[SenseAndSensibility]

I used to drink a lot of soda and juice. I cut that out to have unsweetened tea and water instead to help me on my fitness. It was hard, but it worked for me! Now I only have a coke once every blue moon at the movies or a gingerale when I'm sick. I don't drink really any juice. Occasionally though, I'll get a vitamin water like Karma with stevia extract in it at the gas station. Another thing I drink on occasion that I love is Aloe Vera drinks (with the bits of Aloe Vera pulp...So good!). I'm sure it's full of unnecessary extra sugar so I don't get them often (they aren't even widely available anyway) but the other day I was grocery shopping and saw a 2.5 litre bottle of Aloe Vera drink on sale and thought "Why not treat myself?" I was super excited when, on the label, I noticed that they didn't add any sugar! Bonus!!! So I greedily grabbed a half dozen bottles. Too good to be true!!!

When I got home after having a glass, I was surprised by how sweet it still tasted and then proceeded to read the ingredients label properly. Last on the list I found my culprit: sucralose. I also realized the drink was not only sugar free but zero calories. I just bought the terrible 'diet' aloe vera juice.

Thing is though, I know a lot of people still drink diet sodas and the like despite the sucralose. And I really love Aloe Vera juice. And I bought six bottles. Is it really gonna harm me that badly to drink a glass a day along side my unsweetened tea? I know having a glass of that means I'm drinking one glass less water in its stead. But the tea I drink is nothing but tea leaves, I don't add anything to it at all. Is it really going to harm me that much? And Aloe Vera supposed to be good for you, right???

[Sundove]

S & S There are all sorts of opinions out there about sucralose. It might be harmful. But there is loads of evidence that carrying extra weight is harmful, for most of us anyway.

I consumed a lion's share of flavor-enhanced water while getting my weight down. It made it tolerable to stick to my diet and I never missed my minimum 2 liters/day of water--with the flavor enhancer. I've had no problem with it in the few years I've consumed it other than it's very sweet & can trigger cravings for more sweets.

That said, everyone is different in how they are affected. Your drink sounds good, and I've read good things about aloe vera. Never tried it though. Hope this helps, and best wishes to you!

[Defining]

What Sundove said.

I kinda feel like artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols can almost be treated like sugar itself: a little is probably A-OK, a lot could very well make you feel like crap (depending on your individual metabolism) and potentially affect your insulin response (depending on which research you're reading).

[Treasa]

Bodies are so different that I don't think anyone can give you a set answer. Personally, I don't take any diet products. I was at one time addicted to nutrasweet. I find that artificial sweeteners mess with my blood sugar and they stall my weight loss. And since I'm on a nature is best kick, I'd be more inclined to have actual sugar than diet stuff anyway. BUT, my husband drinks diet soda and teas without a problem and the weight falls off him anyway. If I were you, I'd keep my eye on things and see how it goes. If you find that you're cravings for sweet things increase or your weight loss stalls, then maybe you should stop.

[Thousandsunny]

I'll still treat myself to diet Pepsi and diet Coke as well as some drinks with sucralose. The only thing I find is that it really does up my cravings for more sweet stuff and it does stall me sometimes. Overall, I'll keep it to a treat now and then if we go out to eat. As far as the science behind it goes, at this point, I feel like everything out there is on some list or another. Personally, I think a treat of a few bottles of Aloe juice is fine as long as you can fit it in your day. (Or, for me, if I can make it fit my macros.)

[SenseAndSensibility]

I'm not worried about it increasing my desire for sweet things. I crave them anyway, but I also let myself have sweet things. Just fit it in my diet by not eating too much. I know some people have to cut it out completely, but I can't function like that. I need to know a cookie is in my future without it being a sin. It keeps me from binge eating treats, which is what happens when I cut it out. I also, when I move to maintenance, want a diet that's sustainable and not drastically different.

I have it so I might as well drink it now. But I'll keep a close eye and see what it does to me before I even consider buying more.

[Margot]

Hello Fellow Canadian , I wanted to give my general 2 cents on sucralose:

I agree it varies from person to person. I remember reading that it would increase my cravings for sweet things and thinking 'I am already craving it'.

I gave it up for 10 days, and I have to say, it was the best thing I could have done. My physical cravings stopped completely ( I still have some emotional attachment for sweets, but that is a topic for another discussion) and I felt better, no mood swings, more energy.


After this break I had a piece of sugar free gum and felt one of the worst headaches of my life. Days later, I had a sip of diet cola and the headache came back. Listening to my body, it was clear.

With that said, I know people who have it and are fine. I would really suggest maybe cutting it out and seeing how you react.


Also, congratulations on the hard work !