Life, Gluten Free

Tips on Finding Allergy-safe Foods and How to Be a Conscious Consumer (Part 2)

Did you read Part 1 of Tips on Finding Allergy-Safe foods? (click here if you haven't yet!)

We eat very little packaged foods, not just because it's hard to find allergen-free and 100% gluten-free products... but because it's healthier to eat a whole-food based diet.

The few foods we eat packaged are by companies that we have spoken to on the phone with - sometimes on numerous occasions - to learn about their facility and food processing practices. They do not produce gluten, tree-nuts, etc in their facility.

So, we have literally spent hours on the phone speaking to companies. We do this for all of the products we buy such as: supplements, bodycare, food, etc.

It's important to contact companies, as you have read in part 1, because food labeling is not effective. There are very little regulations regarding what you can and cannot put on a food label. This means that "gluten-free" can be put on a label even if the product contains trace amounts of gluten.

What should I say when I approach companies?

Here are a few ways we start the conversation:

"Hi, I am very intrested in your line of products.. but my daughter has severe allergies to foods like tree-nuts, sesame and flax... we both have celiac disease so that means we can't have gluten. I see that your product ingredients do not contain those, but I would like to inquire about your food manufacturing policies to see if you produce any products in your facility that contain those ingredients."

or

"Hi, I am interested in your product but I need to ask some questions because we have allergies in the family."

Then you can go on to explain what allergies you have, and ask if their facility is free of these ingredients.

I explain about cross-contamination and how serious of an issue it is. I tell them that we've gotten sick in the past because products contained trace amounts of gluten or our other allergens, so now we always call companies before trying their products.

It's important to let them know how serious the situation is, so that they understand it's important to get the right information.

Never be afraid to ask. Companies should expect inquiries, and if the person you are speaking with on the phone does not have the information you need then ask to speak to someone who does.

Labeling policies is something that definitely needs to improve across the board, but again it's up to us to call companies to make sure products are truly safe!

Tips on Finding Allergy-safe Foods and How to Be a Conscious Consumer

It can be very tricky to find products that are truly allergy-safe, gluten-free, tree-nut free and so on. The key is not just in reading the label because labels are often not clear and the laws on labeling for food allergens is fuzzy at best.

In fact, labels can often be incredibly deceiving. The key, rather, is to be a conscious consumer. Know what is in the products you are eating, and do not rely on the label to tell you what's really in it.

Here's a rundown on labeling and why it's rarely 100% accurate:

1) It is not mandatory for companies to label their cross-contaminated products as such. It is strictly optional. When you see "may contain ..." or "packaged in a facility with .." or "produced on the same equipment as ..." that company has taken it upon themselves to add that to their label. So that means, many companies out there are not disclosing this information on their labels.

2) Labels can be deceiving. Many products are labeled "gluten-free" because the ingredients contain no gluten, but the product may be produced in a facility (and often even on the same equipment) with other products that do contain gluten. According to the FDA, a product can also be labeled "gluten-free" but have up to 20ppm of gluten. You may have also seen "certified gluten-free" on some products, which is an independent certification by GFCO that means it contains less than 10ppm of gluten and 5ppm of gliadin.

Here's an example of mislabeling. There is a new product out and it claims on the package "we're not nuts!" meaning, they are not made out of tree-nuts. The package also has a "gluten-free" symbol. Yet reading further on the package you will find in tiny letters "may contain traces of tree-nuts, wheat and dairy."

wait, what?

Let's review this. They are advertising a product as being a nut-alternative. Yet, this product may contain traces of nuts. Clearly, they are not targeting people with nut-allergies, so who then? And while the product may be labeled "gluten-free" because the ingredients are technically free of gluten, their manufacturing processes are not gluten-free and therefore you may find trace amounts of gluten in this product.

And this is a big one, because many people do not realize this:

3) Some companies produce their product in one facility and ship it to another facility for packaging.

That means that while the facility in which they produce the product may be safe, their packaging facility may not be. This is why it's crucial to always call the company and ask questions about their production and packaging facilities.

4) Many companies share facilities with other companies or they simply make a wide variety of products - many not being gluten-free or nut-free.

5) Hidden ingredients? FALCPA is strictly a law that was passed to make sure the actual ingredients are described properly on the package. For example, if a product contains "spices" in the ingredient list and those spices have wheat, the company must disclose that on the label otherwise it would be a hidden ingredient. And they have to be specific, if the ingredients say "nut" they must clarify as to which nut it contains.

You can learn more about FDA guidelines regarding gluten-free and food-allergen labeling here.

Click here to read part 2 of "Tips on Finding Allergy-safe Foods and How to Be a Conscious Consumer".. broken up into two segments for easier reading!

Artificially Scented Laundry Products are Harmful to Your Health

I was pleased to see the feedback from my previous post, Artificial Fragrances Trigger Allergy and Asthma.

Obviously, there is so very much I can say on this topic and if I were to go on as much as I'd like, I would be writing a book! But because I know some of you wanted to know more specifically regarding artificial fragrances in laundry products, I thought I would go into a bit more detail.

Here was one question that I received.

How can I check my dryer sheets for artificial ingredients, and how do I know which ones are harmful? Specific ingredient names would be most helpful.

Go grab your laundry care products and have them in front of you.

I'll wait.

Okay, so what do they say? If you use unscented, then they probably talk about being "dye-free" and "fragrance-free" and "free and clear" or maybe they use the simple term "unscented."

If you are using a natural laundry care product that has natural essential oils, then it may say it contains 100% natural essential oils dervied from a plant.

But if you are using one of the top main-stream laundry products like Tide, Gain or Downy then you are probably seeing words like "Fresh Scent," "Clean Breeze," "Original Scent" or "Fresh Lock."

You want to know what's in the fragrance, right?

Search for the ingredients. You will find it includes one of these two words "fragrance,"  or "perfume"

Manufacturers are not required to disclose the ingredients used in fragrances, or in laundry products.

So how do you know what's really in them? Well, you don't. Feel free to call the company and ask them, but more than likely they will try not to disclose that information (if you try it, let me know how it goes).

So you are looking at the label, you may see other ingredients with really long names. It probably looks like gobbly-gook.

Those ingredients don't even have anything to do with the fragrance because besides artificial fragrance, the leading main-stream laundry products contain other chemicals and preservatives that aren't healthy. But let's get back on-topic for now.

So what's in the fragrances?

If you can't find it on the label what is actually in the fragrance, which you won't, then seek research.

Like the study in 2008, that tested 6 top selling laundry care and air freshner products.

Nearly 100 volatile organic compounds were emitted from these six products, and none were listed on any product label. Plus, five of the six products emitted one or more carcinogenic 'hazardous air pollutants,' which are considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to have no safe exposure level," Steinemann said.

(Source: Toxic Chemicals Found in Common Scented Laundry Products, Air Freshners by Science Daily).

And another study in 2010, testing the leading products on the market.

"The products emitted more than 420 chemicals, collectively, but virtually none of them were disclosed to consumers, anywhere," Steinemann said.

Source: Scented Consumer Products Shown to Emit Many Unlisted Chemicals by Science Daily).

What can I use instead?

I would recommend visiting your local natural health market and perusing their laundry care product isle.

Below I will list some of the companies that I trust when it comes to laundry products and household cleaning.

BioKleen

Mountain Green

Also I would like to stress, that if this is an issue of particular importance to you (and I hope it is!), then do some research yourself, too.

And visit the web site Healthy Child, Healthy World because I am guessing most of you reading are probably concerned parents who want to do all they can to protect their kids.

Because after all, our family is the most important thing to us and we want to make smart, healthy choices for them.

So from one mom to another, I urge you to take control of what products you choose. Knowledge is power, and the choice is ours to make.

Artificial Fragrances Trigger Allergy and Asthma

What's that smell? If you use products with fragrances, more than likely you are so used to them that you don't even notice. But for those who use unscented products like we do, whether for other health reasons or because you are allergic to scented products, you probably notice when someone is using a scented body care or laundry care product.

Here are the facts:

- More than 2 million Americans have a fragrance allergy or sensitivity.

- 1 out of every 3 American children has allergies, asthma, ADHD or autism.

- Asthma and Allergies affect 1 out of 5 Americans.

Just a few months ago in August, our daughter, Sophie, was treated in the ER. She experienced these symptoms: sneezing, runny nose, coughing and then difficulty breathing with wheezing.

The culprit: artificial fragrances.

Does this sound familiar to you? Chances are, you or someone you know are bothered by scented products.

Fragrace allergies are on the rise and there are different types of allergic responses. Some people experience a skin allergy to artificial fragrances, where they develop an itchy rash. A respiratory reaction involves symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, difficulty breathing or worsening of asthma symptoms for those who are diagnosed with asthma. Some people may also develop a headache and even brain fog when exposed to artificial fragrances.

"Experts theorize that one reason fragrance allergies appear to be increasing is that fragrances themselves have become such a prominent part of our world. According to the AAD, some 5,000 different fragrances -- and countless other fragrance combinations -- are used in products today. And they can be a powerful, toxic brew."

Source: Fragrance Allergies: A sensory assault from WebMD.

What kind of products contain artificial fragrances? 

- Deodorant

- Perfume and cologne

- Body lotion and other body care products

- Hair products (shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, hairgel)

- Household cleaners and air freshners

- Laundry detergents and fabric softeners

- Soap

- Candles

Exposure to fragrances can happen by simply standing in the line at a store next to someone who has applied a strong perfume or washes their clothes in scented laundry detergent.

"Being forced to breathe in others' fragrance choices is a lot like being forced to breathe in secondhand smoke," Dalton tells WebMD. "It's a loss of control over your personal environment, and for some it can have serious personal health consequences."

Source: Fragrance Allergies: A sensory assault from WebMD.

What are these scents, anyways? Should anyone use them?

We weren't using them even before Sophie was born because we learned long ago how unhealthy they can be. But when friends/family/etc wore them, and it began to bother Sophie, we had to explain to them that they couldn't wear anything with fragrance around us. And then it begged the question, what are these chemicals and why are they so bad?

Most fragrances are synthesized, primarily from petroleum products. About 3,000 chemicals are used in the fragrance industry. Allergic reactions to fragrances are on the rise, increasing from 9 percent to about 12 to 13 percent of dermatitis patients over the last decade, according to Dr. Donald Belsito, a dermatologist at the University of Kansas Medical Center (as quoted in a February 2002 MSNBC article "Scents and Sensitivities").

Source: Fragrances: What Your Nose Needs to Know from Healthy Child, Healthy World.

Ongoing research and studies are being conducted and the recent findings are startling.

Findings, published online in the journal Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health, show that air vented from machines using the top-selling scented liquid laundry detergent and scented dryer sheet contains hazardous chemicals, including two that are classified as carcinogens.

Analysis of the captured gases found more than 25 volatile organic compounds, including seven hazardous air pollutants, coming out of the vents. Of those, two chemicals -- acetaldehyde and benzene -- are classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogens, for which the agency has established no safe exposure level.

Source: Scented Laundry Products Emit Hazardous Chemicals Through Your Dryer Vents by Scientific Daily.

Not only do artificial fragrances cause reactions in those with allergies, asthma or chemical sensitivities, but they are also very toxic for the entire world.

And are fragrances everywhere? Yes, it seems so.

In fact, when Sophie had to be in the hospital recently for a respiratory virus, I immediately noticed that the antibacterial handwash provided for patients/doctors/nurses was heavily scented.

Let's think about this for one second.

My daughter is in the hospital because she is sick, and artificial fragrances actually can trigger her to have an allergic reaction, which could make her worse.

I spoke up and told them in no uncertain terms that she cannot be around that.

This is enoucragement to speak up and make your voice heard, because that is what brings change.

The nurse was very accomdating. She brought in unscented soap and passed it on to the respiratory specialist and the next nurse on shift. I even had the respiratory specialist inform me that she uses her own unscented hand wash because the scented bothers her too. She encouraged me to file a comment card with the hospital, which I am currently working on now.

I have learned that change does not happen unless you speak up and take time to make your voice and your opinions heard. You do matter and your child matters.

This can be a controversial topic because people often are offended when you bring up that the products they use are unsafe. Regardless, more awareness must be spread because awareness is what makes the world safer for all of us to live in.

So what if someone around me uses it and it bothers me?

Tell them. Believe me, we've been around the block with this one. We've had to have family change their products to unscented so that they can visit with us. Some of them were offended. But if the alternative is that your or your child experiences breathing difficulties or other symptoms?  There is no other way. So just speak up, tell them why it bothers you and help them understand. Help them not take it personally. It's not about them. It's because it makes someone else sick, really sick. And once they understand that, then it will make sense to them and they should be glad to comply.

A Grain-Free Diet

Some people with Celiac Disease find that being gluten-free is not quite enough for them to feel completely healthy again and symptom free. Our daughter's doctor told us that when Celiac Disease was first discovered, it was recommended that you eat a completely grain-free diet, not just a diet that was void of gluten found in wheat, rye, barley, etc. 

Since our daughter still experiences some eczema, we've decided to adapt a grain-free diet to see if that alleviates her symptoms further. 

Here are some of the products that we've added to her diet. It was not as hard as I thought. My first fear was that she'd ask for brown rice noodles but we quickly solved that dilemma! Now she doesn't ask. That might tell you something. Often times, once you eliminate a particular food from your diet, you then realize that it didn't really agree with you in the first place.

She's been off of grains for about a month, and her skin is looking pretty great! We are pleased. And since I started to write this post a while ago, I can now say that the transition to grain-free has been very easy. She loves the new noodles and she really, really loves the coconut wraps and calls them "flatbread."

Coconut Wraps: (pictured above)

Pure Wraps are heaven. They smell so, so good. They are made in a nut-free, gluten-free facility. They hold together well. You can cram them with avocado, homemade pickles, lettuce and olives (that's Sophie's favorite combo).

Grain-free Noodles:

These miracle noodles are a hit. They may not be just like rice noodles, but Sophie likes them all the same. I even used them for chicken noodle soup and it was a win!

*This post is purely my opinion on these products that we've found to work well for us, I did not receive any free products from the companies listed above. We just love them!

I'll leave you with a photo of my daughter eating a pizza that we made using the coconut wraps as a crust. It was a major win.

3 Ways to Lower Cholesterol Naturally

Besides cooking, cleaning and just enjoying being a wife and mom - I also have a passion for writing. I just became the Boulder Natural News Examiner. That means, I will be writing articles weekly within the natural health niche.

You can view my first article: 3 Ways to Lower Cholesterol Naturally.

There is also an option to subscribe so that you are updated whenever I publish a new article.

Thanks for your support!

-Heather

If it's not fresh, don't drink it!

An eco-advocate on twitter, Lisa Borden, posted this a link for everyone to take a look at. It was titled "The Shocking Truth About Orange Juice."

I found that title to be intriguing, despite the fact that we don't drink processed orange juice. I took a look, and I was shocked - but not surprised - by the information provided.

I encourage you to watch the video and forward it to friends and family. The point at the end of the video really hit home for us, too. Some children have allergic reactions to processed juices, but not to the actual fruit - fresh - by itself. That's because they are reacting to the chemicals and additives, not to the fruit. Does that seem okay to you? Not to me.

What people don't seem to understand, or even realize, is that it's not natural for most foods to be processed and packaged in that way. In the past, people used to store certain foods (like potatoes) but you can't store orange juice for long periods of time, unless it has some additive.

It takes just one person to speak up and say, let's do something different. Many parents have made a HUGE difference in their community, schools, churches, etc by simply say "I'm not going to feed that to my kid, do you think you should feed it for yours?" By bringing awareness, they make people start to think... maybe I don't want my kid eating something heavily processed like that.

After all, it's not about convenience. It's about the health and well-being of our children - isn't it?...

I think so!

-Heather

October is Celiac Disease Awareness Month

Since 1987, October has been the month to spread the word about Celiac Disease. It's also to honor and celebrate those who have been diagnosed. It can seem a burden at first, but it's a true accomplishment and an amazing achievement to begin to eat the foods that your body thrives on and avoid the harmful ones.

I also want to honor those who are eating gluten-free for other reasons. Whether you are eating gluten-free because of autism, allergies, intolerances or other auto-immune diseases, celebrate your achievement and make your favorite gluten-free dish this month! There are also support groups and other organizations across the country that get together to celebrate in October. Here's a link to get you started if you want to find one in your area.

So you have celiac disease.....

Yep, that means that I can't eat anything with gluten in it. The grains that have gluten are wheat, barley and rye. Spelt and kamut contain gluten as well. If a celiac consumes gluten, damage to the small intestines result. Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune condition that has to be managed by avoiding the consumption of gluten.

Some symptoms of celiac disease include..

- Irritible bowel syndrome (common misdiagnosis)

- Headaches

- Digestive disturbances

- Fatigue

- Joint pain

- Canker sores in mouth

It's important to note that the symptoms of celiac disease range so much that there is no definitive symptom. Some of those with celiac disease have no digestive symptoms at all.

Testing for celiac disease..

I always recommend testing through Entero Lab. It's easy and it's accurate. Most main stream doctors will recommend a blood test and biopsy. Unfortunately, blood tests for celiac disease give a false negative 65% of the time. Entero Lab also tests for gluten intolerance, which requires a gluten-free diet too.

Some facts...

New studies show that 1 in 7 people have gluten intolerance. The rates for celiac disease aren't quite as high, but are continuously rising. It's estimated that 97% of those with celiac disease are undiagnosed. 

Spread the word about celiac disease and gluten intolerance at every chance you get. It may just save someone's life. Celiac disease, if undiagnosed, can eventually lead to more severe and life-threatening conditions.

For all of us that have received our diagnosis, I consider us blessed. We are no longer eating foods that are harmful to our bodies and for that, I am thankful.

I want to thank Entero Lab for being a great way to get tested. I also want to thank my husband for his continuous support and companionship. I want to thank my mom too, for her help and support. And as always, I am very thankful for my beautiful and thriving daughter. We've learned a lot because of her allergies. We are enjoying our journey through eating gluten-free and allergy-free.

Consider trying some of these relatively easy and simple recipes:

Carrot Potato Soup

Lemon and Dill Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Coconut Ice Cream

Sophie's Sweet Sunday Morning Biscuit

Cinnamon Crunch Cookies

If you're a gluten-free blogger or love creating recipes, please join me in this month's Go Ahead Honey It's Gluten free. The theme is Pumpkin Treats.

Enjoy the month of October! :)

-heather

Raw honey, what's the difference exactly?

A while ago, I posted about how I heard that heating honey isn't a very good option. We use raw honey, but if we bake with it then it's heated - sort of defeating the purpose of it being raw in the first place. We also use raw honey for making raw recipes or just savoring out of the jar as a treat.

Our brand of choice is by Honey Gardens, check out their website here. They can be found in Vitamin Cottage, Whole Foods and other health stores around the country.

Well why is it so bad to heat honey anyways?

When honey is heated, especially above 116, the heat begins to destroy the antioxidants, enzymes and vitamins that honey has to offer. Heated honey also loses some of its natural aroma and flavor. That's not to say that heated honey is completely void of health benefits.

What about local honey?

Local honey is a good option, but make sure its raw if you are concerned about heated honey. If you want help from seasonal allergies, try to find local bee pollen. You can add it to yogurt or smoothies.

Other uses for honey

Apply honey to soothe burns and speed healing. I can tell you for a fact that it helps. I had a steam burn on my hand and I applied aloe vera juice and then honey. It was signficantly healed within just a couple of days.

Make sure it's raw

The definition of raw honey is one that is unheated and unfiltered. Unfortunately, the term "raw honey" is not regulated and companies can and do put honey on the shelf labeled "raw" when it's really not. They are allowed to filter it once and heat it to 118 degrees. That's why we use Honey Gardens, because it's truly raw.. never heated, never filtered.

A quote from the Honey Gardens web site:

"It is liquid in the honeycomb and when we bottle it, and it naturally crystallizes in the jar into a spreadable consistency, usually around October. "

While we're on the subject of honey, we keep our vitamin pantry (yes, we have a dedicated one) stocked with Elderberry tonic, which has some honey in it. This tonic is nothing short of amazing, it kicks a sore throat right out the door! It's also gluten-free, of course.

Another note

The Honey Gardens raw honey is the only honey that my daughter, who has allergies, can eat. We tried her on another honey (that's filtered + heated) and she broke out in hives. Keep in mind, when honey is heated it changes it molecular structure too.

We still bake with raw honey and we will to some degree. It's definitely still better than some other options, but it's important to remember that eating honey raw offers a lot of health benefits so don't forget your daily spoon full raw honey!

-heather

The Right Sweetener For You?

We all have a sweet tooth, even those that claim not to. Natural sweeteners are sweeping the nation, so to speak, but where does that leave you? Are you unsure of which one to pick? 

I've done the research for you and compiled a list of the natural sweeteners to stock your cupboards with and the not-so natural ones to say "no thank you" too!

Rating system: 1-5 Stars, 1 being poorest and 5 being the best.

Molasses

What is it?

One of my favorite sweeteners, molasses is the by-product of processing sugar beet or sugar cane into sugar. Blackstrap molasses is a source of calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron. One tablespoon provides up to 20 perfect of the daily value of each of those minerals. It is a great nutritional supplement, and adds a unique flavor to cooking and baking. Great in a homemade barbecue sauce :)

How does it taste?
Rich and very sweet. Molasses has a unique taste with a hint of bitterness (the good kind!).

Rating:
4 stars. Molasses is great but overpowering, it is best used in certain recipes.

Agave Nectar

What is it?

The agave sweetener comes from the agave cactus. Is it really natural? Well, sort of. Some may argue that agave is really over processed and as a result, not that healthy. You see, they extract the juice from the core of the agave cactus. The juice is then filtered and heated to hydrolyze the carbohydrates into sugars. The filtered, hydrolyzed juice is concentrated to a syrup-like liquid. It is thinner than honey. The color ranges from light to dark. The lighter the syrup, the more it has been processed. The syrup naturally contains Iron, Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium. These minerals contribute to the dark coloring of the syrup. But, the more processed it is, the less minerals the syrup contains and the lighter the color will be. Also notable, is that agave syrup is a good choice for some because of its low glycemic index.

How does it taste?

Pretty sweet, almost too sweet. Agave is considered to be around 25% sweeter than actual sugar. I find that it is best used in baked recipes to replace sugar, but don't overdo. It can also be used in making salad dressings for a slightly sweet tone.

Rating:

3 stars. Be sure to go for the darker colored agave syrups, as they contain more minerals and aren't processed as much.

Honey:
What is it?
Ah, honey. My favorite! Honey is produced by honey bees and derived from the nectar of flowers. The brand of my liking is Raw Apitherapy Honey by Honey Gardens. This honey is completely raw: unheated and unfiltered. From the web site; "The honey is liquid when it comes out of the honeycomb in the summer and crystallizes into a creamy, spreadable texture in the fall."  The color varies depending on which flowers the bees have been pollinating. Sometimes the honey is almost a white, milky color and at other times it is more yellow and sometimes almost orange. Honey is truly the nectar of life, and when the company practices responsible beekeeping, the benefit is to both us and the bees. When purchasing raw honey, please note that companies can and do label the honey raw but still filter it once and heat it to no more than 118 degrees fahrenheit. Honey Gardens honey is not filtered and not heated, at all. You can find it at some Whole Foods Markets.

How does it taste?
Honey varies in taste depending on what the bees have been pollinating. There is orange blossom honey, which has a slight citrus spark. Raw honey tastes very sweet with a hint of earthyness. It's not very noticable, but it's there. It's the taste of all the hard work the bees put into making the honey, and all the unique and distinct flavors of different pollens.

Rating: 5 stars. Honey is a great choice, but be sure to buy raw honey, because it has a high antioxidant level and contains beneficial enzymes. 

Stevia:

What is it?

Stevia Rebaudiana is an herb. It has been used for over 400 years without ill effect. It also happens to be safe for diabetics because it has no effect on glucose levels. Stevia is naturally sweet and naturally sugar free. Nothing is removed, tweaked, or added, as with artificial sweeteners on the market. Click here to learn how to start growing your own stevia patch!

How does it taste?

Sweet, potent and strong. To truly appreciate stevia, I recommend trying a leaf directly from a stevia plant. It is wonderfully sweet and natural! Stevia has been thought by some to be bitter. This is mostly because some brands of stevia were - and are - somewhat bitter. I highly recommend SteviaClear Liquid by SweetLeaf. They even offer a Stevia Concentrate Liquid, which is even less processed and even more potent. They also offer natural flavors such as Rootbeer, Grape, Vanilla Cream, Chocolate Raspberry and Apricot.

Rating: 5 stars. Give Stevia a chance!

The spin on Splenda:

My opinion is that Splenda is far from natural. Some researches say that Splenda has more in common with pesticides than anything else. That's beause the bonds holding the carbon and chlorine atoms together in Splenda are more characteristic ofa chlorocarbon than a salt - and most pesticides are chlorocarbons. I believe that it's safe to say it is better to steer clear of ingesting chlorine.

But the FDA.... also approved sweeteners in the past, such as NutraSweet, which have proven to be dangerously unsafe. The FDA also has no definition for "natural." Splenda is synthetic, but it is up to you whether or not you want to ingest it. It is true that the Splenda molecule is compromised of sucrose, but three of the hydroxyl groups in the molecule have been replaced by three chlorine atoms.

The nitty gritty.. You can easily replace Splenda with Stevia if you want to remain sugar-free.

In summation..

I believe it is best to rotate sweeteners. Use a variety: raw honey, agave nectar, molasses and stevia. Of course, there are a few sweeteners that I left out. But I wanted to focus more on the most natural sweeteners, the less processed ones.

-heather

Sources:

Agave: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave_syrup

Molasses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molasses

Splenda: http://www.womentowomen.com/nutritionandweightloss/splenda.aspx