I have read the Atkins book but I don't understand why Asparteme is so bad. I have finally gotten of sodas and found some flavored water at Walgreens that I like. But I have seen posts where people say Asparteme is not part of induction. I am starting induction today. I would appreciate any help on this. Thanks !!!!!!

In DANDR, Dr. A said it was not known why as yet, but aspartame causes some people to stall or slow down in their weightloss. On top of the fact that it gives me severe migraines, that is enough to tell me it isn't a good thing whether or not it has a negative effect. I've read too many horror stories...that stuff just scares me...lol.


L

It gives me horrible migraines too, so I stay away. But I also did some reading on it and it's not a nice chemical based on what I read. Something about when you ingest it, it turns into formaldehyde. When it occurs in nature, it always has a chemical with it to counter that from happening. But as an artificial sweetner, it does not have the other chemical that prevents it from becoming formeldahyde in the body, so it's like embalming yourself alive (to speak in dramatic terms).


I also read that the FDA refused to approve it for several years. Then we got a new person leading the FDA, he approved Aspartame, and the within weeks took a very high paying job working with the company that makes aspartame.

I cannot vouch for the validity of that info, but it's what I read just doing a search on yahoo for info on aspartame. MIght be worth doing a little more research...

I think aspartame like caffeine can raise blood sugar in some folx.

That and aspartame really isn't good for you.

Is splenda good for you? I don't know.

I use small amounts of splenda as it is because I am losing my sweet tooth the longer I am on Atkins

Thank you for your help. I can't yet stand just pure H20. I know thats horrible. I've weaned myself off of Diet Mt. Dew. I just need to find that beverage that works for me and is Atkins friendly.

You still need to drink lots of water on Atkins. No matter what anybody says, a high protein diet is bad for the kidneys IF you don't drink a lot of water. Plus, it gets rid of water retention and makes you feel better.

Well, I tried the Diet Right sodas which are made with splenda and they are Atkins friendly. Any other Splenda sweetened drinks are probably ok as well. I think that Canada uses this sweetner in their sodas instead of Asparteme.

Though I'm pretty sure that on induction they are not.

And from what I understand about Asparteme is that it can potentially spike your insulin level as well as the stuff mentioned below.

Hope this helps,
Mike

Aspartame gives me bad headaches too, and it leaves that aweful aftertaste in your mouth. Splenda does not give me headaches.

Splenda is not used in much in Canada. We basically have the same products as the US. I am starting to see it more.

Hansens diet sodas also use Splenda and they have a ton of flavors. I have also found a drink called Fruit Water, that has no carbs and is essentially just water that has had various fruits soaked in it so it takes a little bit of their flavor. It's not the most thrilling, but since I really dont care for any sort of diet soda, it's a nice change from boring plain water, with all of the benefits.

Forgot to mention that my wife has gotten me kindof hooked on adding a lemon slice to my water. Helps make drinking lots of water a bit easier.

Here is some interesting research on Aspartame (link is at the bottom)...In other words, suck it up and learn to drink your water!

Formaldehyde Poisoning from Aspartame

In 1997 there was an increase in aspartame users reporting severe toxicity reactions and damage such as seizures, eye damage and vision loss, confusion, severe migraines, tremors, depression, anxiety attacks, insomnia, etc. In the same years, Ralph Walton, MD, Chairman, The Center for Behavioral Medicine showed that the only studies which didn't find problems with aspartame where those funded by the manufacturer (Monsanto). Given the agreement amongst independent scientists about the toxicity of aspartame, the only question was whether the formaldehyde exposure from aspartame caused the toxicity. That question has now been largely answered because of research in the late 1990s.

The following facts shown by recent scientific research:


Aspartame (nutrasweet) breaks down into methanol (wood alcohol).


Methanol quickly converts to formadehyde in the body.


Formaldehyde causes gradual and eventually severe damage to the neurological system, immune system and causes permanent genetic damage at extremely low doses.


Methanol from alcoholic beverages and from fruit and juices does not convert to formaldehyde and cause damage because there are protective chemicals in these traditionally ingested beverages.


The most recent independent research in Europe demonstrates that ingestion of small amounts of aspartame leads to the accumulation of significant levels of formaldehyde (bound to protein) in organs (liver, kidneys, brain) and tissues.


Excitotoxic amino acids such as the one which is immediately released from aspartame likely increases the damage caused by the formaldehyde.

Readers are urged to followup by printing and reading the extensive and heavily-referenced discussion related to aspartame and methanol/formaldehyde poisoning (suitable for scientists and laypersons) at: http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/abuse/. This document details the research showing formaldehyde toxicity from aspartame and demonstrates the techniques the manufacturer used to help hide these facts. Finally, an updated discussion of formaldehyde dosage from aspartame has been added to answer questions raised by what appears to be a manufacturer public relations campaign. Please read this document only after reading the first methanol/formaldehyde document linked to above.

http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/embalm.html

You guys have been wonderful !! Thank you for all of the feedback. Asparteme is nasty isn't it. I think I will try the water with lemon or see if the Fruit Water is available in Central Florida. Thanks for the great help !

Hello everyone, how much aspartame is in diet cokes and such? I am from Singapore, we don't have Splenda or stevia or any "approved" sugar substitutes here , so today I used a sachet of aspartame for the mock danish recipe. Is that likely to be harmful?
I want to start on a somewhat clean induction.. I strayed becuz I went on holiday, but before that I had sugar free jellos with no bad side effects.. i think!

Hi! Besides Diet Rite drinks (they have several flavors, but it depends on where you live) Crystal Light in the bottle is made with Splenda but the powdered form uses aspartame. Fruit 2 O is a new splenda sweetened drink in my area that can give you a little different taste also. Be careful, I found for me, even if I drank a ton of water, if I had more than 1 flavored drink a day it caused a stall. Could be just me, everyone is different. Good luck!

visit mercola.com for some info on aspartame. I personally avoid all
artificial sweetner..

coke is very bad ( highly acidic pH 2) because it uses HFCS; it was better when they used to use sugar. Apartame/splenda are 20/30
times sweeter than sugar... hence higly acidic.

Acid/base balance makes a lot of sense to me. wanted to read more..
thats one more reason I tend to stay with moderate amount of
quality protein and fat.. heck I'll give some points to Dr. Ornish for
his vegan theory.. may be I should change plan to AktinsOrnish
neeam