Near Death Experiments in Sugar Substitutes

NT2C · June 30, 2022, 07:59:37 AM

(Alternate title: The Search for a Diabetic-Friendly Coffee Sweetener That Doesn't Taste Like Crap or Try to Kill Me)

So far I've tried:

Stevia: No aftertaste but a primary taste that DOES. NOT. BLEND. well with coffee. A secondary effect of causing uncontrollable projectile vomiting and diarrhea. (Possibly because the plant it comes from is a type of chrysanthemum and in the ragweed family; two things I'm very allergic to.)

Swerve: No aftertaste and pretty reasonable flavor blending with coffee. One weird effect though, I get this effect sort of like you do when you've eaten a mint and then inhale and get the "mint" feeling on your lips and tongue... with a sweetness to it. Very odd sensation but not odd enough to make me skip this one.

SCBrian · June 30, 2022, 02:12:05 PM

Quote from: NT2C on June 30, 2022, 07:59:37 AM(Alternate title: The Search for a Diabetic-Friendly Coffee Sweetener That Doesn't Taste Like Crap or Try to Kill Me)

Swerve: No aftertaste and pretty reasonable flavor blending with coffee. One weird effect though, I get this effect sort of like you do when you've eaten a mint and then inhale and get the "mint" feeling on your lips and tongue... with a sweetness to it. Very odd sensation but not odd enough to make me skip this one.

Please proceed with some caution especially since tingling lips/mouth are pushing into the allergy areas...

NT2C · June 30, 2022, 03:03:49 PM

Quote from: SCBrian on June 30, 2022, 02:12:05 PM
Quote from: NT2C on June 30, 2022, 07:59:37 AM(Alternate title: The Search for a Diabetic-Friendly Coffee Sweetener That Doesn't Taste Like Crap or Try to Kill Me)

Swerve: No aftertaste and pretty reasonable flavor blending with coffee. One weird effect though, I get this effect sort of like you do when you've eaten a mint and then inhale and get the "mint" feeling on your lips and tongue... with a sweetness to it. Very odd sensation but not odd enough to make me skip this one.

Please proceed with some caution especially since tingling lips/mouth are pushing into the allergy areas...

Preaching to the choir here. BTDT, got the medical bills to prove it. Had the slightly scratchy throat feeling too.

Here's the current lineup of sweeteners being tried/tested ranked (L to R) from best to worst.

NT2C · July 05, 2022, 10:37:54 AM

Allulose (both powder & syrup): I've been using this stuff the past few days and I've yet to finish a cup of coffee with this in it. The problem seems to be that you can develop a tolerance to it. At least, that's what my experience has been. To my wife, the powder form is "super sweet" (when tasted on a fingertip), to me it was kinda sweet the first day and has been steadily dropping in sweetness, to the point I started taking the syrup with me to add to my coffee as I drank it. It's supposed to be a "one-to-one" replacement for cane sugar, but I'm now looking at two to one in my coffee just to start with, and adding syrup as I drink the coffee and the sweetness dulls. I'm also getting a floral scent/sensation when I use it. It's very faint but sort of like walking into a florist's shop, that kind of scent/sensation. Or, if you've ever played sports on a grass field, the scent/sensation when you're lying face down in the grass.

NT2C · July 06, 2022, 12:57:37 PM

And... As of now, Allulose is permanently off my sweetener list, my search for an alternative sweetener is ended and I owe my wife an EpiPen. No, I didn't actually have to use it, but I did break the seal on it and ready it; it was that close. And that was from the smallest of sips (it was very hot) with a single spoonful in a large mug.

I think this also puts an end to my lifelong enjoyment of coffee with cream & sugar.

tirls · July 06, 2022, 01:06:54 PM

You are going to give me a heart attack at the tender age of 33 if you keep this up. First the Uncle Sam debacle and now death by sugar. I didn´t expect the title of the threat to be this literal.

Stay safe please!

NT2C · July 06, 2022, 01:14:57 PM

Quote from: tirls on July 06, 2022, 01:06:54 PMYou are going to give me a heart attack at the tender age of 33 if you keep this up. First the Uncle Sam debacle and now death by sugar. I didn´t expect the title of the threat to be this literal.
Stay safe please!

If you would be unwilling to court possible death to continue your love affair with the sacred brew, can you really consider yourself a coffee drinker?

Nyte · July 06, 2022, 01:17:15 PM

I don't know where your numbers are at, or your body, but I too am diabetic, have my numbers down (my last A1c was 5.4) and I still put a little sugar and sometimes cream in my coffee. It's taken me years to get to a point where I know what I can and can't eat and how much of what carb, but there is hope.

tirls · July 06, 2022, 01:43:04 PM

Quote from: NT2C on July 06, 2022, 01:14:57 PM
Quote from: tirls on July 06, 2022, 01:06:54 PMYou are going to give me a heart attack at the tender age of 33 if you keep this up. First the Uncle Sam debacle and now death by sugar. I didn´t expect the title of the threat to be this literal.
Stay safe please!
If you would be unwilling to court possible death to continue your love affair with the sacred brew, can you really consider yourself a coffee drinker?

I´m a heathen - tea and espresso here solely, I´m afraid.

NT2C · July 06, 2022, 01:58:21 PM

Quote from: Nyte on July 06, 2022, 01:17:15 PMI don't know where your numbers are at, or your body, but I too am diabetic, have my numbers down (my last A1c was 5.4) and I still put a little sugar and sometimes cream in my coffee. It's taken me years to get to a point where I know what I can and can't eat and how much of what carb, but there is hope.

Considering that my doctor (soon to be replaced) won't tell me, just that "you're diabetic", your guess is as good as mine. Based on my blood sugar readings before and after eating, yeah, I likely am, but I have no clue what that all-important A1C number is.

(This doc is new, that was my first and last visit with her. She pretends to listen but then makes it pretty obvious that she didn't hear a word you said, issues decrees rather than discusses anything, and has demonstrated a near-complete lack of knowledge regarding postherpetic neuralgia and neuropathy, right down to the classification levels of and allowed dosages of drugs used in the treatment of such. One thing that will make me run screaming from any medical type person or practice is demonstrated incompetence.)

NT2C · July 06, 2022, 02:00:00 PM

Quote from: tirls on July 06, 2022, 01:43:04 PM
Quote from: NT2C on July 06, 2022, 01:14:57 PM
Quote from: tirls on July 06, 2022, 01:06:54 PMYou are going to give me a heart attack at the tender age of 33 if you keep this up. First the Uncle Sam debacle and now death by sugar. I didn´t expect the title of the threat to be this literal.
Stay safe please!
If you would be unwilling to court possible death to continue your love affair with the sacred brew, can you really consider yourself a coffee drinker?
I´m a heathen - tea and espresso here solely, I´m afraid.

Well, we won't hold it against you.

12_Gauge_Chimp · July 06, 2022, 03:47:03 PM

Quote from: NT2C on July 06, 2022, 12:57:37 PMAnd... As of now, Allulose is permanently off my sweetener list, my search for an alternative sweetener is ended and I owe my wife an EpiPen. No, I didn't actually have to use it, but I did break the seal on it and ready it; it was that close. And that was from the smallest of sips (it was very hot) with a single spoonful in a large mug.

I think this also puts an end to my lifelong enjoyment of coffee with cream & sugar.

Kind of messed up that the product is called "Allulose" and in the end "all u lose" is the ability to drink coffee with cream and sugar because of it.

SCBrian · July 07, 2022, 05:05:52 PM

I know it's a pain in the rear, but once you break that sugar cycle, you can really get off of it.
As of now, most things with 'sugar' in them taste to sweet to me, it's very seldom I add any sugar anymore... So maybe the light at the end of the tunnel isnt a train?

NT2C · July 07, 2022, 05:29:10 PM

Moab · January 23, 2023, 06:27:46 PM

I use Apriva which is Kroger's generic for Splenda. It does not mess with your blood sugar. And does not cause cancer as some rumors stated many years ago. It's excellent. Tastes just like sugar. I use it with everything. Fruit. Shakes. Cereal. Coffee. etc etc. It's derived from sugar.

I also use Crystal Light sugar free powdered drink mix. The fruit punch and peach ice tea are excellent. As are all the many other flavors.

I'm type 2 Diabetic.

NT2C · January 23, 2023, 07:09:31 PM

Currently, I'm sticking with light agave nectar. It's just a little sweeter than sugar, very neutral flavor, low glycemic index, and has zero aftertaste. There's also no stomach or intestinal upset, which is a big thing with me.

Moab · January 24, 2023, 12:04:55 AM

Quote from: NT2C on January 23, 2023, 07:09:31 PMCurrently, I'm sticking with light agave nectar. It's just a little sweeter than sugar, very neutral flavor, low glycemic index, and has zero aftertaste. There's also no stomach or intestinal upset, which is a big thing with me.

I'll have to try that. I tried stevia and a few others. Man they were gross.

I'm really struggling with my type 2 right now. I was doing really well for about 3 months. Working out everyday. Eating only protien and green vegetables. But the holidays hit.

I have a terrible relationship with food. And find dealing with my diabetes is worse than giving up cigarettes or cannabis. Cannabis was easy. But cigs and food are like heroin to me. Really hard to quit. And the carbs are so hard for me to give up. I gave up sugar no problem. But I keep falling back on the carbs.

I keep telling myself "peace isn't found at the bottom of a cereal bowl". Lol.

flybynight · January 25, 2023, 08:49:37 AM

Quote from: Moab on January 24, 2023, 12:04:55 AM
Quote from: NT2C on January 23, 2023, 07:09:31 PMCurrently, I'm sticking with light agave nectar. It's just a little sweeter than sugar, very neutral flavor, low glycemic index, and has zero aftertaste. There's also no stomach or intestinal upset, which is a big thing with me.
I'll have to try that. I tried stevia and a few others. Man they were gross.

I'm really struggling with my type 2 right now. I was doing really well for about 3 months. Working out everyday. Eating only protien and green vegetables. But the holidays hit.

I have a terrible relationship with food. And find dealing with my diabetes is worse than giving up cigarettes or cannabis. Cannabis was easy. But cigs and food are like heroin to me. Really hard to quit. And the carbs are so hard for me to give up. I gave up sugar no problem. But I keep falling back on the carbs.

I keep telling myself "peace isn't found at the bottom of a cereal bowl". Lol.

I know... I'm not helping

Moab · January 25, 2023, 10:18:47 AM

Quote from: flybynight on January 25, 2023, 08:49:37 AM
Quote from: Moab on January 24, 2023, 12:04:55 AM
Quote from: NT2C on January 23, 2023, 07:09:31 PMCurrently, I'm sticking with light agave nectar. It's just a little sweeter than sugar, very neutral flavor, low glycemic index, and has zero aftertaste. There's also no stomach or intestinal upset, which is a big thing with me.
I'll have to try that. I tried stevia and a few others. Man they were gross.

I'm really struggling with my type 2 right now. I was doing really well for about 3 months. Working out everyday. Eating only protien and green vegetables. But the holidays hit.

I have a terrible relationship with food. And find dealing with my diabetes is worse than giving up cigarettes or cannabis. Cannabis was easy. But cigs and food are like heroin to me. Really hard to quit. And the carbs are so hard for me to give up. I gave up sugar no problem. But I keep falling back on the carbs.

I keep telling myself "peace isn't found at the bottom of a cereal bowl". Lol.
I know... I'm not helping

Lmmfao!!!! That is AWESOME!!!! 😂

AH. DUDE! YOU MADE MY MORNING!