I think now that the urge for sweetness is better satiated by fruit or even small pieces of natural sweets rather than Nutrasweet. The long term health effects of aspartame aren’t really understood yet, and I’m leery of chemically-created compounds like that.

Personally, if I need low-cal sweet stuff I get Splenda, since it’s derived from sugar. I would have a much tougher time making an argument against that, although I very rarely imbibe/eat Splenda, either.

WC is right, moderation is key, but meat in moderation means tiny, tiny amounts. I think Thomas Jefferson said that meat should be viewed as a seasoning rather than as a food – a serving of meat is smaller than one’s palm, and many people view anything less than a quarter pound of meat as inadequate for a meal, which is not moderation.

It’s a personal choice at the end of the day – one’s own belief system really determines much of what you do in regards to meat. For me, I think it helps the environment, saves money, improves health (digestion and longevity), but I understand that sometimes people just want a burger (because I do, too)!

I think it comes down to an enjoyment of life issue. You need to enjoy life and that might include eating meat and desserts, drinking alcohol, etc. But everything in moderation.