Yep - Aspartame

[Franklin Lee]

i know this has been talked about before and I know Dr Atkins condemns the use of Aspartame- but does aspartame slow or stop weight loss - in induction phase

thanks for you help and opinions

[Hudson]

Re: Yep - Aspartame

I don't think there is any doubt you are better off without any artificial sweeteners. Both general health and weight loss. And my personal experience is that Nutrasweet will make you hold on to a little weight you would have lost without it. All things being equal.

But, it is better to have a little Aspartame (I much prefer Splenda) and stay on track, then to swear off the stuff only to eat 8 chocolate chip cookies.

[not2late]

Re: Yep - Aspartame

i know this has been talked about before and I know Dr Atkins condemns the use of Aspartame- but does aspartame slow or stop weight loss - in induction phase

thanks for you help and opinions

That is exactly why Dr. Atkins did not want us using aspartame. He found that "excessive" amounts had the tendency to slow or stop weight loss in some individuals not only during Induction Phase but also during the other two weight loss phases of Atkins as well. In the 1992 edition of the book, he defined "excessive" as more than 2-3 servings of it daily.

[Franklin Lee]

Re: Yep - Aspartame

does that mean I could have one or two diet cokes a day and still be okay? I know Coke has a spenda version... but I am buying generic

[DuchessOfDork]

Re: Yep - Aspartame

No, because caffeine also stalls weight loss, and there's more of that nasty syrup in diet coke than in the regular kind. Your best bet is not to drink it at all.

[Franklin Lee]

Re: Yep - Aspartame

will one a day kill me?

[TitianWasp]

Re: Yep - Aspartame

The best way to find out is to try. Go two or three weeks without it, and see if things speed up. If it makes no difference for you, you can probably drink it. Bear in mind that both caffeine and sweet stuff, even fake sweet stuff, can make people crave.

As an aside, it did not slow weightloss for me, but started causing desperately fierce headaches and dizziness. I was drinking way too much of it at the time (roughly 2 liters of crystal light a day), but now I can't drink any at all without the headche returning. A bit of research showed it's pretty nasty towards brain cells. I have few enough of those left, so I cut it out altogether.

[Dropzofjupiter29]

Re: Yep - Aspartame

I am on my 2nd week of induction. And I do have 1-2 diet sodas a day. But I have noticed that my weight loss is slower. I did atkins 2 years ago and lost alot faster. But back then I was drinking water, and diet rite soda (made with splenda) So I do notice the change. Diet rite is really really good. Especially the peach flavor. But they have lots of flavors and cola too. Id give it a shot if you really need the soda. Everyones body is different. If your happy with the amount of weight loss your seeing with the diet soda in your diet, then go for it. Maybe try one week without it and see if theirs a difference.

[Bluebelt2007]

Re: Yep - Aspartame

will one a day kill me?

It certainly will not help you. Like many here I used to be a diet coke junkie, I can only tell you that I feel so much better now.

Just my opinion but I would avoid Aspartame/NutraSweet like the plague.

Good Luck.

[Mirya]

Re: Yep - Aspartame

OK here is the scoop. ANY artificial sweetners can stall you. Caffiene can stall you, if you are going to drink diet soda drink something made with splenda or sucralose and it is best to drink a clear soda. Otherwise drink a non caffiene version .....
it doesn't do it JUST in the induction phase. It has been found to stall weight loss period,

Do you have a copy of Dr. Atkins 2002 edition? It has all the necessary info in it.

[Franklin Lee]

Re: Yep - Aspartame

Yes, I do have the 02 edition... just wondered what the experience was of most people... sounds like maybe I should find another alternative

[APanthesilia]

Re: Yep - Aspartame

I was totally like you at the beginning! I had a major diet coke habit (sometimes one of the huge bottles in one day) and the first week I knew I wasn't supposed to have caffeine so I had caffeine free diet coke. From the second week onward I totally quit, cold turkey. I was having a hard time getting in my required amount of water and the diet coke that I wanted. So I switched diet coke (and pretty much every other beverage) for water and I can't tell you how much better I feel. I know that there are many reasons for how much better I feel but I know that quitting diet coke had a lot to do with it. Not to mention all the added benefits of drinking all the water I'm supposed to! I know it's tough! Maybe you could just try a week or two substituting water for diet coke. If you are anything like me you won't even miss it.

[blue996]

Re: Yep - Aspartame

I haven't had a diet soda in almost six months and don't even miss it. Cut it out and drink water instead!

[gottalose70]

Re: Yep - Aspartame

I'd agree with Titian Wasp. Not only do I drink diet Root Beer, but I started craving grapefruit, which is not permitted in the Induction phase. I tried to hold out but eventually gave in and ate a large grapefruit each day for two weeks...my ketone strips stayed dark purple.

Then again.....I exercise like I'm crazy 5 days each week.

[kate58]

Re: Yep - Aspartame

I'm another who quit Diet Coke at the start of doing Atkins - and I was a serious addict, a minimum of 2 litres daily

I gave up cold turkey because I just knew it was wrong and because I knew I'd never be able to get my water in as well. Between that and starting induction I had the headache from **** for about 2-3 days, but it passed and I am absolutely convinced that the way I feel now has a lot to do with all that asparteme and caffiene is out of my system.

Better sleep is a major thing - I actually sleep less, but so much better and wake feeling refreshed, not muggy and exhausted. I know it's largely down to carbs gone and the extra plain water, but believe that ditching the coke played a very big part too.