You a gum chewer?  I thought everyone was, but apparently that’s not the case.  I am.  My kid sure is, and my wife is.  The only rub though, is that we don’t let junior consume Aspartame.  Why?  Do you really care?

More importantly, when’s the last time you really looked at the ingredients in gum while browsing the massive selection at Target?  It ALL has Aspartame.  All of it.  In fact, I defy you to find any gum that doesn’t have it.  It’s true, there are a few (some varieties of Bubblicious, Juicy Fruit), but more or less, all gum contains Aspartame now.  So what does a nu hippie family like mine do?  I’ll tell you what we’re sure as hell NOT doing.  This:

This is Spry gum.  This is the stuff my dentist tells me to buy, as it contains Xylitol, a natural sweetener that happens to NOT cause your balls to fall off from cancer.  Xylitol is found in the fiber of fruit & veggies, and has roughly 2/3 the “food energy” of sucrose.  This means it doesn’t make you as fat.  Here’s the issue though:  the gum is crap.  It starts off overly sweet, with an odd taste, and then, as fast as it came, the flavor is GONE.  I’m talking 30 seconds here, people.  Not cool.  At all.

Recently we were sent PUR gum, in 4 flavors, featuring Xylitol as well.  The only difference?  This stuff actually tastes good.

I’m not going to go int0 any great detail – it’s just gum – but the highest compliment I can pay this is to say it tastes remarkably like Eclipse, Orbit, or any other space themed gum that’s sugar free.  Good strong minty flavors, nice and long lasting, familiar packaging – this is good stuff people.  And on a serious note, it’s nice to be able to have some minty gum that my kid can chew. Unless you think it’s OK for him to be deprived of such pleasures, while all the kids who’s parents don’t love them enough continue to get Aspartame.  If that’s how you feel, then…that’s fine.  But you’re really a bad person.  Very bad.

Me though?  Given the option to buy Aspartame laden gum or this-I’m going with PUR.  Of note, the Pomegranate Mint is pretty darn yummy.  Candy Gurus seal of approval here.  Nothing wrong with being healthy, is there?