms. I've never really been one to like the flavored teas--including Chai. I just don't "get" chai.

ICU, I love the taste of cinnamon in my coffee, but it never dissolves.

Julie, I'll share my secret on that one because you and I share the higher fat requirements ... while I can deal with cinnamon floating on top of coffee, when I'm in the mood for the "good" (read, RARE!) stuff, I blend 1/4 tsp cinnamon with 1Tbsp of heavy whipping cream, and 1Tbsp of Penzey's natural high fat cocoa in the bottom of the cup, and then add in the coffee. The cinnamon seems to suspend in the cream and distribute more evenly. The Tbsp of cocoa is only 15 calories, the coffee is nuthin', and the bit of cream is 52. Half and half might work - I've never tried it. Beats the heck out of the expensive custom coffees!

Hmmm, I gave up artificial sweetners - i.e. in my case diet coke/pepsi, about a year ago. I've always drunk my coffee blackand my tea with a smidge of milk (and forget iced tea - shudder - can't stand it). So now basically all I drink is water, coffee, tea and wine. And I have a smoothie/protein shake made with almond milk 1-2 times a week. I almost never drink any kind of juice.

Interesting the connection between artificial sweetners and MS. Another reason not to use them - besides for me the taste. I tried all the products: puddings, hot chocolate, yogurt, and I could always taste the artificial sweetners, so I eat less or none of the stuff sweetened with sugar/honey, etc.

Sounds yum.

I do put up with the floating cinnamon too. I just wish it didn't do that.

When I started losing weight in April 2008, I was having a latte every morning. But now I seem to just have it as a treat one or two times a week. I didn't change on purpose, I just kinda stopped wanting it every day.