Newbie here. I feel like I'm messing up before I'm hardly even started. I might just need a slap though lol

#21

Hmmm, interesting! I also add stevia to my BP coffee. So really, I could have anywhere from 1-3 packets of Stevia per day. I am more than willing to eliminate it totally but do you have any suggestions on what I can use as a replacement? I need SOME type of sweetener in my coffee, and as much as I do love ice water, I just at times need some type of taste to my water. Lemon and/or cucumber doesn’t do much for me. It’s the sweet I need lol :frowning:

#22

Ty for the videos. I am going to watch them right now :slight_smile:

#23

Also, what are your opinions on eating before bed when on Keto? I do this, almost every night. It’s usually eggs and bacon, eggs and sausage, or something similar. I have trouble sleeping, always have. Zzzquil and a full tummy is my savior to help me lol

(Darlene Horsley) #24

Zzzquil has high fructose corn syrup in it!

#25

:open_mouth::open_mouth::open_mouth::open_mouth::open_mouth::open_mouth::open_mouth::open_mouth::open_mouth:

(Michael ) #26

My opinion on eating before bed is it makes me restless and full of energy. I would probably need zzzquil to sleep. Not sure if it comes equipped with alcohol, but then it would be double off the menu for me. Ethanol will also raise insulin and do other nasty stuff.

Sweetener replacement…butter? :grin:
But seriously, i like naturally flavored la croix and aquafina. Not sure what those natural flavors are or how healthy they are, but I’ve never had a negative impact on ketosis with those. You will have to lower your sweet expectations with them

#27

Ok, so this is a huge eye-opener for me. I’m wondering if zzzquil has been my issue this entire time. I’m not sure what area you’re from, but in PA we have a chain drug store called “CVS” . They carry their own brand of ZZZQuil and I do buy the alcohol-free one, But as Darlene just pointed out, zzzquil has high fructose corn syrup in it. It never even crossed my mind ! There is nothing anywhere on the packaging stating it has sugar in it. All it states is that is has 23 mg. of Sodium. I cannot believe all this month, all this holiday stuff I’ve said no to, and as good as I’ve been, I possibly screwed up because of a knock-off brand of Zzzquil. I feel like crying :sob::sob: I’m trying to find information on google about the Alcohol free CVS brand but cannot find anything.

Now to your reply about butter as a sweetener replacement haha! I wish lol! I can live without the flavoring in my water, no biggie. I’m totally willing to just suck it up and drink ice water now. But no sweetener in my coffee …yikes! lol

(Michael ) #28

Well if it’s not listed, maybe it has a sweetner. I try to avoid all medications for health, but that’s not a keto thing. As far as coffee, i like it black… acquired taste. Some people find salt and butter reduces bitterness

If you really need sweeteners, listen to episode from the dudes on 26mar2016. They discuss most of them in detail

#29

I’m actually going to go to CVS now and talk to the pharmacist. And I’m sorry, what’s “the dudes”? I’m not familiar with it. I really appreciate all your help, Mike. Do you have a link to it? I’m off to run to CVS, bbs with bad news about how I destroyed my diet with a damn medication. :sob: lol

(Darlene Horsley) #30

Here’s a link to the CVS brand. Scroll down to the INACTIVE INGREDIENTS. The Nyquil brand has the corn syrup in it. The CVS brand has sorbitol and sucralose.

#31

Darlene, you may have very well solved my issue. I am sitting here so mad right now. I did go to CVS and talk to the pharmacist and it sure does have sugar in it. They didn’t even know how much. I don’t know if me taking the alcohol-free one makes any difference in sugar content. I cannot find any information on the alcohol-free one anywhere. But doesn’t matter, sugar is sugar. :frowning: I feel like I just wasted all my hard work for nothing. I mean, this could’ve definitely destroyed everything, am I right?

(Michael ) #32

Sorry, i thought everyone on the forum was familiar with 2ketodudes podcast. Search 2 keto dudes in a podcast program or itunes and you can scroll the archives if you’re interested. The dudes are great

(Darlene Horsley) #33

I think if you were using the CVS brand it’s ok because it uses artificial sweetener and a sugar alcohol. BUT this link is not the “alcohol free” one. I doubt using it “destroyed” your hard work but it definitely won’t help.
Just KETO on and definitely listen to some episodes on

(Michael ) #34

You might want to investigate why you can’t sleep before taking any of that crap. It’s important to get a good healthy night sleep to keep cortisol down and repair the body. Have you tried melatonin or magnesium? Also, do you limit artificial light from electronics an hour or two before bed? Maybe there’s something you can work with or try to get a good night sleep without the pharmaceutical anf you won’t have to worry what’s in it

(Darlene Horsley) #35

You are so right about electronic lights! Great suggestion!!!
I am extremely sensitive to those lights at night. In fact I took black electrical tape and covered up the lights on the phone, the DirecTV box, and even covered up my alarm clock with a hand towel!
Was sleeping so much better until the neighbor behind me added motion detection lights to his garage that happened to shine directly into my bedroom windows, with the blinds closed I might add. Ordered blackout drapes… problem solved and sleeping much better again.

(Michael ) #36

My late night usage is reading on kindle fire but luckily Amazon is awesome and it allows you to turn off blue light and i can still produce melatonin

#37

Yea I’ve always had trouble sleeping, unfortunately. I’ve always slept with the TV on, too. If it’s too quiet, my mind races and I think too much and then I have even more trouble sleeping :rofl: When I went to CVS earlier to speak to the Pharmacist, I did pick up Melatonin, 10 mg. I remember trying it years ago and it didn’t work at all for me but I’m hoping for some reason it will now.

(Michael ) #38

I like the tv too. I just set it on 30 minute timer, turn away from it and close my eyes. Before that, try to just read for awhile and take melatonin and magnesium at least a few hours before bedtime. Also, have to get in the habit of not thinking about anything stressful. There’s nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow

(Liz ) #39

I just want to say, as a former sweetener addict, I went cold turkey & everything is fine :wink: I didn’t think I could live without it either but you totally acclimate & things like heavy cream start to taste sweet. Your tastes literally change when you stop using sweeteners. You might consider giving it a try some day down the road.