I had the same concern about coffee. I didn't give up caffeine and my weight
loss has been great. I've been on the WOE exactly 1 month today.

Well, I must say that I drink aspartame sweetened cofee all the time
without problems.

Anyway, YMMV. So test yourself - if a cup of cofee or aspartame makes
you hungry, avoid them.

Mirek

Excessive caffeine may cause unstable blood sugar and should be avoided by
those who think they are caffiene dependant.

That being said before starting the program i drank a 2 liter of soda a day
and never touched water. The headaches inthe begining were awful. But only
lasted a couple of days. I started drinking decaf teas then lemon and water
to where now i just drink water.

Caffeine gives me nightmares, and trouble getting to sleep early.  YMMV

So many folks report that aspartame causes stalls.  So far, I seem to be
immune.  I have lots of caffeine free diet cokes (with aspartame).  I add
liquid splenda too.

Cubit
308/269.5/165

Chart: http://techmart.com/~cubit/Chart10.gif

I took them away for 2 weeks and then added back in Diet Coke after the first two weeks.  No problems with me.  I did have a headache for a day or two.  Probably related to lack of caffeine. I'd buy caffeine free Diet Coke if we had it here...(Poland)...I'm just thankful we have it at all.

Becky P.

Why not? If you've decided to consume each of them, caffeinated
beverage seems to me to be a sensible place to find aspartame.
(Not for me, aspartame doesn't taste sweet to me. (It _feels_ sweet,
as in it noticably stimulates the sweet taste buds, but the experience
is much different from real sweetness)).

Some of his clients found it more difficult to remain on the diet
while consuming them. Caffeine certainly does _something_ to increase
blood glucose, and at least some studies indicate that it interferes
with insulin. Also, some people associate caffeine consumption with
carb consumption (pastries and coffee for breakfast, cookies and cola
for snacks). Coffee and tea suppress my appetite, I've never been
a big consumer of sodas, and I've no tradition of coffee and food.

Aspartame causes symptoms resembling a sugar spike-and-crash, in some
people. I have no experience.

Consider tapering off. Have near your normal dose, then switch to
water or (and I'm sorry there are no good) decaffeinated coffee or tea.
Work the dose down by a quarter or a third a week. Unless you find
yourself driven to eat donuts with your coffee, in which case it's
nail your courage to the sticking place time.

Because caffeine causes _some_ people to have cravings, and even you
might begin to experience cravings as your body adjusts to low carb.
It won't necessarily happen, but Atkins was designed for everybody.

DISCLAIMER: there is some evidence (_I_ don't consider it strong, but
I'm not qualified to have an opinion) that long term heavy caffeine
consumption may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Given
that, you should give some consideration to giving it up. I'm not
going to, but I have better sense than to think everybody ought to
do or think as I do.

If, after eating them, you experience strong undirected food cravings,
you should consider replacing them or giving them up. There are Splenda
sweetened jellos that should have no effect; I have no idea what to do
about gum.

Martin

Thanks to all who posted, very informative.  I know for a fact that no
caffeinated beverage causes me to crave anything *right now*, but I
respect the possibility that, after LCing for awhile, things may
change.  So I'll remain vigilant.  As for giving it up?  Doubtful.

Ditto aspartame.  I do pay attention and buy sucralose-infused
products whenever possible.  Haven't yet found SF flavoured gelatin
made with sucralose here in the PNW, or in the central valley of
California which is where I reside most of the time.

Anyone have any sources to buy SF flavoured gelatin?

ta!

Janie

Janie said:

<<  I
intend to start induction on Monday, but going cold turkey on
coffee/tea sends shivvers up my spine!  Every tried it?  Headache of
the century (although, it's pretty early days to make a claim like
that...)  >>

I see others have answered your question very well-- just wanted to throw in my
own 2 cents. I gave up caffeine for Induction and it was one of the best things
I ever did. As bad as my sleeping habits are now, they were MUCH worse when I
was addicted to coffee, and the headaches when I didn't get my fix fast
enough-- well, I'm sure you're familiar. ;) If you ever do decide to give it
up, just remember that half-caffs are your friend. They can make the transition
MUCH more painless if you stick to them for awhile.

But, like others have said, some people have no hunger problems with caffeine,
and if you're one of them, no need to overburden yourself with too much
sacrifice. Enjoy one for me. I DO miss the smell...

Piedlourde