What sugar substitutes are ok to use???

[steveelea]

Hi All....I am new to the forum here and have been on the Atkins induction for almost 5 weeks now.
I have had reasonable success but with a few stalls.
Firstly I had a stall when I drank Sugar free red bull as I didn't know anything about the sugar alcohol (red bull contained pollyol something or other), and secondly I had another big stall when I tried to introduce sugar free lollies. (they had Maltitol)
I am so frightened about the sugar alcohols as I know that they stall me badly, so I am scared to even try artificial sweetners.
Coke Zero doesn't affect me but I don't like the aftertaste so much.
I had bought Natvia as it only has 5grams of carbs per 100 grams serving and no sugar, but then I read that one of the ingredients is Erythritol.
Can someone please advise me on the best and most natural tasting artificial sweetner that would be ok for someone that is overly sensitive to sugar alcohols??
Any advice appreciated

[Sherrie]

Welcome Steveelea

Erythritol will be the least likely of all the sugar alcohols to cause digestive issues, it's also much lower in both carbs and calories then the other sugar alcohols. If it just contains erythritol and stevia you probably won't have issues though some stevia can cause very mild nausea. If it contains inulin then bacteria in the gut will convert it to fructans/fructose which may cause issues if sensitive. Give it a try and see

[steveelea]

Thanks so much for your reply Sherrie.
I a just so nervous as I keep getting kicked out of ketosis and am learning the hard way and although I dont gain weight, it stalls me and I am trying my best to lose as much weight as I can....I have a long way to go still to lose another 40 kilos (40 down 40 to go) so I am halfway there. I only started Atkins after losing the first 40 as I stalled on just eating healthy foods......and Atkins seems to have kick started me again and I want it to keep humming along without the stalls
Thanks again, I will give it a go and let you know how it works out.
Take care

[Sherrie]

Let us know how you go with it

When I did Atkins years ago I used splenda which didn't cause any issues but it is an artificial sweetener so it all depends on how you feel about them. I don't use splenda anymore because it's artificial, I use erythritol and stevia

Keep in mind the closer to goal you get the more stalls that will happen, I found mine were always about hormones.

Good luck!

[steveelea]

I have major issues with my hormones too but thats another long story LOL
The more weight I lose the worse they get I know that its supposed to be the opposite but I am hoping that the steady diet of low carb will help them to settle down too. I think that the bloating can stall me too. Its all trial and error I know.
Yes I much prefer the natural sweetners for health and taste and dont have that many of them anyway, but when I see all these lovely induction friendly recipies I want to try them but I am scared of the reaction my body will have.
I havent had a coffee in 5 weeks so I might try one with my sweetner on the weekend and see how I go....thanks again all the advice really helps

[Morte]

If you're desperate for a sugar free soda, try Zevia brand. I get them at a local health food shop. They use Erythritol and Stevia as their sweeteners, and natural flavours. I've fallen in love with the black cherry flavour

[lea]

small side note, i heard men in south america used stevia as a contraceptive for centuries...

cheers,
lea

[Analog6]

Just my 2 cents worth Steve - I believe (& research I have read seems to support it) that ANY artificial sweetener, in people who suffer metabolic disorder - which would be most of us here - triggers an almost identical reaction in your body to real sugar. I your pancreas releases insulin, you still have spiking and the attendant urges to eat sweet stuff etc. IMHO the only way to really succeed in not only losing weight but re-educating your system is to give up sweeteners totally.

I know some folk here (& on my other forums LOL) won't agree but you did ask the question.

I drink plain sparkling minral water or soda water, if you want flavour you could add a squeeze of juice. For sweetener in coffee (only sometimes in my bedtime decaff) I have a tiny bit of honey and just count the carbs.

[Sherrie]

Honey would have even more of an effect then a tiny bit of sweetener

[steveelea]

Thanks for the advice Analog6
I dont want to have much of the sweetner just a little....I havent had a coffee in 5 weeks and am absolutely HANGING for one LOL
I will give the natvia a go tomorrow or Saturday and will attempt to use cream and water to make milk in the frother....its so not fair we have a fantastic coffee machine with coffee pods and I cant even use it
Like you said Sherrie you can only try to see how it goes.
Leanne

[Sherrie]

Once you get into the swing of things you can experiment and see if say a morning coffee with milk will effect you.
I do two doubleshots with my coffee just so that I fill my mug up mostly with water then top with some frothed milk

[steveelea]

Sounds HEAVENLY Sherrie.....yummmmmo

[Morte]

I have a lovely pod coffee machine too ... and thoroughly enjoy the quality coffee it produces.

But then, I never was a latte/cappuccino type ... I enjoy a double macchiato ... which is pretty much a double shot of espresso, with a 'dollop' of milk and a teaspoon full of foam on the top. At home, I just add a dollop of cream instead.

Hmmmm ..... delicious

Try experimenting with different ways to enjoy your coffee, I'm sure you'll find something you like.

[MelbGirl08]

I've been using Stevia I bought from the local health shop.

[agathocles]

Does anyone know where to buy Zevia drinks in Sydney? (a shop, not online/delivery)