What Plastics Do to Your Body plus More on Chewing Gum for Weight Loss
We all are concerned about our health & many of my readers are label & ingredient readers. They try to do their best to eat foods in their natural form or buy foods that at least have ingredients on them that we can pronounce! I know many of you are particular about the use of artificial sweeteners as well. I have admitted that I use Splenda & have yet to find one of the newer natural sweeteners that my stomach can handle.I am sure many of you have researched the ongoing arguments about the dangers of plastics. I read a good article that provides information to think about. The writer starts this way: “Plastic is absolutely everywhere–our food is packaged in it, our clothes are often made out of it, and even baby toys are made of plastic,” Haegele says. “It was scary that something that was such a big part of my life might be dangerous.” Scientists are more concerned about BPA which in studies of animals has been linked to cancer, infertility, obesity among other things. "BPA is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic or items marked with the number 7 on the bottom. Some plastic dishes, cups, reusable water bottles and baby bottles are made out of polycarbonate. Heating foods in polycarbonate plastic increases the amount of BPA that leaches into food."
There is lots of additional info in this article, What Plastics Do to Your Body along with the below too. Read the full article at the previous link.
Safer Plastics
#1 PETE or PET (polyethylene terephthalate)–used for most clear beverage bottles, such as 2-liter soda, cooking oil bottles and peanut butter jars. One of the most commonly recycled plastics on the planet.
#2 HDPE (high-density polyethylene)–used to make most milk jugs.
#4 LDPE (low-density polyethylene)–used in food storage bags, some cling wraps and some squeeze bottles.
#5 PP (polypropylene)–used in opaque, hard containers, including some baby bottles and some cups and bowls. Drinking straws and yogurt containers are sometimes made with this.
Avoid These
#3 PVC (polyvinyl chloride)–used in commercial plastic wraps and salad dressing bottles.
#6 PS (polystyrene)–used in Styrofoam cups, meat trays and “clam-shell”-type containers.
#7 Other (these contain any plastic other than those used in #1-6. Most are polycarbonate which contain BPA)–used in some water bottles, Nalgene water bottles, some baby bottles, and some metal can linings.
Easy Tips
• Using plastic water bottles? Go for a metal or stainless steel container instead.
• Using a plastic spatula? Try using a wooden spoon instead.
• Using Tupperware? Try pyrex glass containers that go straight from the fridge to the oven.
• Buying ready-to-drink juices? Frozen concentrate stores longer and is typically packaged in paper.
• Using plastic cutting boards? How about a bamboo cutting board?
• Using a plastic lunch box? A stainless steel laptop lunchbox provides a sturdy, elegant alternative.
***Let's Talk Chewing Gum! I just wanted to bring this up again because there are so many news reports out now telling people that are trying to lose weight that studies show chewing gum helps them to not only eat less and curb their hunger but it helps with weight loss. Some of the studies are conducted by the chewing gum companies! Hey, if you can handle sugar free gum & it helps you, go for it! BUT, let me point out again that chewing gum can lead to MAJOR BLOATING. See my post, Flatter Stomach - Causes of Bloating. In this post, I write:
SUGAR-FREE GUM: Last but not least!!!! I am bolding this just in case you are one of those people that use sugar-free gum to help control eating or stress. I used to be one of those in my 20's. I had horrible stomach probs!!! I chewed a lot of sugar-free gum. I started to think about whether the gum might be a cause of some of my tummy probs. I cut out all sugar-free gum cold turkey & my stomach probs got so much better. I still have issues with my veggies & dairy but I know how to deal with that. BUT THE GUM WAS A HUGE PART OF IT AS WELL. Sugar-free gum has sugar alcohols like sorbitol, xylitol & other ingredients that end in "tol". These ingredients cause major bloating for many. Also, you tend to swallow a lot of air when chewing gum. If you chew a lot of sugar-free gum, cut it out & see if this helps at all. It did for me! Other foods, bars and sugar free candy also have some of these ingredients so as I always say... READ LABELS!
As always, hope you find this information useful & thank you for visiting!
I just wanted to add to the discussion about sweeteners: I have been using Stevia for several years without any problems whatsoever. I like it for me because it's a naturally occurring substance/product, not synthetic, like Splenda, Nutrasweet, etc. Like Jody says, though, each of us needs to experiment with these substances (and foods, supplements, personal hygiene products, etc., too) to be aware of how our body reacts to certain substances we use and consume.
Reply to this
Hi Bethe, my sister for those that did not catch that. She lives & breathes good food & has a very eco friendly life!
I wish my stomach could handle stevia. I will keep trying to find something more natural that is not too many calories. I like to spend my calories in food!
Reply to this
Thanks for the info about plastic and which ones to avoid. As far as the gum chewing goes, when I had stomach problems a few years ago, the gastro doctor told me to avoid chewing gum b/c it caused excess air intake which caused excess gas which caused bloating. Bloating+ not fun. As far the artifical sweeteners in the gum go, I rest my case. lol
Reply to this
I personally can't handle Splenda. I know they are a big supporter for the American Diabetes Association, but I get unbelievable migraines from it. I use sweet n low in my coffee and of course my diet pepsi has aspartame, but I don't consume it nearly as much as I use to.
Reply to this
I've been avoiding the issue of plastics for some time now. I hate that my efforts to living well sometimes involves so much more effort. I better start paying attention to these plastics "codes" you listed. Good stuff.
Reply to this
Thank you for the helpful info about good/bad plastics. I never was aware of what exactly the "bad plastics" were. It is just so mind boggling that they are still being used. I have been trying to stay clear of plastics-but like you said they are everywhere! I now know which ones I need to stay away from!!
Reply to this
Thx to all for your thoughts & comments!
Kristi, yes, bloating is no fun! And I stay clear of those artificial sweeteners.
Cher, I do know people that get headaches like you. We all have to find what works for us.
Yup, Josie, so much to think about. We all try & that is what counts. We can't be perfect.
Amanda, thx for visiting! Glad you got some good info!
Reply to this
Thank goodness you posted this!!! I am behind you 100% on the chewing gum with artificial sweeteners!! Every time The Biggest Loser does a "commercial" for Extra Sugar-Free Gum I could scream!
Reply to this
I have been known to scream when they talk gum on the Biggest Loser!!! I know too many people that have trouble with gum & those artificial sweeteners in it. Thx for visiting!
Reply to this
Biggest Loser is obsessed with Extra sugarless gum!
Reply to this
VERY interesting about the gum... I LOVE chewing gum... but the stomach bloating makes sense. thanks for posting this!
Reply to this
Glad I could help & thx for visiting!
Reply to this