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HOUSTON, 11:28 p.m. CST November 27, 2000 - Do you love diet soda or hot chocolate? What about fat-free yogurt or sugar-free gelatin?

While those products might taste good and be less filling -- in the calorie department -- one M.D. Anderson Cancer Center neurologist is warning that some of them may not be good for you. Why?

Because among the dozens of ingredients in these products is one called aspartame.

"I think there's enough evidence to suggest this is not a good thing for folks," Dr. Arthur Forman told News2Houston.

Forman believes that aspartame may cause several serious problems, such as headaches to seizures and irritability to birth defects.

The doctor said that some studies, including one by Dr. John Olney from Washington University, shows that aspartame may be linked to brain tumors.

But one of the least known side effects, an ironic one, is that aspartame, which is found in many diet foods, may increase your appetite.

"Many patients find it stimulates the appetite," Forman said.

Forman says that aspartame contains an amino acid called phenylalanine, which causes insulin to be released, triggering hunger.

Some people are allergic to phenylalanine and can suffer brain damage and other complications if they take it.

Aspartame also contains aspartic acid and methanol, which breaks down to formaldehyde in the body.

Forman believes that pregnant women and children should not consume aspartame.

"There are mechanisms to see this is causing serious problems for some folks," Forman said. "I don't recommend it for anyone, frankly."

But FDA spokeswoman Sheryl Baylor says consuming aspartame is OK.

"The FDA does believe it's safe," Baylor said.

Baylor said that after the agency conducted studies on aspartame, it approved it, except for people who are allergic to phenylalanine. She acknowledged, however, that any substance can cause side effects.

"We continue to look at the product and review complaints," Baylor said.

For those concerned, Baylor and Forman suggest checking labels closely, because many products containing aspartame could surprise you, like some laxatives and children's vitamins.

The FDA says that it is the law that if a product contains aspartame, it must be listed on the label.