Spooktacular Chance to Win

The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is hosting a “Haunted Lagoon Art Contest.” This creative contest is open to students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Entries are being accepted between Aug. 31 and Sept. 21. One grand-prize winner will receive 25 tickets to the Haunted Lagoon at PCC for the winner’s class. Contest entries are free, but they are limited to one per student. Keiki may submit original artwork, color a generic artwork sheet or combine the two. Entrant application, generic artwork sheet and official rules can be downloaded at hauntedlagoon.com.

The Sweet Alternatives

According to David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding, authors of Eat This Not That for Kids, not all artificial sweeteners are created equal, and it’s best to avoid excessively sweetened foods, artificial or not. When possible, shoot for natural ingredients and a short ingredient list.

Aspartame »»»» LIMIT
What is it? A low-calorie, artificial sweetener.
Potential Dangers: Some researchers claim to have linked aspartame to brain tumors and lymphoma, but the FDA insists that the sweetener is safe for humans. The Center for Science in the Public Interest states that children should avoid drinks sweetened with aspartame.
Found in: NutraSweet, Equal, Diet Coke, Sugar-Free Popsicles.

Acesulfame Potassium »»»» LIMIT
What is it? A zero-calorie sweetener that often appears with sucralose or aspartame to create a flavor closer to sugar.
Potential Dangers: In 2003, the FDA approved acesulfame-K for everything except meat. Although the FDA does not recognize the sweetener as a carcinogen, some experts disagree. Large doses have been shown to cause problems in the thyroid glands of rats, rabbits and dogs.
Found in: PowerAde Zero, Coke Zero, Breyers No-Sugar-Added Vanilla Ice Cream.

Sucralose »»»» SAFE
What is it? A zero-calorie sugar derivative.
Potential Dangers: After reviewing more than 110 animal and human studies, the FDA decided in 1999 to approve sucralose for use in all foods.
Found in: Splenda, Minute Maid Fruit Falls, Dannon Light & Fit.

Sugar Alcohols »»»» LIMIT
What is it? A group of alcohols such as lcatilol, sorbitol, and manitol that provide roughly 25 percent fewer calories than sugar.
Potential Dangers: Sugar alcohols are applauded for not causing tooth decay and providing a smaller impact on blood sugar. Because they aren’t well digested, sugar alcohols may cause intestinal discomfort, gas and diarrhea.
Found in: Smuckers Sugar-Free Breakfast Syrup, Wrigley’s Gym, Jell-O Sugar-Free Cups.

Saccharin »»»» AVOID
What is it? A chemically complex, zero-calorie sweetener.
Potential Dangers: Between 1977 and 2000, the FDA mandated that saccharin-containing products carry labels warning consumers about the risk of cancer, due largely to the development of bladder tumors in saccharin-consuming rats.
Found in: Sweet’N Low.