Diet Sodas, foods labeled as "sugarless" "sugar free" "diet foods" "low calorie" and the like - You had better be careful and read the label to see if they contain ASPARTAME.

Besides diet soft drinks, the main culprits are the sweetener in the BLUE PACKETS - "EQUAL" and the BRAND NAME SWEETENER "NUTRASWEET".

Aspartame:  An FDA approved natural sweetener made from amino acids, can change levels of chemicals in the brain that affect behavior.  Scientific testing to establish aspartame’s safety prior to FDA approval resulted in brain tumors and grand mal seizures in rat studies, and depression, menstrual irregularities, constipation, headaches, tiredness, and general swelling in human test groups.  When exposed to heat, aspartame breaks down into toxic methyl alcohol.  This may occur even at temperatures reached by diet sodas during regular storage.  Aspartame is poison and extremely acid forming.

Aspartame can be found on the ingredients list in the following products:

Soft drinks, over-the-counter drugs & prescription drugs (very common and listed under "inactive ingredients"), vitamin & herb supplements, yogurt, instant breakfasts, candy, breath mints, cereals, sugar-free chewing gum, cocoa mixes, coffee beverages, instant breakfasts, gelatin desserts, frozen desserts, juice beverages, laxatives, milk drinks, shake mixes, tabletop sweeteners, tea beverages, instant teas and coffees, topping mixes, wine coolers, etc.

Please check labels carefully and compare it against the list of "Sweeteners to Avoid".  Many people make the mistake of not checking labels carefully and continue to poison themselves.  In addition, many people do not realize that their children may be given aspartame or other artificial sweetener-containing foods or drugs at school without their knowledge. Talk to the school director and to the local PTA to assure that this does not happen.

Many people find it much easier to avoid toxic sweeteners by shopping at the local, large health food store when possible.  Many health food stores have banned artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame) for obvious reasons.  But it is still important to check labels as some health food stores are unknowingly selling aspartame, acesulfame-k, and sucralose!