[Beatris]

Dr Atkins recommended that we avoid caffeine and aspartame, so Diet Coke should be avoided if possible. I drink mostly Diet Rite cola. It's sweetened with Splenda and has no caffeine. The cherry cola is my favorite.

I also make Italian sodas with sugar-free davinci syrups and club soda.

However, when I go to a movie or a restaurant and they don't have anything (besides water) that doesn't have sugar or caffeine, I'll have a diet coke or pepsi.

I'd recommend being the most strict about caffeine and aspartame during Induction. After that, you can see how your body responds to an occasional diet coke.

One thing--no matter if it's sweetened with aspartame or spenda, or if it has caffeine or not, too much cola is bad for you because it has phosphoric acid to give it the extra kick we expect from a cola. Phosphoric acid leaches calcium from your bones and teeth. An occasional coke wouldn't affect you badly, but it could be a problem if you overdo it.