I know I’ve spoken on Aspartame before but felt it was worth writing about it again. It grieves me to see people taking in this chemical as the long-term side effects can be detrimental to one’s health. This image created by Raw For Beauty lays it out nicely
Getting Back to Basics!
I believe it’s time for us to get back to basics. Basics of eating food the way God created it. I know that can be hard as “man” has so destroyed the health of food, but I’m not sure why we think chemicals are good for our bodies. God did not create our bodies to be nourished by chemicals. He’s given us an earth full of fruits, vegetables and even beef, chicken, pork, and fish to nourish our bodies. Chemicals are created by man … not God. I always encourage my clients to eat food as close to how God made it.
We need to come to the realization that all these food substitutes have been created not for our health but for their profits. Years ago, “fat” was bad. That was created by the sugar industry because when you take the fat out of food, it is tasteless. For that product to taste good, sugar was put in. Then we are told sugar is no good and you need to use chemical sweeteners.
Is Something Chemical Processed Better Than the Real Thing?
Years ago when I lived in Miami, my mother-in-law one day was freaking out about what she heard on the news about butter and how bad it was for you, and we should use margarine. Really something chemically processed was better than the real deal. She fell for it hook line and sinker. When I debated her and told her I didn’t believe butter was bad for you, it pushed her over the edge because she believed that if her son ate butter, he was going to have a heart attack. It’s amazing what the media can do to instill fear in people as they continue to lie to us and sadly, we fall for it.
But let’s get back to Aspartame. Do any of these side effects cause you to pause … at least a little?
- Decreased vision
- Headaches, migraines
- Epileptic seizures
- Severe depression
- Irritability
- Phobias
- Severe PMS
- Hyperactivity in children
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Birth defects
If you are suffering from some of the minor symptoms like irritability, headaches, severe PMS or even depression, consider strongly stopping the use of Aspartame. Don’t wait until it starts to manifest as MS or Fibromyalgia.
Is Aspartame a Great Sugar Substitute?
Also, we have been hood winked to believe that Aspartame is a great sugar substitute so it’s great for dieting. Do you know what else it does to your body? It tells it “I was just given sugar.” But then your body realizes it’s not sugar because it’s not turning to glucose, your body begins to crave sugar move and move. Keep track when you drink that Diet Coke or eat that snack with Aspartame. Do you crave more food? Stop confusing your body.
I know this can be a tough call for diabetics because they really need to remove sugar from their diet. But frankly we all need to remove sugar from our diets, not just diabetics.
Cutting Aspartame out of your diet could be hard for some. A way to start could be to stop one food supply per day for a week. Then after 7 or so days, remove a second thing you eat or drink that has Aspartame. I’ll bet your body feels the difference and feels much better.
Most people that have replaced sugar with Aspartame are overweight or obese? Clearly, it’s not working. Not only is it not preventing you from gaining weight but what else is it doing to your body? Is it worth the risk?
How Did We Get Here?
How did we, as a society, get to the place where chemical laden food is ok to ingest? I believe it started with WWII. Men were at war. Moms went to work to support the family and food manufacturers took the opportunity to create processed foods and market it as “making cooking easier.”
Families bought into it. I know mine did. We were a processed foods family growing up. We used boxed cake mixes, Minute Rice, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and the list went on. I wonder sometimes that if we died would our bodies be “preserved” because we have so many chemicals in it. That may seem far-fetched, but it does make you think.
Vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard
It reminds me 20 years ago when my children and I would vacation in Martha’s Vineyard. My sister owned a home in the Vineyard and we spent many lovely years vacationing there. I ALWAYS had to go to the fish market and get fresh clams and steam them. I would steam 5-6 dozen just for myself. My son did not like them as my daughter did. So, her and I ate the clams. I would go to the local grocery store and get their “processed breaded chicken” for my son.
One vacation he did not finish all the chicken and by mistake I left a piece in the oven. Two weeks later my sister went to her home for a vacation and called to tell me I left a piece of chicken in the oven. I felt really bad because I always wanted to leave the house in perfect condition for letting us stay there. I apologized profusely. She said, “No worries that’s not why I’m telling you this. I’m telling you this because the chicken piece was in perfect condition. There was no mold nor was it rancid.”
In the Oven – In a Hot House!
This chicken was in the oven in a hot house in Martha’s Vineyard for two weeks with no indication it had gone bad. There were that many preservatives in it that it preserved it for those two weeks. That was the last time I bought that chicken or any pre-cooked chicken. I made sure I made it from scratch!!!
So, as I wrap up this message I ask again, “Is Aspartame Safe?” My answer is no but you will have to decide for yourself. If you would like help coming up with a plan to remove this from your diet but feel overwhelmed, then reach out. Yes Regina I Want Your Help! I’m here to help. Eating “real” food is my passion.
Your Spiritual Life & Health Coach … believing in you!