Is it ok to use artificial sweeteners?

[I_am_me]

So I have a sweet tooth, probably the reason I’m now type 2!
Sometimes only something sweet will do, so is it ok to use a bit of sweetener in your food. I love a bit of porridge for breakfast, can I add a bit of sweetener to it? I’m not suggesting every meal, just two or three times a week.
What do you do for a sweet hit?

 

[Kaylz]

I wouldn't be too concerned about the sweetener but I know many Type 2's can't tolerate porridge as it spikes their BG so your lucky if you can xx

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Some people are concerned over artificial sweeteners, but i think this tends to only really aoply if people are consuming a LOT.

I’ve happily had things that include artificial sweeteners, and I don’t find I get any nasty aftertaste or after effects. Generally in sugar free squash, and occasional diet fizzy drinks.

I would encourage you to try to continue reducing the amount of sweetened things you are eating. You will find that in a relatively short time your taste buds and expectation will adjust, and you will find that you will taste sweetness in things you would have previously tasted plain, and that many things will be overly sickly sweets and quite unpleasant!

Members have mentioned sugar free jelly in the past? Fruit and small amounts of dark chocolate (just a square or two) seem popular too.

As @Kaylz says, with porridge, it’s not just the 5g in carbs of a teaspoon of sucrose that you need to worry about. It’s also important to see how your body responds to the 40g (or whatever) in the porridge itself! For some people - I’m one - porridge isn’t as slowly releasing as it’s reputation promises 😱

 

[Kaylz]

@everydayupsanddowns your lucky, I get a god awful aftertaste and can pick it out like a needle in a haystack!

Thankfully I'm one of the lucky ones that can tolerate porridge on a 20 minute pre bolus, good job as these Scottish mornings are getting colder by the day! 😱
xx

 

[grovesy]

Some people find sweeteners can be problem, as with everything else it is a try it and see how it affects you. I find many have a strange after taste, many use the sugar free jellies but I don't like them for this reason.