so i am trying to quit smoking and am chewing a lot of sugar free gum because of it. obviously gum is not raw and does have additives that are bad....but how bad is it? just curious....cause i need it right now while i quit smoking but i feel guilty chewing it!

thanks

d

Those artificial sweeteners are pretty bad, but as a temporary crutch, do whatever you have to do. Personally, I think I would prefer straight up sugar.

What about dried fruit - it's pretty chewy and sweet?

Somebody told me once that they had good luck chewing on a clove (from your spice cupboard), although I haven't tried it. Don't be too hard on yourself, no matter what you have to do. Better to use a bad temporary crutch than to fail.

You're doing great, I am so proud of you!!!!

Here's a video about aspartame: Sweet Misery

Sapphire

thanks sapphire. i will watch the video shortly. i figured sugar free gum before dried fruit or some other food cause i certainly dont need the added calories of more food. I eat too much as it is! and still feel i need to lose 10 pounds...which probably will turn into gaining 10 lbs with the attempt to become a non smoker. did you gain weight when you quit?
turning to raw food...trying to quit smoking...all in the same 3 weeks. now if i could just try and get my relationship with food in general to change. ha ha.

thanks again for all your superior support sapphire!

try a more natural alternative I know they have tons of brands at health food stores, almost everywhere.

I'll say I gained some weight when I quit smoking (I was pregnant), hahaha!!!!

Seriously though, you might gain a little, but don't let it bother you - you can lose it quite easily AFTER the cravings are gone - I'd try my hardest not to worry about that just now. The good thing is that if you are going raw, you probably won't gain as much as you might have otherwise unless you go really crazy with the fats. Keep lots of cut up veggies in the fridge for some of your snack cravings (best to have them in a container, prepared and ready to eat if you can) - I dare you to eat enough raw vegetables to get fat, it's probably impossible! But don't be afraid of fruit either, you will appreciate the sweetness more and more as your taste buds improve.

Oh yes, be sure to eliminate words like "trying" or "attempting". Tell everyone that you have done it, you have quit. You are a non-smoker now. Brag about it!

Sapphire

wow sapphire what an interesting video. i have forwarded it to my sister and a couple friends...

thanks!