You’ve already read that sugar is bad, so you might be thinking that artificial
sweeteners are okay on the Perfect 10 Diet. Actually, they’re worse. There are
many sweeteners on the market. The list includes saccharin (Sweet’N Low),
aspartame (Equal), and sucralose (Splenda). It’s important to note that all these
sweeteners are manmade. Aspartame has been linked to cancer in animal studies.
Splenda has been linked as a trigger for migraines, and to a sluggish thyroid.
Artificial sweeteners are not natural to our bodies, and they’re loaded with
chemicals. The long-term effects on our health are unknown, so avoid them.
On the Perfect 10 Diet, I prefer stevia and agave. Stevia, which is sweeter than
sugar, is extracted from the Stevia rebaudiana leaf, a shrub found in South
America. Indians have safely consumed it for hundreds of years. I carry stevia
packets to use in my tea when I’m away from home. Unfortunately, stevia is not
widely available in supermarkets since the FDA banned its sale in 1991 because
of some safety issues. Just a few years ago, this ban was lifted, and the study
used to support the ban was later found to be flawed. Look for stevia at GNC
and Whole Foods stores.
I also like agave on the Perfect 10 Diet, which is extracted from a Mexican
cactus. It is natural and has a low glycemic index, which makes it a safe
sweetener for diabetics, and it has a minimal impact on insulin. If you must use
sweeteners at high temperatures, use agave.
Sweeteners to Avoid
• High-fructose corn syrup
• Honey
• Maple syrup
• Molasses
• Sugar
*Although these sweeteners are natural, the body treats them exactly the same
way as sugar, so they should be avoided.
Beverages on the Perfect 10 Diet
The list of acceptable beverages on the Perfect 10 Diet is quite extensive, but
several should be completely avoided. I will go over them all—the good, the
bad, and the ugly.
What about Soda?