I typically like to have a stick of chewin’ gum after a meal, but I’m not sure about the propriety of the sugar free gums out there. Are they a huge No No? Since I’m essentially OMAD now, for the most part, I also don’t really crave gum either…except for after a meal. I can do without it, but am wondering any of y’all’s thoughts on it.
Somethin' Fresh After a Meal
robintemplin
(Robin)
#2
That’s a new one, and I have no idea. Can’t imagine there’s be too much sugar in one stick of gum. If it brings you joy and you are staying on course with your food, I say Go for it!
PaulL
(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?)
#3
Sugar (sucrose) has addictive properties for many people, so treat the gum with caution. Some people even find the sweetness of sugar-free gum to be a trap, just as many recovering alcoholics have been seduced back into drinking by alcohol-free beer. If you are a sugar addict, you will probably find it easier to go without sweetness altogether, rather than to try to moderate your habit. If you are not an addict, mazel tov.
Annoula
#4
I will probably sound like a goody-goody with this answer, but it’s my honest opinion: how about brushing your teeth? This is what I’ve done ever since my 20’s (and I’m over 60 now…) to tell my body that the meal is over. Brushing your teeth gives you the ‘freshness’ you crave, and in a mild way also leaves you with a feeling of sweetness.
If that doesn’t do it for you, consider a small amount of berries for refreshment and sweetness.
Shortstuff
(Allie)
#5
Personally I find gum addictive (sugar-free), don’t know why, but it’s best for me to avoid it completely. When I need a fresh feeling after a meal, I just brush my teeth.
Rebj
(Rebecca )
#6
Yes! Whenever I chewed gum in the past, I always got hungry. Maybe it’s the act of chewing with the flavor that triggered it.
Shinita
#7
I personally don’t care, I use gum when I like. But it’s very rare, it’s not food, it’s actually unneeded, has various stuff in it, package, burdening the Earth… It’s not like I can’t avoid using it (like coffee… that is so unneeded and it would be better without but I have serious difficulties). So it’s an occasional treat. Hard to find a good one as they tend to be uncomfortably sweet, ewww.
But I have a fav kind, it’s not too sweet, super fresh and even cheap… I don’t like spend much money on some unneeded gum with various artificial stuff.
The sweetness may trigger something one doesn’t want. Or may not. I don’t worry about the ingredients as I use it so super rarely, I would think about it more if it would be a daily occurance.
Makes sense but I can’t get hungry if I am stuffed with my OMAD meal. So that time is safe. (Except if I consume carbs, they can make “wonders” regarding hunger, even after a lot of fatty protein.)
Fangs
#8
so agree
to the OP----want ‘fresh’ it means cleaning your mouth and you are using gum to do that in some way so yea, clean the mouth just as Annoula suggested. Brush up and clean it out 
you are ‘using’ gum as this action, which I get 
but you don’t need gum ever in our lives truly so, think natural and clean and what Annoula said hits it all spot on.
Plus think of it this way, once you brushed and feel fresh and fine and happy and got that good feeling after eating a fine great meal… your eating is over til ya need it again. Like brushing is your final action for a meal. It is a good way to put a stop gap in our brains in a way.
On the road and out and about, there are tons of small teeth brushing conveniences you can use vs. grabbing that gum and they fit into pocket or purse so…you can change this habit easily if you focus on doing just that…good luck!!