Should I eliminate caffeine/use stevia or splenda

[vmartennis]

Hi.. I am in Induction Phase (for second time). I'm on day 9. No weight loss on scale but I'm not worried yet. I drink a combination of strong French Roast and Espresso Decaf every morning. The ratio is 1/4 French (caff) and 3/4 Espresso (decaf). I am in Ketosis every day. The color of sticks is medium purple. If I eliminate caff. completely is it likely that ketosis will be deeper? I am not looking forward to caffeine withdrawal headaches. Did it work for you? Any info on it? Do you use stevia? Or splenda? Still learning, Veronica

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Should I eliminate caffeine/use stevia or splenda

The color of the sticks has no meaning ... it's not a guarantee of weight loss. Neither is being in ketosis.

Purple can mean you're dehydrated ... or it can mean you're just spilling a lot of ketones at that time. Purple isn't the goal!

As you know from your reading of Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, Dr. Atkins recommends no caffeine. Not everyone gives it up. If you do decide to give up caffeine, you should do it gradually ... that should lessen the headaches.

As Dr. Atkins wrote, the choice of a sweetener is something you have to decide for yourself ... what you tolerate.

When I use a sweetener, I use Splenda.

[Whatsername]

Re: Should I eliminate caffeine/use stevia or splenda

What is the rest of your diet like? What else are you eating/drinking? I don't think that amount of caffeine would "stall" you. For me, it isn't the caffeine that is the issue, it is all the cream I tend to use. If you can post a daily menu, we can try to pinpoint if there are other issues.

Personally, I use splenda but that is purely out of habit. I also don't use keto sticks but again, that is just my preference.

Jane

[chinadoll]

Re: Should I eliminate caffeine/use stevia or splenda

How about posting a menu? That would help us spot any trouble areas

[JimH]

Re: Should I eliminate caffeine/use stevia or splenda

I also like caffienated coffee in the morning. Luckily I've always drunk it black and so I've never dealt with the cream/sugar/carbs thing (thanks Dad for introducing me to coffee on a camping trip where his rationale was that cream/sugar was one less thing to carry in and out).

I've been slowly weaning myself off the full caffienated cup by first just dialing down the portion from 20 to 16 to 12 oz. I then started combining a bag of regular and decaf. First it was 75-25 and now it is 50-50. I'm going to move to 25-75 next week. I'll have to admit, though, that my eyelids are heavier than they were a few weeks ago.

[vmartennis]

Re: Should I eliminate caffeine/use stevia or splenda

According to DANDR, the ketosis does have a lot of meaning. I use it as a guage for determining my CCLL. I drink so much water, I don't think I'm dehydrated. A friend of mine who moved from here in California to Ohio, found an Atkins-educated-friendly doctor (wish I had one). Doctor is now on Atkins Maintenance....he told my friend that ketosis does mean that your body is burning fat. She has followed his advice in keeping her body in ketosis and she gradually has lost 65 lbs in 14 months. At one point, my friend increased her daily carbs...to 40 carbs, gradually for three weeks. At the end of 2 months..no ketosis..no more weight loss. She started back on the 20 carb a day Induction, went back into ketosis, and lost her last 5 lbs. Maybe like most Atkins issues, it depends on the individual. Also, I take 10 mg of Estrogen (natural). That is something my doc will not allow me to stop. Anyone have experience in the issue of estrogen and weight loss? Still learning, V

[dockevoc]

Re: Should I eliminate caffeine/use stevia or splenda

I cut out all caffeine for induction, brought back a couple cups after 3 weeks and stalled. For induction, I would strictly stick with what the book says. No caffeine. Don't exceed your heavy cream or splenda limit. Or cheese. Eat you veggies every day. Drink your water.

Good luck, it works!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Should I eliminate caffeine/use stevia or splenda

>>ketosis does mean that your body is burning fat.>>

That's true!

However, relying on the color your pee turns a stick is what isn't reliable. As I said before, purple isn't the goal of doing Atkins. Purple is no better than light pink. And ... you can not turn the stick any color and still be in ketosis.

Estrogen can make losing weight more difficult.

I would suggest making sure you eat very "clean".

>>I drink so much water, I don't think I'm dehydrated.>>

How much water do you drink, exactly?