Aspartame Anyone?

Has anyone had any problems with side effects from drinks like Crystal Light?  Here lately, I've been having an unbelieveable problem with going and staying asleep.  I can say that I get no more than about 32oz of peach or raspberry iced tea daily, but the container says it's 99% caffeine free.  I only drink Nectar proteins, which have no aspartame, but I can't seem to put my finger on why I can't either sleep through the night or fall asleep at a decent hour (only drink coffee on Sundays after church).  Granted, I don't work in the summer, which is no help with napping during the day, but it still seems like something's not right.

I truly love my CL, but of course when your looking for info on the web, people act like drinking it will kill you!  I have no problem cutting back to see if I do better without it, but what else is there in the mean time?  I tried that 4C once when it was on sale (not a tea flavor), and I was not impressed.  Any suggestions and experiences would be greatly appreciated!

I have to be careful with Apartame also.  I seem to do better with Spenda.  However, in response to your post I have found sugar free fruit punch, lemonade, orange ade in cans put out by Tropicana.  I love it and don't seem to have as much of a problem with that as the Crystal Light.  It does have apartame but my body seems to have an easier time digesting it.  I don't know if it might be an option for you but did want to suggest it just in case.  

You could try making koolaid with splenda as a flavored drink rather than the crystal light.  Splenda is supposed to be better for you.  I do find that there is a difference  between plain water though and flavored drinks, even the sugar free.   Good luck, Tamara

The only problem I have with it is that I break out something terrible...I love CL and the diet decaf teas that are out there, and even Propel makes me break out like a teen again.  I started mixing 100% juice with water as a substitute and I also brew my own decaf flavored herbal teas sometimes.   I do have a friend who gets headaches from aspartame and another who gets shaky on any artificial sweetners so it wouldn't surprise me if it has anything to do with your sleep issue. Good luck! Christine

Funny you mention the breakouts...I'm 31 and just started using Proactiv in March after hitting the CL hard in January!  I NEVER had problem skin and thought it was stress-related or just adult breakouts.  I think I'll start mixing the juices as well.  I've been a "diet" junkie for ages, but maybe I'm starting to develop some type of sensitivity to it.  Perfect timing seeing as how I just stocked up on them during last weeks' BOGO sale!  BUMMER!

I am so intrigued with your post! I drink a fair amount of CL and I have horrendous trouble sleeping. I doubt it's the tiny amount of caffeine, but I wonder if there might be something else in it that could mess with my sleep cycle. I can't seem to stay asleep for more than an hour at a time.

I can't breath when I use aspartame but can use both Splenda and Stevia.  The Crystal Light that comes premixed in bottles is sweetened with Splenda. unlike the instant versions.  I agree that some of the 4C aren't too great but I really like the Blueberry white tea.  The new Energy Run Berry that has some stimulates in it is also tasty but way to dangerous for anyone with blood pressure problems.   I just bouth a new 4C flavor was Morning Orange but haven't tried it yet.   Also you might want to try the Lipton Green Tea  To Go flavors.  I particularly like the Mandarin Mango Green Tea and Apple Cranberry White Tea.   I'm not big on the Lemon or Cherry flavors but I do drink then occasionally.. I just bought one of the new Propel flavors but haven't tried it yet.  When I have trouble sleeping, I find some soothing music and/or Melatonin really helpful.  You can get Melatonin at a health food store.  My doctor turned me on to Melatonin.  You take Meletonin about 30 minutes before bedtime. Good luck