The sweetener math doesn't make sense to me

[ShannonM]

<Disclaimer> No, Atkinsgal08, I am not advocating for additional sweeteners to be allowed on Atkins. </Disclaimer>

I know Atkins allows three packets or three 8-oz servings of artificial sweetener per day. My question, based on advice I've seen given on this board, is: Why do people equate one packet of sweetener with 8 oz of an artificially-sweetened drink? That doesn't add up at all. It would take several sweetener packets to achieve sweetness equivalent to 8 oz of a diet soda. Shouldn't that be taken into account?

[mitzimarie]

Re: The sweetener math doesn't make sense to me

I know Atkins allows three packets or three 8-oz servings of artificial sweetener per day. My question, based on advice I've seen given on this board, is: Why do people equate one packet of sweetener with 8 oz of an artificially-sweetened drink? That doesn't add up at all. It would take several sweetener packets to achieve sweetness equivalent to 8 oz of a diet soda. Shouldn't that be taken into account?

Hmm... I've not read in the book "or three 8-oz servings of artificial sweetener per day." I interpret it this way: Dr. Atkins says the limit is 3 packs of sweetener per day. It is up to you whether you spread them out or have them in a single serving.

We do remind people to check how many servings of soda are in the can of soda they are having. Most people assume it is one, when in fact, there could be 2 or 3 servings of soda in a single can or bottle. And as you have found, it usually takes more than a single packet of sweetener per serving to get enough sweetness. So if you consume an entire can/bottle that has more than 1 serving of soda, you're know you're getting more than 1 serving of sweetener.

Not sure that specifically answers your question, but it's the best I've got.

[Suzanne_H]

Re: The sweetener math doesn't make sense to me

I just take it as a limit of three servings of sweetener per day... and I'm not a book thumper. It's just been my experience that if I go over that amount I'm bound to suffer cravings for sweets.

[mitzimarie]

Re: The sweetener math doesn't make sense to me

I just take it as a limit of three servings of sweetener per day

Actually, this is the way that I do it, too. A lot of the time, there is no way to know exactly how many "packs" are in a serving of something unless you prepare it yourself. And I never use packs... I use liquid Splenda. I watch servings.

I'll say this, though. I have diet sodas maybe a few times a year, and I don't make lowcarb treats other than at holidays. I only use it for my pumpkin foods, muffin in a minute, a single cup of coffee a day, and lemonade that I occasionally make by the glass. So I don't go crazy with sweetener.

[ShannonM]

Re: The sweetener math doesn't make sense to me

Right, I can definitely see the need for caution on the sweetener front. I guess that's why I was confused - it seems people taking in three "servings" (assuming we go by the 8-oz definition) are getting a lot more sweetener than what the book advocates.

Suzanne - how do you define a serving? By packets or liquid ounces?

Edited to add: I believe I saw the 8-oz reference in various posts by Georgiana; I'm hoping she'll chime in and correct me if I'm wrong.

[mitzimarie]

Re: The sweetener math doesn't make sense to me

I believe I saw the 8-oz reference in various posts by Georgiana; I'm hoping she'll chime in and correct me if I'm wrong.

Well, servings of liquids we consume may very well be in 8 ounce increments, but that doesn't at all indicate exactly how much sweetener is in each serving. So yeah, I guess one just needs to decide whether they are going to tally sweeteners for the day in "packs" or servings (meaning how many times a day you have them, rather than the actual amount of sweetener).

LOL My head is spinning. I go by this for myself: Limit sweeteners to as few as I can. Drink water, and make sodas as an occasional treat in a restuarant or event. And my body cannot handle sweet treats on a daily basis.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: The sweetener math doesn't make sense to me

>>it seems people taking in three "servings" (assuming we go by the 8-oz definition) are getting a lot more sweetener than what the book advocates.>>

Well, I suspect that the amount of liquid sweetener that goes in to making an 8 ounce serving of diet soda isn't the same amount as in a "packet" of Splenda (or any other packet of sweetener).

If you're limiting sweetener to "servings", then it's best to use the appropriate serving size, which in the case of diet soda is 8 ounces. So a can of diet soda is actually more than 1 serving!

>>Why do people equate one packet of sweetener with 8 oz of an artificially-sweetened drink?>>

A serving is a serving is a serving.

If I put 1 packet of sweetener in a Muffin in a Minute, it's the same serving of sweetener as one 8 ounce glass of diet soda.

Does that help?

[ShannonM]

Re: The sweetener math doesn't make sense to me

If I put 1 packet of sweetener in a Muffin in a Minute, it's the same serving of sweetener as one 8 ounce glass of diet soda.

Does that help?

No, for the reason I stated in my initial post. It takes a lot more than one packet of sweetener to sweeten an 8-oz glass of diet soda, so they can't possibly be equivalent.

Again, I'm not advocating one way or the other. I'm just trying to resolve the inconsistency in my own mind.

[mitzimarie]

Re: The sweetener math doesn't make sense to me

No, for the reason I stated in my initial post. It takes a lot more than one packet of sweetener to sweeten an 8-oz glass of diet soda, so they can't possibly be equivalent.

Again, I'm not advocating one way or the other. I'm just trying to resolve the inconsistency in my own mind.

For me, this is kinda like splitting hairs... meaning, unless the only way you use sweetener is by the pack, you cannot be so exact. Packet Splenda and Liquid Splenda are composed differently... there is no maltodextrin in liquid splenda. So you can't directly compare them. And you are likely never to know exactly how much sweetener you are getting (quantity wise) in a serving of soda. So as J suggested, you carefully note how many servings of soda are in each bottle/can, and count each serving of soda as a serving of sweetener.

[Whatsername]

Re: The sweetener math doesn't make sense to me

I pretty much do what Suzanne and Mitzi said. I do use packets because that is what is available to me. I just haven't bothered to order liquid splenda off the net. I haven't had a problem with the packets so figure I will keep using them for now. Anyhoo...I use 1/2 of a packet in a cup of coffee. I have 2 cups of coffee a day equaling 1 serving of sweetner. Most of the time, that is it for me. Rarely, I have a soda...it is hmmm 12 or 16 oz? Anyhoo..I count that as 2 servings. I tend to round up and err on the side of caution. I also tend to just not use a lot of sweetener. I figure I don't really want or need it. And since I have managed to lose weight doing things this way, it isn't something I worry about.

I have made lemonade before which is more than 8oz and I have used 1 packet of sweetener and it has been fine. So I am not sure that soda would be much different. But not sure....