Sugar Free Drinks and Low-Carb Shakes

[MoreInMind]

DOes anyone have an opinion on whether you should drink sugar free drinks or low carb shakes such as sugar free kool-aid or carb options shakes while doing low-carb, or especially induction? The sugar free kool-aid claims to not have any carbs while the low carb shakes has 2 carbs per shake? They give a great break from the gallon of water I drink everyday, and really help the sweet tooth cravings, but I'm not trying to jeopardize myself, so if they aren't good for me, please let me know!!!

[huskersfan869]

I drink a shake every morning with breakfast...or sometimes for breakfast...depends ont ime--but I find that I am often hungry an hour or so after breakfast so I eat early...about 6:30am then around 7:30 on the way to work I drink a shake and do fine til lunch at 11:15]

[Tina B]

More people will tell you this, but stay away from the sugar-free drinks, especially during induction.

Drink as much water as you can - you may be able to add in some lc shakes/drinks later, but for now, you're better off with water, water, and MORE water

[MoreInMind]

Thanx guys! I think I pretty much knew I should stay away during induction...lol just wishful thinking I guess!

[jessicat]

my favorite of the shakes are the EAS AdvantEdge-- make sure you get the low carb ones, though. And I have them in moderation-- they are great for when you have a craving for something sweet or chocolate, or for those times when you are hungry & need a quick snack. it is definitely not suggested to have them during induction, but i have used them occasionally during induction and after and did not notice a real problem. i believe it depends on the individual & if you are getting enough water in.

[Rhalvahn]

YMMV (Your mileage may vary) on any 'processed' type drink. Some people stall, some people get horrid sugar cravings (ME ME ME), and some people just can't stop drinking them because they satisfy that 'sugar' urge to have something 'sweet' (to me, that's a REAL clue that you need to stay away - sugar cravings aren't gone!). Others have absolutely NO problem with them at all - and love them. I have tried the raspberry teas, which are done like Kool-aid, and are made with either the blue or pink stuff. It's the only one that doesn't have an 'after' taste to me. I can't STAND diet cokes (in Texas that means Dr. Pepper, Coke, Pepsi -- anything that falls under soft drink).

[MaryKay]

I drink either water or green tea (you can find splenda sweetened green tea now from Arizona Brewing) - I have a tendency to overdo the Atkins shakes, cause I like them. But now I am trying to take some evening classes that start right after work, so no time to have anything healthy. So, I'll have a shake as a protein replacement, and hoping to have time to hit the nearby krogers for a salad.
Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

[Goddess]

like other folks have said, you just have to see what works for you. i would tend to avoid most of that stuff, especially the shakes, during induction anyway, and then gradually introduce them. if you are just starting out, you need to be developing a taste for water anywho.

the other thing is that if you find your losses are not fast enough for you, that's the first thing to look at. any of the lc convienience foods can create problems regardless of the net carbs, and are famous for stalling people.

i would also take a look at the nutrition info to see how they figure things--are they getting the carb count by subtracting sugar alcohols? that's not as good as subtracting fiber (for any food) or not having the carbs to begin with, even better. that's because sugar alcohols are processed for some people just like sugar.

so it's a be careful kind of thing as far as i'm concerned. that being said, i do sometimes have this sort of stuff, but it's always with the understanding that the more i have, the less i will lose, up to and including gaining if i overdo.

nah, i've never been known to overdo, right? right?

[sunny59]

I was wondering this same thing about sugar free drinks on introduction.

Thanks i know now to stay away from them while on introduction...
I usually like sugar free kool aid and crystal lite. Guess i am drink them in moderation after introduction , right?

[Rhalvahn]

I have used the crystal lite after I get through induction -- which oh my gosh, I just realized the 2 weeks end TOMORROW! I made it 2 weeks! woohoo! ;-) The raspberry stuff isn't half bad.

[sunny59]

wanted to ask a stupid question. How many dite rites are allowed a day on low carb and if we should limit them to any certian amount a day like maybe one or two?

[huskersfan869]

That is a question you have to answer...if you are drinking half your bodyweight in ounces of water then whatever fits your style...but I would limit them to after all your water is in up to maybe one or two a day... I drink Diet Dr. Pepper to the tune of 1-2 a day...always have one and only at lunch and often in the car on the way to the gym I start one...By that time I have drank at least 68oz of water...if not I drink water! I drink about 80 oz of water a day...as well as diet dr pepper and green tea...usually 3-4 big mugs of that...I get my fluids that is for sure!

[punkindreamer]

I try to drink mostly water all day. I do have a mug of Celestial Seasonings Raspberry Green Tea at breakfast. I drink Diet Hanson's (sweetened with Splenda) Root Beer or Ginger Ale at Lunch and then I drink water, water and more water for the rest of the day. I usually drink several cups of decaffienated green tea (Celestial Seasonings brand) on weekends. I read in "The Hampton's Diet" that Dr. Pescatore rates aspartame as one of the "bad" sweeteners. He further states that he has known people to have their weight loss slow or stall if they drank Crystal Light. I for one, do not want that to happen to me, besides I do not like anything sweetened with aspartame (Equal - brand name) - because of the side effects - headaches! I have noticed that the more water I drink, the more I want to drink! Anybody else experiencing that phenomenon?

[heykim]

hey punkindreamer... i wonder if any others are doing the HAMPTON diet like you are.. might want a thread ?? i dont know what the plan is actually.. but i believe it is LC without so much fat? right?

[Maxibee]

FYI to Crystal Light drinkers: the "On-the-Go" powders, the 2 qt. tub powders are sweetened with aspartame. The ready-to-drink bottles (in 4-packs) are sweetened with Splenda. I think they did that because sucralose doesn't break down in heat, like aspartame does. Just my theory.

Diet Rite is Splenda sweetened and caffiene free. Diet RC cola is also Splenda sweetened, but does have caffiene.