Technically speaking, sugarless gum and mints are allowed
in moderation to freshen your breath on the SMD.
Moderation would mean a few pieces, not packs a day.
Most sugarfree gum is sweetened with aspartame, which can trigger sugar cravings
in some individuals. Check your label - another name for aspartame is Phenylalanine or Phenylketonurics.
However, there are many brands on the market that make gums sweetened with xylitol,
such as Spry. Check your health food store for more options.
Remember, you can also chew on some parsley to freshen your breath!
Members Suggest:
"What I heard is that chewing gum sends a message to
the brain that you are processing food. And that, in turn, makes the brain release insulin, where its not needed, thinking
that food needs to be broken down in the stomach. Under "normal" conditions when you eat food, the insulin released by the
brain (throught the pancrease) will
digest the food present in the stomach. This is totally normal and this is how we get
the food digested properly etc. BUT when insulin is released UNNCESSARILY, e.g., without food in the stomach to digest, insulin
converts into ENERGY that is NOT BURNED in itself causing such maladies as hypogloxemia, or energy that isn't expelled
therefore
turns into fat. So what that means is that now we have created unnecessary calories just by chewing gum." -fairkismet
