Flavored drinks (not alcohol)

[Tricon7]

I just wanted to know if anyone has any suggestions for a flavored beverage? I would prefer something not carbonated that could flavor water. I used to like the various mixes that one could put in water, but with Atkins - and especially the induction phase - I don't know if anything is allowed. Some specific suggestions beyond the generic recommendations would be nice - there's no penalty here for naming a brand! Thanks.

[Elizellen]

A 'legal' way of flavouring your water (either plain or carbonated) would be to add a slice or two of lemon or lime to it. some people even float a few slices of cucumber in it which makes for a refreshing taste.

The commercially flavoured drinks will no doubt be sweetened so would need to count against your allowed up to 3 servings of sweetener a day. An 8 fluid ounce drink is reckoned to be one serving, so you could have up to 24 fluid ounces of these if you are not having any other sweetened food or drinks.

Make sure you check they only contain one of the sweeteners recommended on the allowed list of induction foods.

[Tricon7]

Hmm. What about tea sweetened with Splenda? Is there a limit on that?

[blueberrylady]

How much water are you drinking? Your best bet is to learn to drink at least 64 ozs. of plain water everyday because that is what you body really wants and needs. It's just your sugar addiction that makes you think it has to have flavor. Lots of people here drink nothing else but water.

[liv]

Originally Posted by Tricon7

Hmm. What about tea sweetened with Splenda? Is there a limit on that?

Tea has carbs and there is a limit to how much splenda you can have every day (3). Drink your clean water as well as anything else you drink that you have added chemicals to.

[Chelsey20]

Crystal Light! I know it can stall some people so beware but it is definitely a great alternative when you need something with some flavor.

[liv]

Originally Posted by Chelsey20

Crystal Light! I know it can stall some people so beware but it is definitely a great alternative when you need something with some flavor.

If it has aspartame. It is not allowed. Sorry.

[Tricon7]

What is it - 3 packets of Splenda allowed a day on induction? What about OWL? Is it limited there, also? If so, it seems that nothing is allowed on Atkins to drink except water, aside from small tastes here and there.

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by Tricon7

What is it - 3 packets of Splenda allowed a day on induction? What about OWL? Is it limited there, also?

During all phases of Atkins, sweeteners are limited to 3 packets per day. The allowed sweeteners are sucralose (Splenda), saccharin, cyclamate, acetasulfame-K, stevia and certain sugar alcohols. Some people may not tolerate certain artificial sweeteners, so you have to find what works for you.

If so, it seems that nothing is allowed on Atkins to drink except water, aside from small tastes here and there.

Three packets of sweetener can go a long way. Dr. Atkins noticed that some people are stalled by sweeteners or have their weight loss slowed down, which is one of the reasons why he set a 3-packet limit. Another reason is the necessity to break the sugar addiction, and substituting a lot of real sugar with a lot of artificial sweeteners does not help -- it's like giving non-alcoholic beer to reformed alcoholics and expecting no increase in the rate of relapse.

[FwL]

Water really is the best thing to be drinking.