Atkins Nutritional, the company and official website is a for-profit corporation. They will sell you anything that makes makes money. https://www.dietdoctor.com/atkins-fairy-tale-candy

The three doctors who wrote the 2010 Atkins book advise eating real food, but the editor added bars and shakes to the menu. The Atkins books since have added even more branded food-like products, but last I looked, there was still an option menu based only on real food. Stick to that.

As for artificial sweeteners causing weight gain, this is a question that results in strong opinions on both sides here and just about everywhere in the diet research world.
Here's one http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthre...41&page=1&pp=15
When I read new studies about AS, I rarely post them because the same arguments will result

The latest research is that the artificial sweeteners disturb your gut microbiome and do have a direct impact on obesity. A brand new Canadian study:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news...ain-poor-healt/

https://www.nature.com/nature/journ...nature13793.pdf

Many posts on similar studies here: https://www.dietdoctor.com/?s=Artificial+sweeteners

PS: there are Stevia sodas now, a Stevia flavor drop called STUR, extracts and plain essence flavored sparkling waters. Enough options to satisfy a sweet tooth with herb based sweeteners.