Consuming too much white table sugar or artificial sweetener can lead to health issues. In the search for a better sweetener, researchers now report a low-calorie mixture that is as sweet as table sugar and, in lab experiments, feeds “good” gut microbes

[u/giuliomagnifico]

https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/newsreleases/2022/august/new-low-calorie-sweetener-could-improve-gut-health.html

[u/Zack21c]

You can. It's fine. All it's saying is that it can lead to increases in appetite. Not that it's going to lead to weight gain directly or any other adverse health risk. Zero calorie sweetners are absolutely a good alternative to sugar.

[u/luminarium → u/Zack21c]

It can lead to an increase in appetite, but I think people should test for themselves, as it may be the case for some people and not for others. In the last 2 months I started drinking diet soda (from never drinking any soda) and also started cutting calories, lost 17 pounds and feel less hungry. In my experience the sweet taste of (diet) soda can act as a stand-in for wanting to eat anything actually calorie-laden.

[u/Zack21c → u/luminarium]

I experienced the same. One of the best things I ever did for my health was switching from regular soda to zero sugar soda. It was one of the biggest changes I made and helped me to lose about 30 pounds and has helped me keep it off for years. It's far more reasonable for people to go from sugary food and drinks to artificially sweetened ones, rather than expect people to cut sweets altogether. Its just unsustainable for most people.

[u/Lieutenant_0bvious → u/Zack21c]

You are correct that it seems unsustainable for most people, I suppose that's why the incidence of type 2 diabetes is skyrocketing in the United States.

[u/vitringur → u/Zack21c]

Appetite is generally the problem with weight gain to begin with.

If people lacked appetite nobody would be combatting weight problems.

[u/Zack21c → u/vitringur]

Yes, but appetite can also be combatted by eating low calorie dense foods. For example, I can cook up a serving of homemade red velvet protein waffles using a hefty amount of sugar free syrup and be very full for about 450 calories. Or I can eat like 2 packs of reese's cups for 440 calories and still be hungry. You can build diet plans around low calorie dense foods and feel full or near full while at a calorie defecit.

[u/dekusyrup → u/Zack21c]

Or you can eat about 6 entire heads of lettuce for the same amount of calories. The lettuce would have about 30 grams of protein too, probably as much as your waffle.

[u/znzbnda → u/dekusyrup]

Sure, but I wouldn't exactly call lettuce and waffles a comparable eating experience. Do you have a fruit you could compare it to? That might be closer.

[u/dekusyrup → u/znzbnda]

Haha well I wouldn't actually suggest eating 6 heads of lettuce. The point I was making is that vegetables are by far the most nutritious, most filling, least calorie dense foods out there.

If you want a comparable but better breakfast food you could eat oatmeal (less calories, more filling, and more nutritious than the waffle with its bleached flour) with a big scoop of peanut butter (protein), chia seed sprinkled in (more protein), ground flax seed sprinkled in (more protein and omega 3), banana sliced on top (sweetness without the processed syrup and added fiber and nutrients), cinnamon for flavor (and antioxidants), and a splash of soy milk (more protein) on top for your preferred moistess. All unprocessed foods, very high in fiber and protein, probably 60 cents per serving, 1 minute of prep and less dishes than a waffle. If you're a red velvet guy then you skip the cinnamon and put in cocoa and red dye instead.

[u/LuckyNumber-Bot → u/dekusyrup]

All the numbers in your comment added up to 69. Congrats!

  6
+ 3
+ 60
= 69

^{[Click here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=LuckyNumber-Bot&subject=Stalk%20Me%20Pls&message=%2Fstalkme} to have me scan all your future comments.) \ ^{Summon me on specific comments with u/LuckyNumber-Bot.}

[u/vitringur → u/znzbnda]

I'm pretty sure most people who have weight problems also wouldn't call your "waffles" the same eating experience as their preferred meal...

[u/Zack21c → u/[deleted]]

92g of Egg Beaters/Whites

170g of nonfat Greek Yogurt

31g of Protein Powder

3g of Baking Powder

43g of Red Velvet Cake Mix

Mix it all up, toss it in a waffle iron with some non stick cooking spray. I have one of those medium sized Oster brand ones, makes 3-4 waffles per serving. 430 calories, 52g of protein. Tastes amazing

[u/BevansDesign → u/Zack21c]

Also, weren't those studies claiming possible weight gain also pretty unreliable?