Zero Calorie Beverages

Hey everyone.

So I have been counting my calories for about three weeks now, and i quite pleased with my results so far. I used to be very athletic, but after being relocated to a foreign coutnry on business for a few years, i fell of the wagon. Now i am back and aiming to drop about 15 more pounds, and be able to run long distances as before.

I have started a running routine in which i am slowly working my way up distance-wise and time-wise. My most convenient time to run is about 3:30 in the afternoon, when it is very hot. I do drink a lot of water during the day, at least 3 32 oz bottles, but i also like drinking a powerade or a gatorade after a run to help me rehydrate and refuel on electrolytes.

I bought some zero calorie powerades to drink. My question is concerning the impact they will eventually have on weightloss. I am hesistant to believe that it really would have a zero calorie impact on my overall, but then again, i am no expert.

Any thoughts? While your at it feel free to take a look at my diary and give any tips. I don't pretend to eat healthy, i indulge plenty in unhealthy food, but i do weigh and measure, and my records are accurate.
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Replies

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    FDA allows anything with less than 5 calories per serving to be labeled as zero calorie. Even at that, I highly doubt you would be drinking enough of it to take you out of your overall calorie deficit.
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    I thought the Powerades had 3 calories or something. Regardless, you're talking about rounding error kinds of numbers.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    Powerade Zeros have not affected my loss in any way. I do find them to be saltier tasting than regular Powerade, but that's the whole point of my drinking them - to replace salt and electrolytes.
  • SEAFOODMAN
    SEAFOODMAN Posts: 342
    my new favorite......Rockstar pure zero
  • melindafritz1976
    melindafritz1976 Posts: 329 Member
    They have fake sugar in them
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    They have fake sugar in them

    ....and?
  • melindafritz1976
    melindafritz1976 Posts: 329 Member
    it wont harm your weight loss
    they said diet coke
    would too
    it didnt for me
    i lost 50 s ome pounds drinking diet coke
    sometimes
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    They wont effect anything not according to Science

    Though I do warn you that's a huge can of worms and there's bound to be tons of absolute nonsense in the remainder of this thread.
  • melindafritz1976
    melindafritz1976 Posts: 329 Member
    and fake sugar isnt good for you
    and the dr will tell you to use stuff with real sugar
    fake sugar is worse than real sugar
  • rileyleigh
    rileyleigh Posts: 106 Member
    Powerade Zeros have not affected my loss in any way. I do find them to be saltier tasting than regular Powerade, but that's the whole point of my drinking them - to replace salt and electrolytes.

    Thats why i drink it too, plus i think it tastes good and it satisfies a little bit of a sweet craving.

    On a related note, what do we think about diet soda beverages? Am i to believe that just because something is "zero calories", that it really has a virtually negligible effect on my CICO?
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    They have fake sugar in them
    That's because "real" sugar isn't zero calories.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    and fake sugar isnt good for you
    and the dr will tell you to use stuff with real sugar
    fake sugar is worse than real sugar

    Could you provide some peer reviewed scientific research to back up your claims?
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    my new favorite......Rockstar pure zero

    I must try it...

    48003-colbert-gimme-gif-QRuM.gif
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    Powerade Zeros have not affected my loss in any way. I do find them to be saltier tasting than regular Powerade, but that's the whole point of my drinking them - to replace salt and electrolytes.

    Thats why i drink it too, plus i think it tastes good and it satisfies a little bit of a sweet craving.

    On a related note, what do we think about diet soda beverages? Am i to believe that just because something is "zero calories", that it really has a virtually negligible effect on my CICO?

    VVV Looks at ticker. Looks at Diet Coke in my hand. :laugh: :drinker:
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    and fake sugar isnt good for you
    and the dr will tell you to use stuff with real sugar
    fake sugar is worse than real sugar
    How so?
  • rileyleigh
    rileyleigh Posts: 106 Member
    Powerade Zeros have not affected my loss in any way. I do find them to be saltier tasting than regular Powerade, but that's the whole point of my drinking them - to replace salt and electrolytes.

    Thats why i drink it too, plus i think it tastes good and it satisfies a little bit of a sweet craving.

    On a related note, what do we think about diet soda beverages? Am i to believe that just because something is "zero calories", that it really has a virtually negligible effect on my CICO?

    VVV Looks at ticker. Looks at Diet Coke in my hand. :laugh: :drinker:

    Fair enough! I can't say I'm not pleased with my own progress either, so obviously i am doing something right.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Powerade Zeros have not affected my loss in any way. I do find them to be saltier tasting than regular Powerade, but that's the whole point of my drinking them - to replace salt and electrolytes.

    Thats why i drink it too, plus i think it tastes good and it satisfies a little bit of a sweet craving.

    On a related note, what do we think about diet soda beverages? Am i to believe that just because something is "zero calories", that it really has a virtually negligible effect on my CICO?

    If your consuming a ton of zero calorie beverages, than you might want to set aside a few calories for them. For example, my deficit is 250 calories and I like to drink Diet Dr. Thunder. It would take me at least 50 cans (if they have 5 calories, but remember FDA says it has to be less than 5 to be labeled zero) to get out of my daily deficit and well I can't possibly drink that many of them in a day.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    Powerade Zeros have not affected my loss in any way. I do find them to be saltier tasting than regular Powerade, but that's the whole point of my drinking them - to replace salt and electrolytes.

    Thats why i drink it too, plus i think it tastes good and it satisfies a little bit of a sweet craving.

    On a related note, what do we think about diet soda beverages? Am i to believe that just because something is "zero calories", that it really has a virtually negligible effect on my CICO?

    VVV Looks at ticker. Looks at Diet Coke in my hand. :laugh: :drinker:

    Fair enough! I can't say I'm not pleased with my own progress either, so obviously i am doing something right.

    FWIW, I am trying to incorporate more water into my day. Yes, soda contains water your body can use to hydrate you. But I was drinking a LOT of diet soda...like a 12 pack a day. So I'm working on putting more tea and water into my day. I still don't find anything wrong with soda, but I was getting tired of the stuff!
  • Laragibson08
    Laragibson08 Posts: 6 Member
    Bai is the best diet drink I've found. It actually has 5 calories per serving, but totally worth. Does not have that "diety sugar" taste that so many others have. Lots of good flavor choices, although a little pricier than Powerade.
  • SrMaggalicious
    SrMaggalicious Posts: 495 Member
    I do the Zevia Ginger Root beer, and Vitamin Water zero cals and no effect on my weight loss. I also drink a ton of water, oolong tea, etc...i like variety! :)

    my god, I can't spell today!
  • klaff411
    klaff411 Posts: 169 Member
    Powerade Zeros have not affected my loss in any way. I do find them to be saltier tasting than regular Powerade, but that's the whole point of my drinking them - to replace salt and electrolytes.

    Thats why i drink it too, plus i think it tastes good and it satisfies a little bit of a sweet craving.

    On a related note, what do we think about diet soda beverages? Am i to believe that just because something is "zero calories", that it really has a virtually negligible effect on my CICO?

    VVV Looks at ticker. Looks at Diet Coke in my hand. :laugh: :drinker:

    Fair enough! I can't say I'm not pleased with my own progress either, so obviously i am doing something right.

    FWIW, I am trying to incorporate more water into my day. Yes, soda contains water your body can use to hydrate you. But I was drinking a LOT of diet soda...like a 12 pack a day. So I'm working on putting more tea and water into my day. I still don't find anything wrong with soda, but I was getting tired of the stuff!

    I've been off soda for about 2 years now. I used to drink about 5-6 cans a day of diet coke. I do get the craving for something bubbly so I have a flavored water or a selzer.
  • linsdog
    linsdog Posts: 94 Member
    No problems personally. I am similar in that I do road cycling and mountain biking. No way to get out of the heat where I live so need to hydrate better. Powerade zero fills the bill for electrolytes without messing up my tracking.

    Also occasionally use some cycling specific tabs to add electrolytes. But primarily drink water.

    *Edited to add that Powerade zero now comes in the do it yourself dropper bottle. Can add as much or as little as you like to taste, so you can control the servings.
  • 1HappyRedhead
    1HappyRedhead Posts: 413 Member
    I love the Clear American flavored waters.... (wal-mart)
    They come in 1 liter size and various flavors. Nothing at all in them. :flowerforyou:
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Am i to believe that just because something is "zero calories", that it really has a virtually negligible effect on my CICO?

    Nothing to believe..it's a fact.
  • rileyleigh
    rileyleigh Posts: 106 Member
    Am i to believe that just because something is "zero calories", that it really has a virtually negligible effect on my CICO?

    Nothing to believe..it's a fact.

    Alright, this is basically what i was looking for. I don't drink diet sodas because i don't think they taste good, but it is good to know that it is a realistic alternative if i ever want it.

    Thanks everyone!
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Well, I guess it's been a whole 48 hours since this topic reared its head again.

    Type this into the Google

    diet soda site:myfitnesspal.com
  • rileyleigh
    rileyleigh Posts: 106 Member
    Well, I guess it's been a whole 48 hours since this topic reared its head again.

    Type this into the Google

    diet soda site:myfitnesspal.com

    Why would i ask google when i have all you kind people who have had weight loss success to help me out? :smile: And to be fair i don't live on this forum so i wouldn't know when the last time someone asked this questions was.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Water & air are the ONLY things with 0 calories. Everything else has calories to it.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    Let's put it this way:

    Calories are units of energy. Too many calories than your body needs will result in weight gain over time. Too few calories than your body needs will result in weight loss, over time.

    If you are in a calorie deficit from your food, drinking a beverage that has zero calories can and will not cause you to gain weight, or hinder weight loss. Again, this ins only if you are in a deficit to begin with.

    There are some (interesting, but not entirely irrefutable) studies out there that suggest consuming artificial, zero-calorie sweeteners cause sugar cravings in some people, which can cause them to eat more calories in the form of sweets, but if you are able to limit your calories to under your TDEE, you will still lose weight, regardless of cravings or not.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Hey so... bourbon is zero calories right? Because i'm going zero cal right now if that's the case.