thoughts on diet soda
Replies
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Caramel coloring has been found to be carcinogenic
Nope:
http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v20je11.htmand the verdict is still out on artificial sweeteners, though it certainly can't be good for you.
Nope:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartame#Safety_and_health_effectsThere is also evidence that artificial sugar actually makes you crave real sugar, which is not what you want if you're on a diet.
Nope (PDF — look specifically at pp. 21-24):
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/supporting/doc/1641.pdf
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Technically it's the oxygen/ moisture mix reacting with the iron in metal that causes rust. And it's the chloride is seawater that causes underwater erosion in metal.
So the damage incurred by metal in contact with water is specific to metal, so water is OK to drink. And the damage incurred by concrete in contact with diet sodJUST STAY AWAY FROM THE STUFF!!!!11!1eleventyone!
Flawless logic, there.0 -
Caramel coloring has been found to be carcinogenic
Nope:
http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v20je11.htmand the verdict is still out on artificial sweeteners, though it certainly can't be good for you.
Nope:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartame#Safety_and_health_effectsThere is also evidence that artificial sugar actually makes you crave real sugar, which is not what you want if you're on a diet.
Nope (PDF — look specifically at pp. 21-24):
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/supporting/doc/1641.pdf
0 for 3.
When threads like this pop up I do a quick scan for fact-based links to scientific evidence.
I wish I could upvote or like a comment on MFP. You'd have mine.0 -
I use to drink soda a lot...then went to Diet and I honestly don't like it. So now I drink 1 regular soda a week if that. Or just went I go to a restaurant...since they add tons of ice. That is my little treat
Just remember **** Everything in moderation is key. Took me long to realize that but I finally got it. 0 -
I used to be a diet soda addict. It was my caffeine source since I can't stand even the smell of coffee. I was usually drinking at least three one-liter bottles of diet whatever (usually Dr. Pepper) a day because the not-diet kind was far too sweet to me, as I have no sweet tooth to speak of. So I can't say it made me crave sweets. I was simply in for the caffeine. Then about a year ago I started having very noticeable irregular heartbeats, which scared the crap out of me. I thought it was the caffeine, so I quit the diet soda (and any other sources of caffeine, including non-decaf teas) cold turkey. Haven't touched a drop since, and although the withdrawal was terrible, I don't miss caffeine at all now....although as it turned out, the irregular heartbeats were caused by undiagnosed heart failure due to two bad heart valves, not by caffeine. But the caffeine certainly didn't help with that.
OP, I suspect that the "crutch" works because you've simply exchanged one highly addictive stimulant for another. If you have no health issues that preclude you from having caffeine, I don't see why you couldn't keep drinking diet soda, if you want to. TBH, my own habit makes me kind of sick looking back on it, but if you're good with your Diet Coke and your heart is clicking along as it should, I say do what makes you happy. Although I think that if you're asking, "Is it OK to drink this," you're probably already thinking that it's probably not OK. You know?0 -
All the research is showing, more and more, that diet soda is TERRIBLE for you. Google the most recent studies.
I grew up on Diet Coke. LOVED it. Couldn't get enough. But once I learned that it not only tricks you into consuming more calories, but that it breaks down into all these awful things in your body, I switched to water. That is now my primary drink of choice and after almost 2 months without soda of any kind, I can honestly say I don't miss it all.0 -
Obviously, water with some lemon is better, but you know that. I still drink diet soda, but limit it to the "clear" variety( 7-up or clear fruity ones) . The question is how much are you willing to compromise to get the weight off. Only you can be the judge. If it takes a diet soda versus "the real thing" for a while, go for it . Just keep trying to adjust it to something more pure as you go. Figure out what works for you, always striving for H2O as an ultimate.0
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*grabs popcorn*
But to answer your question, I love me my diet soda and alllll the aspartame that goes with it. It's a nice treat when I have minimal calories left but want something sweet.
Just keep in mind....I'm a paramedic, and we have yet to respond to an aspartame overdose, just saying.
Live dangerously.
LOL! Critical Care here and I have to agree!
That said, OP needs to be aware there is a lot of hidden sodium in those drinks which will make her thirstier. High sodium may cause some H2O retention.0 -
It will kill you. Then it will save your life. And it will kill you again.
Scientific evidence provided by Republicans, Democrats, Concierge Staff, Mechanical Engineers, that Punk in the Mustang with an obnoxious sound system, and Armchair Experts across the world has indisputably proven this fact to be a myth based on truth as shared by Johnny Liar-Liar-Pants-On-Fire Tucker.
(That aside, if you want to, drink it. Nobody has ever overdosed on a Coke Zero. It's got some sodium in there that is meant to make you a tad thirsty so you'll go grab another one from the fridge sooner than later, but big deal. Bottoms up!)0 -
If anything, save it for a day where you have extra calories that you can consume. I do that with small amounts of chocolate if I have some room to wiggle with my food intake.0
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*
Just keep in mind....I'm a paramedic, and we have yet to respond to an aspartame overdose, just saying.
Live dangerously.
LOL Love this!!0 -
Nasty stuff. Worse than regular. On occasion I will let my kids drink Zevia or Blue Sky but that is very rare as well. The chemicals in diet soda though are just really bad.0
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I just drink the normal stuff. I might treat myself 1-2 times a week. I'd rather have moderation and have the things I like then switch something that doesn't really taste that great.0
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There has been some research that fake sweeteners confuse the body. So instead of getting high calorie sugar its getting no calorie sweetener and it can cause the body to react differently to natural sugars like those found in fruit. So instead of breaking down real sugar like your body is supposed to and cause weight gain. NPR did an interesting piece on it a little bit ago. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/07/11/200488420/do-diet-drinks-mess-up-metabolisms
I personally choose to avoid soda because my teeth are much whiter without it.0 -
Diet sodas aka can of chemicals are extremely bad for us! We might as well drink poison.
*sips on a sugar free redbull*
Each to their own... If you don't like the taste I would recommend making them habit, they are bad for us and addictive!0 -
What awful things? Be careful now because you'll be surprised at some truth here.All the research is showing, more and more, that diet soda is TERRIBLE for you. Google the most recent studies.
I grew up on Diet Coke. LOVED it. Couldn't get enough. But once I learned that it not only tricks you into consuming more calories, but that it breaks down into all these awful things in your body, I switched to water. That is now my primary drink of choice and after almost 2 months without soda of any kind, I can honestly say I don't miss it all.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
40 milligrams is considered high?*grabs popcorn*
But to answer your question, I love me my diet soda and alllll the aspartame that goes with it. It's a nice treat when I have minimal calories left but want something sweet.
Just keep in mind....I'm a paramedic, and we have yet to respond to an aspartame overdose, just saying.
Live dangerously.
LOL! Critical Care here and I have to agree!
That said, OP needs to be aware there is a lot of hidden sodium in those drinks which will make her thirstier. High sodium may cause some H2O retention.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
Phenylalaine and aspartic acid bad? Better tell that to breast feeding moms and lots of "good" foods also have them. Maybe time to review chemistry books?Nasty stuff. Worse than regular. On occasion I will let my kids drink Zevia or Blue Sky but that is very rare as well. The chemicals in diet soda though are just really bad.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
Unsupported evidence. Weight gain happens from over consumption and not the "confusion" principle.There has been some research that fake sweeteners confuse the body. So instead of getting high calorie sugar its getting no calorie sweetener and it can cause the body to react differently to natural sugars like those found in fruit. So instead of breaking down real sugar like your body is supposed to and cause weight gain. NPR did an interesting piece on it a little bit ago. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/07/11/200488420/do-diet-drinks-mess-up-metabolisms
I personally choose to avoid soda because my teeth are much whiter without it.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I recently watched the documentary "Hungry for change" it has a hokey little side story but interviews with dietitians were very informative. They explain why diet coke will sabotage your diet. It is free on Netflix streaming if you have it. I had a mild (compare to yours) coke addiction. I was able to tame it by drinking co-conut water- unflavored kind. I have no idea why this worked for me and it may not work for anyone else. But coconut water was sweet enough and it had a think consistency that for some reason satisfied my coke craving. Haven't had coke in four weeks now.0
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My main drink is water too. Diet coke is empty calories.0
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Diet coke is empty calories.
Jesus Ferdinand Christ! :sad:0 -
The only thing I can add to this is that I found after getting rid of sweet drinks (real sugar or fake) my pallet changed drastically. There are foods I once could not stomach that I like now (mostly green vegetables). I also do not crave salty contrasts to go with food paired with it (like fries or chips) .0
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I wouldn't worry much about the artificial sweeteners, but there are more and more reports coming out that the Diet Sodas may actually help you retain body fat . While I'm not sure if it is true or not, I'd rather not find out the hard way.
I wanted to drink more water, but after all the Army forced water stuff and drinking hot water that sat in the sun, I gotta have flavors in my water.
I started on the water flavoring stuff like Mio. 0 calories and I find I drink a LOT more fluids now too. I also figured they are a lot cheaper than Sodas since I get about 8-10 refills for my 18 fl oz water bottle which comes out to about .35-.50 cents per bottle. Compare that to a $1.69-ish 20 oz diet soda and I'm loving it. And the good part? I make them very weak around workout time and stretch them even more.
And I'll back up the others that said their taste changed after giving them up. While I still crave my favorite desserts, I had a sip of my wife's Mountain Dew the other night and it was just sickly sweet to me now.0 -
My main drink is water too. Diet coke is empty calories.
Wait wut?
Is this a joke?0 -
You don't need a crutch. Cut all sodas as soon as you can. Replace with real freshly squeezed fruit smoothies you'll feel energy boost. Give your body something great!! Drink lotsa water.0
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I say pick your poison. If you're trying to adopt healthy eating habits and you find drinking diet soda helpful then I see no problem with having some. However anything with artificial ingredients should be used in moderation in my opinion. There is research that suggests that the artificial sweeteners fool your body into expecting calories and then when you don't get them your appetite increases. I have not read the published research myself though. Water with some citrus is refreshing and cleansing and I have come to love it. Plain seltzer with some juice splashed in is a good alternative to soda. Good luck!0
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I gave up all soda I only drink water, and the occasional wine and I felt better. I have not had a soda besides gingerale when I am sick in 6 years and now I never crave them.
But honestly if you enjoy it and you drink it in moderation more power to you. We all have our little things that make us happy. I eat ice cream and cookies when I can fit them into my calories.0 -
It's Drink I sometimes have as is coffee, tea and water. That's it it's nothing more and nothing less despite what the haters say. If you want to stop drinking it fair enough but it's no magic nirvana to losing weight and is not the reason why you are fat either.0
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Try nice cold water with a squeeze of lemon in it for 30 days and see how you like it. You can always change later.0
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