Hi,
See if you can find this book at your bookstore:
The Secret to Low Carb Success!: How to Get the Most Out of Your Low Carbohydrate Diet
by Laura Richard
Here's the link to Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...how=-submittime
This book answers a *lot* of the questions you've asked, and has some great basic advice.
Basically, it appears that people respond differently to a few substances like aspartame. I still don't understand the coffee thing, but I need two cups a day. I tried giving it up when I started induction but let's just say it didn't take (very ugly story).
I regularly have low-carb jello with self-whipped cream plus Splenda. I appear to be having a normal induction. In fact, the nights I have more cream (1/2 cup instead of 1/4 cup) I have posted the largest losses during my induction period. Go figure.
Bottom line: try it (the jello) and see if it interferes with weight loss. When/if weight loss stops, eliminate it and see if it changes anything.
I would also point out to you that you are probably in the worst period of time for carb cravings - the first three or four days. After about the fourth day the cravings pretty much completely go away except for some very low-intensity ones that are easily satisfied with protien or fat.
After induction there are *lots* of choices for treats: Atkins has even come out with a low-carb peanut-butter cup. Cheesecake is another popular favorite.
So don't worry, it gets better!
Good luck