[KongoSan]

I haven't started yet, I am waiting on my HCG. I will be doing the 43 day protocol with injections. My biggest issue with the protocol is the liquids. I don't drink coffee or tea. I HATE it! I usually drink diet pepsi ( a big no no), water plain, however I also drink flavored water. I buy it at Walmart in the Key lime flavor. It has 0 anything, but the ingrediants are listed as:
Filtered carbonate water, citric acid, potassium citrate, natural flavor, aspartame, potassium benzoate, and acesulfame potassuim
then it says PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE.

I know when I did Atkins (awesome results, I kept off for years) a lot of people said the aspartame stalled them, not a problem with me. In P& I's it says you can use saccahrin. I'm figuring aspartame was not around then.

Is this going to be a huge problem for me? I can do about 8 oz a day, but I NEED the carbonation and the flavor. With all they have listed for acceptable liquids, I would literally be on plain water for 43 days. IDK if I could do that. I have tried plain water with lemon juice, but I would rather just drink plain water. How bad do you think it is going to be once I start the diet?

[JAMES PIETERSE]

I have been doing the Nestle Pure carbonated waters. The raspberry-lime flavor is especially good if you add an extra squirt of lime juice (technically prohibitted....) and 2 sweet n lows. I feel your pain! Ive always been a Crystal Light girl!

[gamecasta]

You can make lemonade with water, lemon and stevia. You can only use one lemon a day though.

[strollerssfsfs]

I will try the lemonade mix. Do you think the water and lemon stevia would do it?

@Meghan3, are you losing using the Nestle water? does it have the aspartame?

Has anyone used Aspartame and been OK. I'm not talking all day long, but probably everyday, I am not going to lie. I also live in Vegas, it is HOT and DRY. I NEED to drink lots of water to live anyway! LOL However the carbonation helps kinda strip my mouth! It is kind of like having cotton mouth and plain water doesn't "do" it!

[HarryMet]

Regarding sweetners, you really just have to test yourself, everyone's body responds differently! If you had good luck with aspartame previously, chances are good you will have good luck this time, but you just never know. Your body is definitely going through some weird stuff on this diet, so it may respond differently than before!

I really enjoy Celestial Season's teas (even though you said you don't like tea, I don't know if you've tried the fruit teas, if you make iced tea, they are not really 'tea' like, and you can add Stevia if you like sweet I don't ), there are LOTS of stevia flavors, Stevita from Amazon is what I bought. I have a lot of flavors, but found that I haven't craved "sweet" often, so haven't used them much... I know they are there if I need them!!! lol

You could also try this little gadget, it carbonates ANYTHING, I repeat, ANYTHING!!! lol http://www.fizzgiz.com/ (It's NOT like Pepsi carbonation, but it is 'bubbly', and fun!!!)

[mtautomoscow]

I drink a sugar free tea that has aspartame in it and 0 everything. I do great! Best to test yourself as others have mentioned! do the first week strictly so you know what makes you gain. ooh yeah and those sparkling waters are good too

[Shemker394]

I will try the lemonade mix. Do you think the water and lemon stevia would do it?

@Meghan3, are you losing using the Nestle water? does it have the aspartame?

Has anyone used Aspartame and been OK. I'm not talking all day long, but probably everyday, I am not going to lie. I also live in Vegas, it is HOT and DRY. I NEED to drink lots of water to live anyway! LOL However the carbonation helps kinda strip my mouth! It is kind of like having cotton mouth and plain water doesn't "do" it!

It does not have aspartame in it! The ingredients are: purified water, natural flavors and CO2. I'm assuming the natural flavors are the fruit flavor you choose..? They also have a lemon flavor which is really good with stevia and an extra splash of lemon-- like sparkling lemonade! And I feel ya on the carbonation. I have never been a huge soda drinking, but will admit to loving that sweet carbonation every few days.

[finasteride]

I make a jug like literally a jug lol of hot chai tea - I use three tea bags. Cool it serve it over ice with vanilla stevia - tastes like pop. I was drinking about two liters of diet coke a day before I started hcg so I understand your pain. I'm three weeks in p3 and still drinking the tea. I had a pop and it hurt my stomach and made me feel gross. Can't believe I was drinking so much before! Green tea with vanilla stevia is also nice. If you want carbonation root beer flavored stevia tastes awesome in soda water and didnt cause me to stall at all. Hope that helps!

[FsQGF1Mp]

I feel your pain. That said - after cutting out diet coke for Phase 2, it now gives me stomach cramps. But I have to admit, I still do tiny amounts of sweetener (way, way less than before) in my coffee... trying to ease out of that, though.

I am happy enough to just drink sparkling water now. Can even do filtered tap water in between, but usually get bored with that quickly... If all else fails, there are liquid stevia flavors - I just hate the taste of stevia. I usually do some lemon if I need variety, or make a pot of black tea with a tiny amount of sweetener and some lemon, then ice that. But generally, I am happy enough with coffee and water.

[Wsjltrhe]

Do y'all count the tea/carbonated water you drink toward your daily water requirement?

[Adfcvkdg]

Tea or water - sure. Coffee.... not officially, but I usually don't care.

[toopyimport]

You might look at the SodaStream Machine. It carbonates water. I add lemon juice to it. Very refreshing. You could add a couple of drops of stevia sweetener.... I used to, but I know like it with just the lemon juice. I also add apple cider vinegar to the water so I can get some of it down.... I like it with a sprinkle of cinnamon but others like it plain.

I've seen the SodaStream machines at Target but they also have them at bed bath and beyond where you can use a 20% off coupon.......

[Immampdah]

You might look at the SodaStream Machine. It carbonates water. I add lemon juice to it. Very refreshing. You could add a couple of drops of stevia sweetener.... I used to, but I know like it with just the lemon juice. I also add apple cider vinegar to the water so I can get some of it down.... I like it with a sprinkle of cinnamon but others like it plain.

I've seen the SodaStream machines at Target but they also have them at bed bath and beyond where you can use a 20% off coupon.......

I just saw this at Walmart! I didn't get a good look at it, as my 5 yr old was driving me bonkers.

[STYWOMBORGOSY]

you dont NEED it.

get out of that mindframe.

this is the time to retrain your body and your mind.

all you need is water

[DoctorTOneery]

The beauty of the Fizz Gizz that you can literally carbonate ANYTHING (anything liquid that is...) The other machines I believe you can only use water and then add flavors, etc. :-)

[GECEDEANY]

Regarding sweetners, you really just have to test yourself, everyone's body responds differently! If you had good luck with aspartame previously, chances are good you will have good luck this time, but you just never know. Your body is definitely going through some weird stuff on this diet, so it may respond differently than before!

I really enjoy Celestial Season's teas (even though you said you don't like tea, I don't know if you've tried the fruit teas, if you make iced tea, they are not really 'tea' like, and you can add Stevia if you like sweet I don't ), there are LOTS of stevia flavors, Stevita from Amazon is what I bought. I have a lot of flavors, but found that I haven't craved "sweet" often, so haven't used them much... I know they are there if I need them!!! lol

You could also try this little gadget, it carbonates ANYTHING, I repeat, ANYTHING!!! lol http://www.fizzgiz.com/ (It's NOT like Pepsi carbonation, but it is 'bubbly', and fun!!!)

She could make iced teas with carbonated waters, heavy flavored iced teas watered down with sparkling water.

[drislerfottor]

you dont NEED it.

get out of that mindframe.

this is the time to retrain your body and your mind.

all you need is water

They don't need it, they want it. For many plain water is boring, so if the water is bubbly and they drink more because of it, more power to them. Me I drink bottled spring water all day, why? I prefer it over purified water. And warm lemon water is the am is nice, I also like lemon-aid at night.

[Cwvnyfsj]

They don't need it, they want it.

This.

Life would be awfully boring is we only ever had things we need and never some of the things we want. Variety, after all, is the spice of life.

[UHlVExs7]

This.

Life would be awfully boring is we only ever had things we need and never some of the things we want. Variety, after all, is the spice of life.

Yes, even the monks drink buttered teas.

[yurawerj]

Fortunately I like teas and coffee - but I also have found I like to use the unflavored sparkling water as well. I usually have it with my dinner in a large red wine glass with a slice or two of lemon and lots of ice. It isn't quite the substitute for a nice glass of red, but it looks pretty and is a little more special.

I also use the sparkling water for my fruit servings. I put about 5 frozen strawberries in my Vitamix (or whatever blender you have) along with 8 oz. sparkling water and 4-5 ice cubes (add Stevia if you like) and blend well for a really refreshing drink and fresh fruit serving. I do the same thing with my grapefruit or orange in the afternoon - and really look forward to them.

I also always keep a 2 quart pitcher of lemon water in the fridge. Just slice up 1 lemon (a few cucumber slices as well if you like) and top with water. Let it blend well overnight and the next day you have lemon water for the day. I usually top off the pitcher mid-day as well. I keep my Starbucks cup filled with ice and water and drink it all day. Nothing new, but just ideas to keep you motivated as well as hydrated!