Question

I see that a lot of people use sugar free and fat free products to keep their points lower. I'm just hesitant to do the same as I here that sugar free products can be worse for you since they are replacing the sugar with chemical sweeteners. Thoughts?  

Answer 1

I'm with you fake isn't better I use real just in moderation and count

Answer 2

It’s personal opinion. The research on if artificial sweeteners cause issues later on is inconclusive but the added calories causing weight gain is definitely conclusive. I do my best to eat Whole Foods because I feel better and fuller. I’ve gotten used to eating naturally lower fat foods and naturally lower sugar foods

Answer 3

I use both, I love Werthers original sugar free candy (5 for 1 point) but hate the aftertaste of sugar free yoghurt. I'm not going to eat nasty stuff to lose weight I just count the points.  

Comments

@lindner76 good tip. Thank you!  

Answer 4

Other than 1 can of Diet Coke a day which I know is bad, I do try to avoid most artificial sweeteners. I’ve been more focused on increasing fresh fruits and veggies. If I crave sweets I have been using honey and pure maple syrup in small amounts. I’m down 7 lbs since 2/3/20 so not huge losses so far but a start!  

Comments

@sears good work! Proud of you!  

Answer 5

I think you have to weigh out the pros and cons to how much you actually consume. The only thing I add sugar to (I don't really bake) is my morning coffee - 1 tsp. I hate the taste of artificial sweeteners, so I take the point hit for my 1 tsp of sugar in my one cup of coffee daily. I drink tea the rest of the day and don't add sugar. Fat free - it depends. I like full fat cheeses - I find I eat less because I feel more satisfied. Yogurt and milk, I do eat/drink 1%. As for butter and oil, I try to use healthy ones, and just less of it. Try sauteeing veg with bits of water or a single spray of olive oil.  

Answer 6

These sweeteners have been around for decades

Answer 7

Other than Stevia there is no processed foods in our house.  

Answer 8

Not all “artificial” is chemical. Cane sugar is a processed food also. It’s just a preference. I use monkfruit but occasionally use Splenda

Answer 9

I personally don't like artificial sweeteners, or anything that's fat free. My mom used to call them "chemical sh^tstorms. "  They make me sick every time I have them, so I just stick to whole foods and if I want something that has a lot of fat or sugar, I make room for it with my weeklies.  

Answer 10

I try, , but sometimes. use things like sugar free jello. I grow my own stevia and use it to sweeten thing if I need to. i do use Stevia in the packets sometimes, but try not to. I think everyone should monitor artificial sweeteners and processed stuff as tolerated. or needed.  

Answer 11

Moderation in all things.  

Answer 12

Yes, they are! Cant stand sugar free ANYTHING  I do use low fat though, not fat free  i can handle fat free milk though ‍♀️ but not a whole glass of it  

Answer 13

Stevia is natural grin leaves.  

Answer 14

I just can’t stand the taste of sugar free and I don’t eat dairy so idk what I would even buy that’s “fat free”. But I do agree that it’s not good for you.  

Answer 15

I am with you!  I am reluctant to rejoin WW again because of this. These are not REAL foods. But then I am fat, soooooo

Comments

@maimonides weight watchers doesn't require you to eat sugar free products. You choose to eat what you want.  

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@maimonides weight loss has lots to do with your mind , when one is ready and committed it works! WW does not tell you what to eat , gives you guideline to work in , up to each person to eat what they choose to be healthy

Answer 16

I don’t eat sugar free or fat free products. I would rather count the points.  

Comments

@rauwolfia ‍♀️

Answer 17

I agree with you Amber, when I read sugar free and fat free, I automatically think "chemical shit storm" I have just way minimized my sugar intake and have healthy fats in moderation. Yes it was hard because I have a serious sugar monkey on my back, I do sometimes give in and have some ice cream or frozen yogurt or even cake or pie, but I also do not beat myself up over it, we are human after all.  

Answer 18

It is your choice how you do WW. There is no right way or wrong way, it is the way you choose to do it.  

Answer 19

I always used real sugar. I just had to use less. Real sugar is 1 pt per tsp

Answer 20

I do you SOME fat free very rarely. But I cannot even stand the sugar free taste

Answer 21

Stick with natural Whole Foods. your body will thank you  

Answer 22

Do your plan the way that works for you. As we say at meetings, "no judgement"

Answer 23

I dont like them. the way they taste. I've been loosing fine by cutting back on my sugars and fats not cutting out or replacing

Answer 24

I very rarely eat or drink sugar free or fat free. I just dont like them. But that's why I love ww, you control what you eat, you just point it out

Answer 25

We use swerve. I like it.  

Answer 26

I can’t use any of it I get terrible migraines

Answer 27

Some people do, and some people don't. Do what works for you!  

Answer 28

Natural is best

Answer 29

You can eat full fat foods; just because it’s reduced fat or fat free does not always make it healthy. Sometimes they may remove/reduce the fat and replace with sugar. Stevia is a plant that you can grow in your garden

Answer 30

I do me .  

Answer 31

Diabetes runs in my family. I use splenda or stevia. I am preventing myself from having diabetes

Answer 32

I have been using a liquid sweetener for decades. But I live in France. Splenda doesn’t exist as such. But many other kinds do.  

Answer 33

I say: stay in your own lane. If SF/FF stuff bothers you, don't eat it. Those of us who do have no issues with eating it, and are also successful. I've been eating SF/FF for over a year, and my most recent physical was excellent. The stuff isn't killing me. But I tell you what was! All the unfettered whole foods previously. (Obviously my issue wasn't the fact that I was eating nothing but whole foods, but the quantity! ) But seriously. If you don't want to eat the stuff that's lower points. don't.  

Comments

@freak :Spot on. I've been using Splenda and fat free Italian dressing on my salads for years. I don't eat full fat anything because my lips and mouth feel greasy afterwards. To each his own.  

Answer 34

Use whatever products works best for you. You can make either full fat or fat free products work. I have switched to not using many SF and FF products and I’m still able to remain within my points and feel full. I don’t knock people who benefit from SF and FF products though.  

Answer 35

Stay away from artificial sweeteners. They are really bad for you!  

Answer 36

My thoughts are, I’m doing this for my long term health not just to look better! So why would I add things that have been shown to be unhealthy in order to try to lose weight faster!  

Answer 37

You aren't wrong. Becoming healthier is about eating good foods in healthy portions. Not everyone loses weight in a healthy way.  

Answer 38

Our society has us rope in from one extreme to the next, at first the food industry had us convinced sugar was good and gave us very large amounts in our food even in recipes and now sugar isn’t so good, we jumped to sugar substitute. I say unless you are a diabetic, forget sugar substitute and just cut down on the sugar is a much better way of handle our sweetener.  

Answer 39

The ONLY sweetener I use is 1 packet of Stevia in the Raw with my one cup of coffee or tea in the morning. I do keep a small zippie in my purse with a few packets in case I feel like an iced tea while out for lunch on a rare occasion. I agree that the chemicals in artificially sweetened foods and beverages are not the answer. I have a friend who couldn’t drop weight for “love or money”. got off Diet Dr Pepper and lost 20lbs! That was her ONLY change. opened my eyes! I am a type II diabetic and have been lowering my A1C and daily readings by simply making much better choices and including walking several times a week. Not perfect but making a conscious effort.  

Answer 40

I use stevia and don’t worry about it.  

Answer 41

I agree

Answer 42

I do a little of both. I use mostly sugar free drinks and low fat stuff but don’t do all sugar free foods or fat free.  

Answer 43

I don’t use any artificial sweeteners . may take a little longer but I think it is healthier. so ‍♀️

Answer 44

Follow your heart ~ everyone has different preferences.  

Answer 45

Try monk fruit

Answer 46

Stevia (Organic Sweetleaf Stevia) is the ONLY product that is just Stevia & fiber. All the rest have other forms of sugar - recommendation from my husband’s internist.  

Answer 47

I was just in the ER about 2 weeks ago with intense pain that they gave me morphine for which didn't even get rid of the pain for me. One of the things I had been doing was drinking Diet pop . It was discovered by a CT that the pain was due to my gallbladder. I continued to be in pain for about a week. I had no idea that pop, spices, and coffee were causing a serious health issue for me. I do not eat a lot of high fat foods. But I did have some chicken wings without BBQ sauce a couple of days before the gallbladder attack and tacos made with low fat beef the night before. I had purchased the lowest fat beef in the store. Spices also set off my gallbladder. I am done with diet pop. No more for me. Pain that needs morphine is NOT worth it. I am guessing regular pop would have the same effect on my gallbladder but I won't be drinking that either.  

Answer 48

I cannot eat sugar free candie by Whitmans. It gives me a very painful stomach ache. In my mind the stuff is poison.  

Answer 49

I agree. I use very little sugar free or fat free. Just learning to adjust and enjoy the real thing within my points, but there are a few exceptions.  

Answer 50

I do sugar free on occasion. but I do not like fat free stuff.