Aspartame- Safe or Not?

[Cirion Spellbinder]

brush after every meal

How would you recommend doing this at lunch? My lunch time is currently thirty minutes long, which is just enough time for me to finish my lunch most of the time. The best I think I can do is brush about 5-7 hours after that, when I get home.

[brimstoneSalad]

brush after every meal

How would you recommend doing this at lunch? My lunch time is currently thirty minutes long, which is just enough time for me to finish my lunch most of the time. The best I think I can do is brush about 5-7 hours after that, when I get home.

That would be a case where you can't, and so should chew sugar free gum instead. Most gum is vegan, except those with gelatin in them, but I'd avoid the sour or acidic ones (usually fruit flavors).

[miniboes]

I find that it really helps me, and this could be a placebo, to concentrate. I often drink coke when studying because of that. Tea doesn't have the same effect.

Caffeine. Tea is much lower in it. Try coffee?
Although, bear in mind it has drawbacks at more than a couple cups a day.

I am quite worried about the addictive effects coffee seems to have. Can I prevent that by simply not drinking more than two a day?

I also find it might help me to not over-eat. I often get very snacky and have trouble stopping myself. Just drinking a soft drink seems to at least partly get rid of the urge to eat.

Have you tried chewing sugar free gum?

Yes, and that sometimes works. Other times it just makes me more hungry.

[EquALLity]

Note that many gums have things like gelatin and lanolin hidden under 'gum base'. You should probably check with the companies or get certified vegan gum.

Also, Orbit is made by Mars, which is notorious for gruesome animal experimentation.

[Red]

Note that many gums have things like gelatin and lanolin hidden under 'gum base'. You should probably check with the companies or get certified vegan gum.

Shit.

[brimstoneSalad]

I am quite worried about the addictive effects coffee seems to have. Can I prevent that by simply not drinking more than two a day?

Your coke contains caffeine, that's what's waking you up. You can look up the dose.

Diet Coke 12 oz. 23-47 mg caffeine

Lipton Brisk green Tea 12 oz. 6mg caffeine

Coffee 12 oz. 142 mg caffeine

You can use a higher caffeine tea, or go easy on the coffee. 1-2 cups a day should not be bad. You may have withdrawal if you stop suddenly, but addiction is not necessarily bad if the substance itself isn't harmful.

Note that many gums have things like gelatin and lanolin hidden under 'gum base'.

It's unlikely. It's mostly plastic today.

The chewy crystal bits would be made from gelatin, but that's listed on the ingredients.

[EquALLity]

^From what I'm reading, there's a good chance animal products will be hidden under 'gum base'.

Better safe than sorry, right?

[brimstoneSalad]

^From what I'm reading, there's a good chance animal products will be hidden under 'gum base'.

Better safe than sorry, right?

What are you reading?

[EquALLity]

Some chewing gums unfortunately use gum bases made of gelatin or stearic acid, derived from animal sources.

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/foodandhe ... -as-vegan/

All you need to do is email the companies you buy gum from to make sure they're vegan.
It can only do good.

[brimstoneSalad]

Some chewing gums unfortunately use gum bases made of gelatin or stearic acid, derived from animal sources.

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/foodandhe ... -as-vegan/

All you need to do is email the companies you buy gum from to make sure they're vegan.
It can only do good.

That says "some", not "good chance". This seems unlikely, and unless they have a credible source that it would be unlisted, I doubt it (I've read gelatin listed on ingredients for gum, and I know this is a concern for Jews and some Muslims as well).

http://www.gumassociation.org/index.cfm ... gredients/

With some exceptions, chewing gum generally does not contain animal-derived ingredients. Gelatin is one example of an animal derived ingredient which can be used to give a specific texture to some chewing gum products, in particular to pellet gum. When animal-derived ingredients are used in chewing gum, they are used in compliance with all appropriate safety and quality standards and they are clearly indicated on the product package in full compliance with domestic and international labeling regulations.

http://www.wrigley.com/uk/contact-us/uk ... t-faq.aspx

Are your products suitable for specific diets such halal, kosher, vegan and vegetarian?
The vast majority of our products are suitable for halal, kosher, vegan and vegetarian diets. However, to check specific product suitability please visit the brand section of our website.

http://forum.theppk.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=15342
The issue they're debating is aspartame, not gelatin or lanolin.

And Aspartame is a non-issue:
http://www.vrg.org/blog/2013/12/11/%E2% ... facturers/