Hi guys,

More newbie questions - sorry!

Can someone please tell me about the problem with aspartame? I see negative comments about it all over the forum, but I'd love to know why I should steer clear.

Also, what symptoms should I look for to indicate that I'm in ketosis? Don't really want to rely on the sticks.

Thanks everyone, the support on this forum is brilliant.

Cheers

ok Aspartame - its a YMMV (your mileage may vary) kind of thing, it can stall some people, but mostly Atkins says to avoid it cause it has unknown side effects long term.... I drink/eat it, I enjoy a diet coke every now and again and a lot of LC jellies have aspartame in it, and it doesn't worry me - I guess its up to you as to whether you want to eat it or not....

ketosis symptoms - ok getting a bit icky here but your urine is always a great example, it goes a bright darkish yellow and smells different - I don't mean sticking your nose down the loo or anything you can smell it from standing up, you also get a funny taste in your mouth a kind of unnatural sweetness and sometimes your sweat can smell like ammonia .... you may get all or none of these symptoms - I don't get the sweat and got rid of the funny taste after a few weeks but the urine colour and scent is what tells me ketosis is occurring.....

I don't use the sticks at all

Fiona

I am using the sticks. I drink a little diet lemonade (sprite) and WW jelly which have aspartame in them. Long term I would like to avoid aspartame due to the linked neurological affects but according to the sticks I am in heavy ketosis so for me it is ok. Suck it and see.