Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

[chellybobs]

Hi there,

I dont know if the international ANA users are aware but the UK government doesnt have as many restrictions on additives or sweeteners (YET) - in food, so 99% of foods in the UK that are classed as 'no added sugar' ie Jelly (jello), diet pop (soda) have Aspartaime in them! The only way you can get Splenda over here is granual or tablet (tiny ones for tea/coffee), and it is in the higher cost bracket of sweeteners approx 5 - 6 USD.
Its really frustrating that some countries recognise the evils of certain additives and others accept them!
So ontop of the fact that if you go into a supermarket over here and ask for something low carb the assistant looks at you like youve just asked for a swift kick up the backside with a wet fish!! ie 'Doh - low what? oh you want the organic aisle ' NO I DONT!!!!!

So the good side is us UK followers end up eating non processed and fresh veg, fruit and meat.
The downside is that is because WE HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE!!!

RANT OVER!!! (Cant you tell Ive been shopping today! Walmart took our 'Asda' stores over a few years ago but still no low carb foods, more TV's and Homeware tho lol)
Chelle xxxx

[Zarabelle]

Re: Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

Hi there

I hear you!

Have you checked out lowcarbmegastore.com? You can get most low carb items on there such as sugar free syrups etc.

Zx

[Ohbehave007]

Re: Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

I feel your pain...it's the same here.

[chinadoll]

Re: Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

chelly, consider it a blessing in disguise. You are doing Atkins the way it was meant to be done and I find it so much easier to stick to long term without the low carb stuff and sweeteners, honest.

[DSK]

Re: Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

chellybobs I understand exactly what you mean! Asda was a nightmare for me too!

I have not looked at any low carb stuff though...I just tend to stick with fresh meat and veg

[chellybobs]

Re: Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

Thats what Im doing, when you see some of the recipes, say on Lindas site for example, even induction ones call for something and its like, ?????? EHHH???? Yet they look so delish!!
None of the bars or shakes appeal to me, id do slimfast if that was the case lol, but i like the idea of homebaking cakes, bread etc but you try getting soya flour in the uk not to mention other things!! lol
I have seen lowcarb megastore, and avidlite, Ill prob treat myself when i get off induction. It gets to me tho that due to the high cost of the imported ingredients it has to be a 'treat' just to eat the way i want! gggrrr!!
2ND RANT OVER LOL!!
Chelle
PS Noones helped me with my Squid thread in the requesting recipes yet (( Ive bought some for tea and dont know what to do with it lol!

[Labarum]

Re: Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

Splenda is not the only Atkins legal sweetener. Saccharin is also permitted. I use both.

Splenda granules are particularly expensive. If I need a power, I crush the tablets between two teaspoons.

I use Splenda only when taste is an issue. Often it is not, and often I prefer the slightly metallic taste of Saccharin - it goes well with lemon.

I use liquid Hermesetas a lot.

Boots do not stock it, but most independent chemists will get it for you in a couple of days.

Sweetener Products - Hermesetas online

Note here

Nutrition Information on Hermesetas - Sweetener Products

The Mini Tablets and the Liquid is Atkins legal

The other products are not.

[whiterabbit454]

Re: Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

ive lost 8lbs so far on the diet .... but i will not ust artificial sweetners ... the use a explosive substance to make splenda..i dont know about the others... i just think there is too much garbage in our food without adding more to it...just my 2 cents
nita

[DSK]

Re: Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

I use liquid Hermesetas a lot.
The other products are not.

They are legal? Really? I stopped using them when I started the diet I picked up the tiny table form at my local co-op but as I had not got the packet when I started I could not check what was in them so I put them to one side!

Oh Mr Labarum you don't know how happy you have made me! My coffee has tasted terrible!

[cafe_et_creme]

Re: Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

I just make everything from scratch, with fresh ingreadients, as like you i have no other choice. It can be frustrating when you cant get hold of certain ingreadients when following lindas low carb receipes, i just end up using the next best thing.

I have not looked on the lowcarb websites yet, im going to go and have a nosey and see what i have been missing!

[chellybobs]

Re: Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

They are legal? Really? I stopped using them when I started the diet I picked up the tiny table form at my local co-op but as I had not got the packet when I started I could not check what was in them so I put them to one side!

Oh Mr Labarum you don't know how happy you have made me! My coffee has tasted terrible!

LOL DSK, poor you!!! How lomg have you been having unsweetened coffee?? Ah bless you lol!! Im the same tho its so confusing to be a brit doing ANA. BUT I did it successfully 6 years ago so i know it works for me, and unlike last time i intend to take it to LM and see it through! With the internet so accessable we should be able to work it out between us xx lol xx
Chelle x

[Labarum]

Re: Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

Oh Mr Labarum you don't know how happy you have made me! My coffee has tasted terrible!

My Atkins book is already packed - moving house soon.

A Google gave me:

Artificial Sweeteners

Sucralose, sachharine, cyclamate and acelsufame are allowed on Atkins diet list. Natural sweeteners such as maltose, fructose should be rejected. Saccharine appears to be dangerous only in high doses. Atkins diet is very favourable to sucralose which is derivative from sugar, is noncaloric and does not induce a blood sugar increase. Aspartame is unadvisable, from dr. Atkins' point of view, since medical observations have evidently suggested that it slows down the weight loss.

From

Atkins Diet Phase 1 ? Induction Phase :: Dr. Atkins' Diet Plan

Hermesetas Mini Tablets and Liquid are Atkins Legal.

The amount of artificial sweetener is limited. Perhaps another Mod would chip in?

There are two potential problems with the use of sweeteners:

1. You will find it harder to break your "sweet tooth".

2. A cephalic insulin spike. Even though your blood sugar has not spiked, because you have ingested no sugar, your head (Cephalus) thinks you have, because of the sweetness, and insulin production is increased. This depresses your blood sugar and makes you feel hunger. So be careful.

Futhermore, caffeine is a stimulant and not recommended on Atkins. Can you settle for one or two cups of decaf a day?

Both sweeteners and caffeine affect people differently. It might be an issue for you, it might not.

[DSK]

Re: Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

Well chelly I gave up sugar a couple of weeks before starting Atkins and picked up Hermesetas at my local shop. When I started atkins I had not got the packaging to find out what was in it. So better safe than sorry I had nothing in my first ever decaff coffee a week ago today!

I totaly agree with you it is very confusing to be a Brit doing this! As you pointed out our food seems to be pumped with in the shops.

It's good to know you have done it before! Wishing you well for this time!

Labarum thank you so much for the info! I am sure all sweetners are limited to 3 per day - be it in coffee or cooking. I understand what you are saying though it does make sence. Maybe I will carry on with the unsweetned coffee I mean if I can get used to decaff I can get used to anything!!!

Good luck moving house!!!

[chellybobs]

Re: Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

good luck with the house move xx

[Labarum]

Re: Splenda and Low Carb in UK (moan and grumble lol)!

From what I said it also follows that any generic saccharin tablets are also Atkins legal. Just check what is says on the packet before buying.

I do prefer the taste of Splenda, but often saccharin is entirely acceptable.

Saccharin, like Splenda is is OK for cooking - some sweeteners do not survive high temperatures.