This is my first ever blog. I would like to think that it would be something more profound than my admission to being addicted to artificial sweeteners, but that is not the case. I LOVE Lipton Mixed Berry Diet Green Tea. I can't remember the last time I went without having 2 or 3 a day. They are the greatest drink EVER (in my humble opinion that is).
However, I also can't remember the last time I woke up without a constant loud ringing in my ears. I have accepted that this is just part of me and that it will never go away. I have gradually been losing hearing in both ears over the past few years and I just assumed it was due to getting older. I friend of mine came over the other day and I offered him one of my Green Teas. He asked if it had Aspartame in it and honestly, I had to read the label (for the first time) in order to answer him. To my surprise, it contained Aspartame. Actually, I wasn't surprised, because I didn't really care, I knew nothing about Aspartame. After only a few minutes on the Internet, I was convinced that I need to remove this chemical from my daily consumption.
There are over 90 side effects associated with the consumption of Aspartame. I couple of them hit me between the eyes, or ears as it is. Loss of hearing or ringing in the ears. Other negative side effects include: sleeplessness, memory loss and too many others to actually type. I am including the website in case you would like to read them for yourself.
http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html
At the time of this posting, I have been Aspartame free for 4 days and honestly, I would love to say that I have never felt better, I can see, hear and think clearly...but that is not the case. I miss the heck out of my Green Tea and my ears are ringing louder than Big Ben at noon. But I am committed to removing this toxin from my diet.
The whole purpose of this Blog is to Commit to Action. Each week I plan on committing to a new action that will improve my life, physically, emotionally, spiritually and professionally.
If you read this, then I suppose it is a blog. If no one else reads it, then I'll just consider it a journal.
Thanks.
George
Wow, Great Story. It may be your first blog but it is awesome. I look forward to reading more from your. I had a similar situation with diabetes. I went blind. I thought that my lasix surgery went bad. I changed my diet, lost weight and not am no longer bound to medicine.
ReplyDeleteGeorge,
ReplyDeleteHang in there! Breaking any addiction is tough and I expect that your body is reacting to the deprivation from asparteme. Hopefully, you will start to feel better once you've been off the stuff for a while.
I don't like artificial sugars, I can taste them, ALL of them leave a nasty after flavor in my mouth, even Splenda! I have learned to read labels carefully because a lot of products that say they are "sugar free" are using artificial sweetners such as Splenda and Aspartame. Yuck! It's even in fruit cups! I buy only canned or cupped fruit that is packed in 100% fruit juice, but they can be hard to find sometimes.
Stay strong George, you can do it!
Wow George - never thought one small thing could have such vast side effects! Sweetener, huh? Fortunately I don't like any sweetener - not even sugar in my coffee. My son told me that any 'diet' drink would destroy my stomach lining...ok, those are gone from my diet now. I really hope the ringing in your ears will subside - hang in there!!
ReplyDeleteHi George! I was confused about this assignment too! Haha. I hope you go to my new blog. :D I like your blog. Good luck with this aspartame free diet. I love junk food, so I guess I should maybe learn how to do without... someday. :)
ReplyDeletePS: Here is the link. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://the-art-of-creating-wellness.blogspot.com/