No Calorie Sodas and Weight
ellie7187
Posts: 83 Member
I've searched online and in these forums to see what the popular opinion on this subject is. So many articles claim that no calorie sodas lead to weight gain and/or obesity. But I just don't understand how if you are running a calorie deficit.
What are your opinions?
I drink a fairly large amount of Coke Zero each day so this topic is important to me haha. Do I actually have to drink just water to lose weight?!
What are your opinions?
I drink a fairly large amount of Coke Zero each day so this topic is important to me haha. Do I actually have to drink just water to lose weight?!
9
Replies
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Diet soda does not make you gain weight.30
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I've searched online and in these forums to see what the popular opinion on this subject is. So many articles claim that no calorie sodas lead to weight gain and/or obesity. But I just don't understand how if you are running a calorie deficit.
What are your opinions?
I drink a fairly large amount of Coke Zero each day so this topic is important to me haha. Do I actually have to drink just water to lose weight?!
my understanding of the 'diet drinks make you gain weight' claim is that it came from an experiment where people were given a normal coke or diet coke and then free access to a buffet and the amount of calories that they took was then measured. people who drank the diet coke overall ate more calories...
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the articles are usually based on studies which found a correlation between diet soda consumption and obesity - not causation. a lot of them are intentionally mis-characterizing actual results for more sensational stories.22
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No idea if it directly causes weight gain. However, personally, I try to replace soda with water or tea. I feel like drinking the diet soda leaves me more thirsty and with the munchies!! Water is much more satisfying. Tea gives me caffeine, if that's what I'm craving. I have herbal tea if I just want something to sip on; I love mint tea. I keep flavored sparkling water at home for when I'm looking for some bubbles to enjoy. I really feel better when I'm not drinking soda or diet soda regularly!14
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jessiferrrb wrote: »the articles are usually based on studies which found a correlation between diet soda consumption and obesity - not causation. a lot of them are intentionally mis-characterizing actual results for more sensational stories.
Yep. Fat people are more likely to drink diet soda than people who don't have weight issues. Obviously not the same thing as "diet soda makes you fat," and certainly not the same thing as "diet soda causes weight gain without a calorie surplus," but the reporting/understanding of these things is so terrible.
There are other studies (but others that disagree, so I'm undecided) that for a portion of the population (not everyone) consuming diet soda may make you more prone to overeating absent other checks on calories, like counting. I sometimes drank diet soda when losing, sometimes did not, and I did not notice it being harder to stay within my calories when consuming it, so I am confident it's not a problem for me. (I don't drink it that much anyway, my vice is coffee and I love water, but if I want one, I have it.)7 -
To drink water all day your tastebuds must be shot. Those people will eat less. That's my observation.
Those that crave diet sodas have a craving for taste.... they like food more... they tend to weigh more.21 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »jessiferrrb wrote: »the articles are usually based on studies which found a correlation between diet soda consumption and obesity - not causation. a lot of them are intentionally mis-characterizing actual results for more sensational stories.
Yep. Fat people are more likely to drink diet soda than people who don't have weight issues. Obviously not the same thing as "diet soda makes you fat," and certainly not the same thing as "diet soda causes weight gain without a calorie surplus," but the reporting/understanding of these things is so terrible.
There are other studies (but others that disagree, so I'm undecided) that for a portion of the population (not everyone) consuming diet soda may make you more prone to overeating absent other checks on calories, like counting. I sometimes drank diet soda when losing, sometimes did not, and I did not notice it being harder to stay within my calories when consuming it, so I am confident it's not a problem for me. (I don't drink it that much anyway, my vice is coffee and I love water, but if I want one, I have it.)
agreed. the only thing i have trouble moderating when i'm drinking diet soda is the diet soda itself. especially diet gingerale, of which i can easily drink 3 cans a day. i prefer to drink water, so i tend not to keep diet soda in the house, but i'll order it in a restaurant and it's not hindered me from keeping to my goals or started me craving more food or sweets.1 -
The last time I did MFP I lost 60lbs and I drank diet Dr. Pepper the whole time. So I don't believe that diet soda will make you gain weight. Im on my journey again to lose weight since I had my last two kids. And I still drink diet soda..11
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jessiferrrb wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »jessiferrrb wrote: »the articles are usually based on studies which found a correlation between diet soda consumption and obesity - not causation. a lot of them are intentionally mis-characterizing actual results for more sensational stories.
Yep. Fat people are more likely to drink diet soda than people who don't have weight issues. Obviously not the same thing as "diet soda makes you fat," and certainly not the same thing as "diet soda causes weight gain without a calorie surplus," but the reporting/understanding of these things is so terrible.
There are other studies (but others that disagree, so I'm undecided) that for a portion of the population (not everyone) consuming diet soda may make you more prone to overeating absent other checks on calories, like counting. I sometimes drank diet soda when losing, sometimes did not, and I did not notice it being harder to stay within my calories when consuming it, so I am confident it's not a problem for me. (I don't drink it that much anyway, my vice is coffee and I love water, but if I want one, I have it.)
agreed. the only thing i have trouble moderating when i'm drinking diet soda is the diet soda itself. especially diet gingerale, of which i can easily drink 3 cans a day. i prefer to drink water, so i tend not to keep diet soda in the house, but i'll order it in a restaurant and it's not hindered me from keeping to my goals or started me craving more food or sweets.
I have discovered Goslings Diet Ginger Beer, which is expensive (comparatively) and a pain to buy as it's not in the supermarket nearest me, which is the only reason I moderate it well. ;-)2 -
My old trainer told me that the reason behind diet soda causing weight gain was that the artificial sweeteners spike blood sugar more than regular sugar does, making people less insulin sensitive and then seeking even more sugar when you sugar crash. Also it (might just be me) turns you into a Macy's parade float.35
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No idea if it directly causes weight gain. However, personally, I try to replace soda with water or tea. I feel like drinking the diet soda leaves me more thirsty and with the munchies!! Water is much more satisfying. Tea gives me caffeine, if that's what I'm craving. I have herbal tea if I just want something to sip on; I love mint tea. I keep flavored sparkling water at home for when I'm looking for some bubbles to enjoy. I really feel better when I'm not drinking soda or diet soda regularly!
I second this^^^. Diet soda just doesn't satisfy me quite like water does.2 -
My advice, if you're going to drink diet soda, try one that doesn't have the aspartame in it, like diet Pepsi or diet coke with splenda.33
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thecrushinator wrote: »My old trainer told me that the reason behind diet soda causing weight gain was that the artificial sweeteners spike blood sugar more than regular sugar does, making people less insulin sensitive and then seeking even more sugar when you sugar crash. Also it (might just be me) turns you into a Macy's parade float.
I don't know why it would cause you to bloat (not saying it doesn't, just not sure what ingredient that would be). It does not me.
As for the blood sugar thing, that's objectively false. Studies show that artificial sweeteners differ as to whether they cause insulin to rise (in response to either blood glucose rising or a perceived rise), and some do, others don't, but the ones that do still do less than sugar.5 -
I've searched online and in these forums to see what the popular opinion on this subject is. So many articles claim that no calorie sodas lead to weight gain and/or obesity. But I just don't understand how if you are running a calorie deficit.
What are your opinions?
I drink a fairly large amount of Coke Zero each day so this topic is important to me haha. Do I actually have to drink just water to lose weight?!
The actual sodas don't cause weight gain...they're zero calorie, so it's impossible. But a lot of people sit down to a double cheeseburger with bacon and an extra large french fry and think it's cool because they're drinking a diet coke and all.
I drink a diet A&W rootbeer or cream soda or diet Fresca pretty much every day after work instead of drinking beer...I dropped my winter weight with ease and thinking about taking it a little further. Drinking diet sodas have caused me no issues.6 -
Pure correlation studies and pure bunk. I could draw up a similar study correlating wearing flip flops and obesity and it would be equally meaningless.
About the closest logical conclusion one could come to is that drinking a sweeter beverage triggers the desire to eat something salty, but again - no two people are the same and not everyone has the same reaction.7 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »I've searched online and in these forums to see what the popular opinion on this subject is. So many articles claim that no calorie sodas lead to weight gain and/or obesity. But I just don't understand how if you are running a calorie deficit.
What are your opinions?
I drink a fairly large amount of Coke Zero each day so this topic is important to me haha. Do I actually have to drink just water to lose weight?!
The actual sodas don't cause weight gain...they're zero calorie, so it's impossible. But a lot of people sit down to a double cheeseburger with bacon and an extra large french fry and think it's cool because they're drinking a diet coke and all.
I drink a diet A&W rootbeer or cream soda or diet Fresca pretty much every day after work instead of drinking beer...I dropped my winter weight with ease and thinking about taking it a little further. Drinking diet sodas have caused me no issues.
This. I drink Diet Pepsi and Cherry Coke Zero and have dropped nearly 70 lbs in 8 months. But just like, "I ran up two flights of stairs so I've totally negated the calories in the ice cream sundae I'm going to have now" (been there, done that!), there's the mindset of "If I wash all this food down with a Diet Coke, the calories in the meal won't count."
It's like the old joke:
Customer: I'll have a banana split, three scoops, hot fudge sauce, hot caramel, whipped cream, cookie bits, and nuts.
Employee: And a cherry on top?
Customer: Oh, no. I'm watching my weight.
Protip: The problem ain't the cherry and for most of us (those without a food sensitivity to aspartame that causes headaches, etc.) it ain't the diet soda!6 -
TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »To drink water all day your tastebuds must be shot. Those people will eat less. That's my observation.
Those that crave diet sodas have a craving for taste.... they like food more... they tend to weigh more.
But diet pop is also the drink of anorexics too....6 -
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My advice, if you're going to drink diet soda, try one that doesn't have the aspartame in it, like diet Pepsi or diet coke with splenda.
No thanks. Diet Pepsi's change made it less palatable, and my mom even switched from CF Diet Pepsi to CF Diet Coke.
Also: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1308408/why-aspartame-isnt-scary8 -
TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »To drink water all day your tastebuds must be shot. Those people will eat less. That's my observation.
Those that crave diet sodas have a craving for taste.... they like food more... they tend to weigh more.
taste buds are shot? Seriously? Not quite....11 -
I've never noticed them doing me any harm. That said, I make sure that's not ALL I drink, because acidic soda is not the best thing for your teeth all the time.3
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It's the same line of thinking that fat people wear large clothes therefore large clothes must make you fat.25
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chelseahatch24 wrote: »TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »To drink water all day your tastebuds must be shot. Those people will eat less. That's my observation.
Those that crave diet sodas have a craving for taste.... they like food more... they tend to weigh more.
taste buds are shot? Seriously? Not quite....
After a certain point, usually weeks or months, my taste buds literally won't let me keep drinking water...
So the flavor packets come out for a couple weeks or a month.
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stanmann571 wrote: »chelseahatch24 wrote: »TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »To drink water all day your tastebuds must be shot. Those people will eat less. That's my observation.
Those that crave diet sodas have a craving for taste.... they like food more... they tend to weigh more.
taste buds are shot? Seriously? Not quite....
After a certain point, usually weeks or months, my taste buds literally won't let me keep drinking water...
So the flavor packets come out for a couple weeks or a month.
I've noticed my taste buds are BETTER after months of not drinking soda. To each their own, I guess.9 -
I don't like wasting calories on drinks so if I want a flavorful beverage I enjoy water drops or sometimes a Coke Zero. Though this thread made me really crave a zero calorie cream soda. Maybe I'll sneak a can into the movies tonight, lol.
I don't think that diet sodas make you fat. But I can understand how a person NOT tracking calories could think, "Oh, if I have diet soda then I could have more high calorie food." But because they aren't tracking they don't realize that the tradeoff isn't actually balancing calorie wise.8 -
stanmann571 wrote: »chelseahatch24 wrote: »TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »To drink water all day your tastebuds must be shot. Those people will eat less. That's my observation.
Those that crave diet sodas have a craving for taste.... they like food more... they tend to weigh more.
taste buds are shot? Seriously? Not quite....
After a certain point, usually weeks or months, my taste buds literally won't let me keep drinking water...
So the flavor packets come out for a couple weeks or a month.
Same. Crystal Light or diet soda to keep me sane at that point.
Peach-flavored, right, @stanmann571?
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quiksylver296 wrote: »stanmann571 wrote: »chelseahatch24 wrote: »TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »To drink water all day your tastebuds must be shot. Those people will eat less. That's my observation.
Those that crave diet sodas have a craving for taste.... they like food more... they tend to weigh more.
taste buds are shot? Seriously? Not quite....
After a certain point, usually weeks or months, my taste buds literally won't let me keep drinking water...
So the flavor packets come out for a couple weeks or a month.
Same. Crystal Light or diet soda to keep me sane at that point.
Peach-flavored, right, @stanmann571?
Yeah... Uh huh
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Awesome replies. And fits to what my common sense was telling me: if you track calories and know you have a deficit there's no way a zero calorie drink can cause weight gain.
It also reinstates the fact that I hate "weight loss studies" as they're often biased and pushing one agenda or another. Also, probably a lot of click bait as the diet industry is huge business.13 -
Awesome replies. And fits to what my common sense was telling me: if you track calories and know you have a deficit there's no way a zero calorie drink can cause weight gain.
It also reinstates the fact that I hate "weight loss studies" as they're often biased and pushing one agenda or another. Also, probably a lot of click bait as the diet industry is huge business.
Actually, one of the problems with a lot of weight loss studies isn't that they're biased (true scientific studies)...but rather, they tend to be correlation studies. There actually is a strong correlation between drinking diet sodas and obesity...most of these actual studies won't say that X is directly attributable to Y, they'll just illustrate the correlation. I've read one such study, and they mention in the study that there seems to be a strong psychological component that people drinking diet soda think they are being good, so they can just indulge elsewhere.
Another problem...probably the biggest problem and where you actually run into bias is that a journal or magazine or whatever will pick up on a study and either 1) misinterpret what the study is actually saying, or 2) they will deliberately cherry pick particular parts of the study without giving you the whole story in order to further an agenda or get headlines...this isn't the fault of the study but rather the presentation of the study by media sources.
Unfortunately, people are more likely to pick up and read a sensationalized piece of work in a magazine than actually reading a scientific study.8 -
Awesome replies. And fits to what my common sense was telling me: if you track calories and know you have a deficit there's no way a zero calorie drink can cause weight gain.
It also reinstates the fact that I hate "weight loss studies" as they're often biased and pushing one agenda or another. Also, probably a lot of click bait as the diet industry is huge business.
Bingo.4
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