I think crystal lite is part of my problem?

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Replies

  • rmac18
    rmac18 Posts: 185 Member
    I think moderation is a key. I completely cut out all sodas (diet or otherwise) and it really jumpstarted my weight loss for the first month. I try to drink a lot of water but I need other alternatives and I try not to drink calories. I drink a glass or two of either Crystal Light lemonade or unsweetened iced tea per day on average along with about half a gallon of water and a few cups of coffee (not ready to give that up yet) and have maintained fairly consistent weight loss over the past several months. Personally I like the variety of having lemonade without a lot of calories and I find it very hard to drink only water. I did go a few weeks with water and coffee only but didn't see any benefits on the scale or in the way I felt so I went back to the glass or two of Crystal Light lemonade or unsweetened iced tea per day and it seems fine to me. At times I want to cut out everything and try to have a perfect diet but then reality hits and I find I am most successful when I can just strike a good balance.
  • kristinL16
    kristinL16 Posts: 401 Member
    Also, the problem with diet soda is typically not the artificial sweetner but the added sodium that is associated with it.

    Which diet soda has a lot of sodium? The ones I have looked at have very little.

    I am not trying to say that diet soda is healthy but I don't believe sodium is one reason why.
  • AshCakes88
    AshCakes88 Posts: 123 Member
    Personally, Crystal Light doesn't have a negative effect on anything for me. I drink usually 2 packets a day(the one's for the water bottle). It just helps me increase my water intake. A gallon does seem a bit excessive though...try diluting it :happy:
  • Ohjeezitskim
    Ohjeezitskim Posts: 129 Member
    Actually artifical sweetners like aspartame and saccharin have been studied extensively and there has not been any significant research that has linked them to any major diseases. However, there is some current research that suggests it does affect portions of the brain (in the brain) similar to drinks sweetened with regular sugars. However this research has been limited to rats and have been unable to be replicated in primate studies. I agree with Poe, don't believe everything you read at least unless it can be backed up by reputable research. However, each person is different and you notice a personal difference than do what is better for you. I did see a comment about headaches and some people that drink these sweeteners have reported this but there is no long term significant issues associated with these artificial sweeteners and for the most part are considered safe.
    I only comment because I do study this stuff.

    I would also say that a diet that is as natural as possible is probably the best. i.e. Michael Pollen's Food Rules.

    I agree with you. I've read/heard the same things. My whole house has been drinking diet soda/crystal light and there's been no problems with any of us and hasn't stopped anyone from losing weight. Except I gave up soda and probably have about 2 cups a month.
  • tsh0ck
    tsh0ck Posts: 1,970 Member
    Also, the problem with diet soda is typically not the artificial sweetner but the added sodium that is associated with it.

    Which diet soda has a lot of sodium? The ones I have looked at have very little.

    I am not trying to say that diet soda is healthy but I don't believe sodium is one reason why.

    you're right. that's a weird talking point that constantly comes up, despite the fact that diet soda has next to nothing in the sodium department.
  • Gr8ChangesAhead
    Gr8ChangesAhead Posts: 836 Member
    I was diagnosed with diabetes and the nutritionist at hospital told me to leave real sugar alone and add equal or splenda to replace sugar. Not much of a choice ??? I do drink between 8 - 12 glasses of water as well as my coffee and diet iced tea and a occsional diet soda. Only sweet and low makes me ill ??
  • DterMined2012
    DterMined2012 Posts: 540 Member
    Also, the problem with diet soda is typically not the artificial sweetner but the added sodium that is associated with it.

    Which diet soda has a lot of sodium? The ones I have looked at have very little.

    I am not trying to say that diet soda is healthy but I don't believe sodium is one reason why.
    I checked it also and there's only about 70 milligrams so I don't know why I couldn't get any wt off unless it was just that I wasn't drinking ANY water
  • mellowwine
    mellowwine Posts: 2
    I became addicted to the flavored carbonated water from Wal-Mart when I gave up regular soda some years back. I couldn't drink a lot of the diet sodas because I'd get an allergic reaction to the saccharine, etc. Then they started using aspartame which didn't bother me and that was what sweetened the flavored fizzy water at Wal-Mart. It didn't have any calories, sodium or sugar. But I pretty much stopped drinking plain water. I also started having cravings for regular sweets, the kind with REAL sugar! That's when I noticed the studies that were being published that said the same thing -- doctors felt that artificial sweeteners didn't fool the body which wants the real thing. Then my doctor got concerned that I was mildly dehydrated. So, no more fizzy water. I started drinking lots of regular old plain water. Doing much better! So, I guess my answer is YES, watch your consumption of Crystal Lite or any of the other artificially sweetened drinks.
  • fdlafon
    fdlafon Posts: 259 Member
    Artificial sweetener, just like most everything else in life, effect people differently.
    I personally have no problems associated with them. I use them with no issues or regret.
  • Leiki
    Leiki Posts: 526 Member
    That stuff is so strong. I take no more than a 1/3 per glass of water/ water bottle.
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    chemicals are NEVER good for you !! :noway:
    That's a bit extreme. My aunt thought they were pretty good for her when she was going through chemo.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    OP -- Are you blaming Crystal Light for weight gain or something else?

    Because if you think it's the reason you're overweight, I think you're probably fooling yourself.
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    You could stop drinking it and see if you lose weight.
  • rjt1000
    rjt1000 Posts: 700 Member
    i really dont know about drinking crystal lite. I used to drink it all the time, until i saw what it did to the glass i used to drink it. It didnt necessarily stain the glass but it left this white kinda dinge to it. it would wash off true, but after seeing what it did to the glass kinda made me think what is it doing to my body? i dunno maybe it was just the powder seperating but it was enough to turn me off of crystal lite

    you should see what your stomach acid does to that white stuff......
  • rjt1000
    rjt1000 Posts: 700 Member
    chemicals are NEVER good for you !! :noway:

    Really? what about penicillin? Need I go on?
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    chemicals are NEVER good for you !! :noway:

    Really? what about penicillin? Need I go on?

    Penicillin is mold. But I guess everything in the universe is a chemical of some sort.
  • ahipsher
    ahipsher Posts: 46 Member
    Artificial sweeteners WRECK my stomach.
    Like those sugar free candies? If any of you have had experiences with eating too many "sugar free whatevers," you get what I'm saying. :embarassed:

    I personally try to stay away from Crystal Lite and other things like that. Above all else, I think they taste terrible. I'd rather have water with lemon if I'm going to have flavored water at all. Secondly, I try to stay from things that come from a box. I used to get bloaty eating/drinking things like that, but the bloat around my tummy area went away when I kicked my Diet Dr. Pepper habbit.

    But that's not to say you shouldn't enjoy it if you don't feel like it's interfering. I've seen studies from both sides of the argument.
    I'd rather sweeten with honey anyway. :wink:
  • mrsbrown2k1
    mrsbrown2k1 Posts: 139
    Have you figured up how many calories you are drinking buy drinkning a gallon?? I am sure it's a lot when 5 calories for 1 8oz serving. That alone could really impact your weight loss.

    128 oz in 1 gallon
  • Flippiefloppies
    Flippiefloppies Posts: 319
    Try flavoring your water with actual fruits. Oranges, strawberries, cucumbers etc.
  • TinkrBelz
    TinkrBelz Posts: 866 Member
    I drink it and use sweet n low in my coffee and neither have affected me in a negative way. I am sure that every persons body is different and it may affect some people.
  • JenAiMarres
    JenAiMarres Posts: 743 Member
    I get straight up sick if I drink a lot of crystal light. It really messes with my tummy.

    YUP! me too!! loaded with crap, but I admit I drink about once stick a day but I have to mix it in with 1.0 liter to 1.5 liters so its diluted!
  • WhiteCoc0
    WhiteCoc0 Posts: 160 Member
    Gross. Anything artifical is seriously bad and super icky tasting! I would say drink WATER!!! good ol water is refreshing, doesn't cause cancer, free from the tap and damn delicious!
  • pad4sale
    pad4sale Posts: 1
    I just found out that I am diabetic. My endocronologist said I need to use artificial sweatners if I am going to have anything sweet. I have lost 20 lbs in 4 months, seems to be working for me. Cutting out carbohydrates and sugars have made a huge difference. The only way I can do that is to drink diet soft drinks or crystal lite products. I am sure that water is the healthiest solution but lets get real. We all need to have something in our diets that is satisfying.
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    Have you figured up how many calories you are drinking buy drinkning a gallon?? I am sure it's a lot when 5 calories for 1 8oz serving. That alone could really impact your weight loss.

    128 oz in 1 gallon
    OMG YOU'RE RIGHT THAT'S LIKE 80 CALORIES A DAY
  • Jessamine
    Jessamine Posts: 226 Member
    The only problem I've experienced with Crystal Light, specifically, is molar pain. The pain is bad when I start drinking CL every day. It disappears every time I commit to not drinking it.
  • tsh0ck
    tsh0ck Posts: 1,970 Member
    Have you figured up how many calories you are drinking buy drinkning a gallon?? I am sure it's a lot when 5 calories for 1 8oz serving. That alone could really impact your weight loss.

    128 oz in 1 gallon
    OMG YOU'RE RIGHT THAT'S LIKE 80 CALORIES A DAY


    bwahahahaha!
    Gross. Anything artifical is seriously bad and super icky tasting!

    um. ok. taste is subjective. seriously bad? not so subjective. it is super neutral in that whole cancer-causing department, but hyperbole is so much more fun, right?
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I drink artificial sweeteners all day long, starting with a diet soda with breakfast, then Crystal Light.
  • tsh0ck
    tsh0ck Posts: 1,970 Member
    I drink artificial sweeteners all day long, starting with a diet soda with breakfast, then Crystal Light.

    yeah ... but, well ... look at you. not to be rude or anything, but ......


    hehe.
  • Laurawash30
    Laurawash30 Posts: 6
    I just weighed in a I have lost 9lb since I cut out the diet drinks... I have 15 more pounds to loose but I feel great and found that my workouts have been better since I have been drinking straight water with them...

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