Aspartame Question!!

In anticipation of my upcoming surgery, (April 24th) I am attempting to prepare my kitchen cabinets with all the things I may need when I come home. Of course, some of the things I may not need for a while! My question concerns foods that contain aspartame. Seems as if EVERYTHING sugarless/sugarfree contains this ingredient. I have multiple sclerosis and am completely fine on a daily basis....until I eat/drink something with aspartame in it and then my extremities go numb for a few days afterward. Now that the surgery date is creeping up on me, I keep wondering what else I could use in place of this sweetener. I looked at the boxes of Jello and pudding that I have and of course they all have aspartame. So does my FAVORITE SugarFree KOOLAID! Boo Hoo! Any other suggestions as to what types of sugarfree foods I can eat that do NOT contain aspartame? Thank you so much for your help! Hollie

Alot of SF foods are starting to add sucralose (Splenda) instead. I know that Snapple diet teas and Crystal Light in the bottles, not powdered, have sucralose. Powdered CL has aspartame. Hope this helps some.

Hi Hollie, I too understand your dilema. I have been tested since oct. of 2003 for M.S. I have all of the symptoms and quirks that come with it, but no full blown spots on the lobes of my brain yet just small shadows. It was recommended to me by my neurologist that I use either Splenda or Stevia. Stevia is an all natural sweetner, you can find it at mom & pop health food stores. It doesn't contain anything that will set off the M.S. As for the Splenda I have had no ill effects from it either, and actually prefer the two of these over anything else. Good luck. ~SassyLu~

Mark: Thanks for the info about the Crystal Light. Picked up some of the bottled Lemonade and will try that. I also checked out your site and wanted to say thanks for the most laughs I've had in a very long time. I was in tears! GOOD LUCK with your surgery! SassyLu: Yep, MS can play hide & seek with you! I was tested so many times before being diagnosed. Hope it's all working out okay for you! A friend told me about Stevia also. I'm going to get some for sure. Sounds a lot better than Aspartame!!! I appreciate both of your inputs!! Hollie