Was thinking of using the Atkins products to follow a Zone diet here in Canada since the Zone products are not available and all other shakes are way too high in carbs. However Sucralose is what these folks use to sweeten their bars and shakes. Sucralose seems to be getting a bad rap :evil: on the net. e.g. http://www.holisticmed.com/splenda/ and many others. What is the take on sucralose in the Zone community? :?

Hellllooooooooo :roll:

Personally if I'm going to have sugar I want it to be healthy natural sugar..just like not eating hydologized (sp) foods. I'd rather balance out the carbs by using less sugar than use something fake. But I've noticed that as I cut out the sugar things are tasting better anyway. It takes less sugar every time to satisfy my sweet tooth. I've also noticed that fruits taste sweeter. Its a nice change of pace

I posted this on the Health section but thought I would share it with you as well. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3840760/

There was some discussion months ago to the effect that Atkins products were hard to find in Canada (their website actually said "not available" in Canada.) Where do you live? I see plenty of ZonePerfect bars. Many of us Zoners are able to do what you propose: Balance a Zone-friendly diet around fresh foods and some ZonePerfect, Atkins, and Sears products, some Balance Bars and PR* bars, etc. Sucralose would be OK if it works for you. I have submitted several posts concerning sensitivity to sweeteners (see Health:Diet Coke). I personally prefer crystalline fructose to cane sugar or any substitute. It has no immediate effect on my blood glucose or insulin, and measures like sugar, so I sprinkle a little in tea and on oatmeal and berries and such. I visit Ontario very frequently, where fructose is considerably cheaper than in the US. ($5 CDN for a kilo) I buy it by the kilogram plastic bagful and bring it home in my luggage. ("Don't touch my bag if you please, Mr. Customs Man.")