I'm starting Atkins tomorrow (sunday, november 23) and i'm wondering what i'm allowed to drink besides water --- in the Atkins book i read that caffeine is off limits... and aspartame too... what besides water doesnt have these two things?!

"There are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going"

Diet Rite
Crystal Light (the liquid, not the powder)
Certain light Snapple brand drinks

But, try using water, it doesn't suck as bad as you think its going to

Yeah, water is GREAT! Remember, you have to get 64+ oz. in everyday.

That said, if you have a Sam's Club near you, there are the Diet ICE Botanicals drinks. They're not bad.

Atkins 08/23/03
160/142/???

Check out the beverage aisle in your store - you will probably be able to find several flavored drinks that use Splenda instead of aspartame and have no caffeine.

Ice cold water is about my favorite thirst quencher now but sometimes variety is nice. I make my own decaf ice tea and use splenda to sweeten it a bit.

Connie

[img]//www.lowcarbeating.com/lcesupporter.gif[/img]

Many people find that a cup or 2 of coffee has little or no effect on their weight loss. Or at least not enough to give up our beloved coffee.



Rob
310/240/180
Me, a skeptic? I trust you have proof

One tequila, two tequila,
three tequila, floor

I've never given up my coffee - just cut my intake in half. Some people mix 1/2 decaf and half regular.

225/194/170?

“I can conscientiously assert I never lived so well as under the new plan of dietary, which I should have formerly thought a dangerous, extravagant trespass upon health.” --William Banting (Thanks Lez)

You can make any flavor soda you like using DaVinci sugarfree (Splenda-sweetened) syrups and selzter, sparkling, or club soda water.

I have about 36 different flavors and we have fun combining!

The grape, orange, root beer and cola are good to make your favorite drinks. Others such as chocolate, green apple, red hot cinnamon, egg nog, etc. are available too.

If you can't find them locally, there are plenty of places to purchase online, such as netrition.com and davincigourmet.com - they're also great to use in baking, hot beverages (just added some Kahuli Kaffe to my decaf and cream) etc.

Char

Don't squat with yer spurs on!

I drink water to quench my thirst, but I also have 2 or 3 cups of high test coffee with cream and splenda in the am ,and I do drink diet soda sometimes, but only after I have my water quota. Equal does not seem to effect me although I prefer splenda.

Jackie

I have read recently that while Atkins believed caffiene raised insulin levels, this has been shown to be untrue (geez! and after giving up coffee...). But my guess would be that, like most things, it depends on the individual.

If you have strong carb cravings, I would recommend avoiding the diet soda for now. It can trigger carb cravings, and even Splenda-sweetened brands, like DietRite, can cause problems with weight loss.

Water is best! And lots of it!

Best of luck on your new journey.

Staci