Sugarless Candies

No. It is not safe. I absolutely cannot eat or drink anything with aspertame. When I do, the world moves much to quickly for me to follow. I can't engage in conversations because it takes me so long to understand what was said.

It took a college prof. to notice something wasn't right with me some days. One day after class he pulled me aside and commented that the day before I couldn't tie my own shoes, literally, and this day I was fastest in the class. He commented this had happened all semester and in the other classes I had with him (3- small sized classes). He pulled out his notes and showed me that he had made tally marks in his book about how often I participated in each class and there was a trend. Since I have great days and non-participating days. More over he noticed it was worse after lunch and tapered off the next morning. He suspected an allergy to something I was eating. Together I made a chart of everything I ate for a two-weeks. It was the gum I was chewing AFTER LUNCH.

I don't think it is safe.

As for candy for your 2 yr. old. Every time you give in when she screams for it, she's learning she'll get it. If you give in some times, she's going to keep trying, in hopes that this will be the time you give it to her.

Let her cry. Then one day, one time, when she is not crying and throwing a fit, give her a candy.

I'm a tough love kind of mom. I said no, so it's no. Don't keep asking. My daughter doesn't beg, hollar, or whine for what she wants. She needs to explain the reasoning and if it is sound and she's considered all options, and I can see her point, yes. She's seven, so that won't work with a two year old. When I say no, I have a reason, like dinner is in half an hour, we're driving in the car (no hard candy in mouth in car), etc.

Stephanie

I would just stop giving her candy altogether. She doesn't need it anyway. Substitute something healthy that is somewhat sweet and it should satisfy her sweet tooth. Giving in to her screaming for candy will only get worse as she gets older.

Mother of 2 month old.

I don't have the expertise to answer the artificial sugar question - but it sounds like you're already getting answers to that. I would just note that "she screams or cries until you give her some" sounds like you are rewarding screaming and crying. It might seem like you need to do it because she is making such a fuss, but the reality is you are training her to be a fusser (at least when she thinks candy may be present). Please "bite the bullet" and say "absolutely no more". You will have to put up with the extinction burst - the time when the screaming gets worse and worse because, darn it, it's always worked in the past - but within a week you will have put it all behind you.

In the meantime you can find a healthier treat - grapes (cut up if your child is still in the choking stage), apples, real 100% fruit juice, even maybe a honey straw - and be sure to offer it only when she is behaving sweetly. "Oh look how nicely you're playing" or "I love your sweet smile" and then "Who wants some yummy grapes?".

Good luck!

Don't give her hard candies! my two year old choked on one it is not fun watching your child turn blue!

the aspartame causes headaches for my husband and a known affect of it is diareaha. Give her cold seedless grapes cut into fourths. She will love them and they are good for her.

Hi M. -

I feel your pain! I have a 2 year old that loves candy. But I would highly recommend not using sugarless or low sugar items with aspartame. It is awful for everyone and especially little ones. It has been shown to cause so many problems and I personally found out I was allergic to it (after being addicted to Diet Pepsi) and I have never felt better now that I don't use it. It is hard to avoid though as it is in a bunch of things. Just google it though and you will find a bunch of information on why you should avoid it. Our pediatrician was strongly against giving it to kids too.

As far as a substitute though it is tough. I try to give my little one licorice or something that takes a while to eat and also it not filled with fat. Also, distraction is a huge help. Once he has eaten a piece of licorice and screams for more then I usually try to distract him and show him something or do something different. Tough but usually works.

Good luck!
C.