Help I am new. Is Aspartame okay???? Vitamines??? Potassium??

[strokerace]

Hello,
I thought using any sweetner would be okay. I have never used sweetners before, but I have read on here that a few people say that Aspartame will slow down the weight loss. The box of Aspatame says no carbs but fitday adds 1 and 2 per pack. Can that be? ARe there hiddin carbs? Can this be true? I make sugarless jello that is sweetened with Aspartame also. I only put a half a pack in my 6 oz cup of green tea and I drink about 2 cups a day.

One more thing, I am taking One A Day Essential vitamines, are they good enough for this diet? I feel tired sometimes. Can I take potassium with these vitamines? Potassium is not listed. Will Potassium slow down weight loss? Does Potassium give you energy? Does anyone take extra B12 or C vitamines with multiviamine?

Thank you all so much.

[LaurieB]

I can't really answer to the aspartame because I don't use a lot of sweeteners - maybe just 1/2 glass of diet Coke a couple of times a week. Bu a lot of people say it's not good.

As far as taking Potassium - do it! I am one of those people who felt weakness in their legs and I started taking Potassium and checking labels for Potassium content. It has made a difference. You might want to consider a calcium supplement, too.

good luck.

Laurie

[acohn]

Tina,

I second the vote on taking potassium, preferably from food sources (http://www.majicom.com/NR/Potassium%20Broth.pdf). If you use the search function in this forum, you'll find a lot of information on the reasons to keep up your potassium (and magnesium) intakes.

I think that Aspartame is a potentially toxic substance. I suggest doing a search on the web to find out the details. Splenda doesn't have enough of a track record for me to be comfortable with it. I usually recommend stevia or a stevia blend. Health food stores sell stevia in packets for those on the go, and the stevia blends (like Stevita (http://www.stevitastevia.com/)) are available in those same stores in bulk powder jars. Liquid stevia glycerite is good, too, and has no bitter aftertaste (I use the NOW brand).

[strokerace]

Thank you all,
I will look into the Stevita. I have never heard of it or seen it. I will look into getting potassium, and calcium. Thank you again.