Diet Soda & Autism Connection?

Hi, there, hot pants! Twice a month, I share three useful things to help keep readers moving with intention toward change. Here are this week’s picks…

1. STUDIES SHOW DIET SODA LINKED TO AUTISM?
   According to a study released in August 2023, a team of researchers say they have discovered a link between little boys diagnosed with autism with their mothers drinking at least one diet soda daily or consuming an equivalent amount of the sweetener aspartame during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
   
   In the study, the researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio asked the parents of 235 children with an autism spectrum disorder and 121 children without autism, who were the study’s controls, to complete a retrospective questionnaire about their diet soda and aspartame intake while pregnant or breastfeeding their children.
   
   While we know there are many different reasons for disease, studies like this show us there is a possibility food can be related. And if there’s even a possibility, isn’t that enough?
   
   If you enjoy soda, here are some healthy alternatives!
   
   Olipop: Olipop is a new-age fizzy tonic that boasts prebiotics, plant fiber, and botanicals that not only taste great but also help your digestive health. The best part is its lineup of flavors only contain between 2 to 5g sugar and 45 calories per can.
   
   Poppi: Poppi is a better-for-you prebiotic soda great for gut health and an extra immunity boost. Each can has real, clean ingredients and boasts fewer than 25 calories and 5g sugar. All contain the brand's star ingredient: pure, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. With classic and fruit flavors, and 90 percent less sugar than other sodas, this popular soda is worth a try!
   
   Kin Spritz: Kin Spritz is a sparkling bev with ingredients intended to rouse your mind and invigorate energy levels. It’s crafted with fresh citrus, warm spice, hibiscus, ginger, and caffeine plus adaptogens like rhodiola rosea and nootropics(brain booster) like GABA, which work in tandem to get you through your morning or afternoon slump.

2. IS OUR DRINKING WATER REALLY THAT BAD FOR US? 
   It’s about that time again. Time for the local water department to send out their test results where they will have a line in there that reads our local water supply tested for XYZ and found traces of XYZ. Z has been known to cause cancer, but you’ll never drink enough for that to happen.
   
   Good Grief.
   
   Well, since those little handy letters don’t tell you everything about the report, HERE is a place you can find exactly what was in the test. Simply enter your Zip Code and read all of the results! On that site, you can also find information on in home water purifiers as well as which systems will work best with the contaminants you’re facing.
   
   Below is a photo from just one of the tests ran in my Zip Code:

My recommendation for in home filtration systems: Reverse Osmosis System

My recommendation for purchasing bulk water — local near me: The Hydration Station! Hydration Station provides families with super affordable purified water!

3. TALLY YOUR DAILY SUGAR INTAKE WITH SIMPLE KINDERGARTEN MATH
   We all know the truth, although none of us want to admit it. High sugar intake is bad news for health.
   
   But Why? Well, consistent overconsumption of sugar increases insulin production and resistance which oftentimes leads to type 2 diabetes, not to mention it’s been linked to many inflammatory conditions that were once thought to be solely hereditary. Diseases like Alzheimer’s (now referred to as type 3 diabetes) and cancer.
   
   Awareness is the first step in reducing sugar, but how many of us are aware of the sugar we consume through everyday foods? And for that matter, just how much we’re taking in? Think: bread, sauces, condiments, dressings, frozen meals, juices, processed meats, and cereal. Sugar goes way beyond the candy aisle.
   
   Let’s try simple math:
   On the back of a food label, you’ll see sugar listed in grams, but not many people can visualize what that equates to. Teaspoons, on the other hand, are easier to visualize.
   
   Here’s an easy math solution to determine how many teaspoons of sugar you’re eating: Divide the number of grams by 4.
   
   For example, an average can of Coke has almost 40 grams of sugar. Divide the grams by 4. That equals to 10 teaspoons of sugar in one can of Coke.
   
   For additional reference, adult bodies are designed to handle only 1-2 teaspoons of sugar at any one time and only up to 8-9 teaspoons daily (40g/day) So, while we like to say, “oh, it’s just one soda” or “oh, it’s just one dish of ice cream.” Those “it’s just one-s” add up and before we know it, we’ve had a 100-140 grams of sugar in one day.

Interested in learning more about sugar? I recommend the Documentary “That Sugar Film” It is eye opening and super informative- good for the whole family!

BONUS RECIPE:
Hearty Portuguese Kale Soup
I just had this recipe tonight while traveling up north with the husband. This hearty soup will not only leave you feeling full, but it’ll also leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Plus, it’s packed with great ingredients!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

• ¹⁄₂cup diced onion

• ¹⁄₂diced turnip (optional, but so good!)

• ¹⁄₂cup diced carrot

• 1 bunch kale, stemmed and roughly chopped

• 6 ounces Italian sausage, or kielbasa (or omit for vegetarian)

• 3 bay leaves

• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves

• 6 cups vegetable stock

• 1 cup kidney beans

• ³⁄₄cup diced tomato (6 ounces)

• 10 ounces diced potatoes (about 2 medium, dice small) 

DIRECTIONS

• In a large stock pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onions, turnips, meat of choice and carrots — cook for 5 minutes.

• Add the kale, bay leaves, parsley and thyme and mix well. Add the veg. stock, beans and tomatoes. Bring the soup to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes.

• Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil and add the diced potatoes. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain the potatoes and add them to the soup.

• Remove the bay leaves and serve hot. Enjoy!

Friends, that’s a wrap! You hung in here to the end and I am so proud of you! Remember, it’s all about small changes and being consistent with them. Start small and see where this journey takes you. Like always, reach out if you need help or further encouragement.

cheering you on,
kati g.

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