Diet soda

LadyIvysMom
LadyIvysMom Posts: 391 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I drink 1 to 2 cans of diet soda a day, as well as 8+ glasses of water. Everyone tells me that the diet soda is just as bad as regular soda. I personally can't stomach regular soda, it's way too sweet, so I've always just had the diet kind, even as a kid.

So other than the sodium, what exactly is so bad about diet coke? Convince me to cut it from my diet completely.
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Replies

  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    I drink 1 to 2 cans of diet soda a day, as well as 8+ glasses of water. Everyone tells me that the diet soda is just as bad as regular soda. I personally can't stomach regular soda, it's way too sweet, so I've always just had the diet kind, even as a kid.

    So other than the sodium, what exactly is so bad about diet coke? Convince me to cut it from my diet completely.

    In for aspartame alarmism. AAaaaaaaaaaaand GO.
  • witchy_wife
    witchy_wife Posts: 792 Member
    It can rot your teeth. Not through sugar but citric acid which causes the enamel on your teeth to wear away. My dentist said you are better with the regular stuff and limiting it. Or if you really have to drink diet soda drink it through a straw to stop it touching your teeth.
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    panic.gif
  • AbacoRaveness
    AbacoRaveness Posts: 15
    While I would encourage you to stick to a max of one per day (just in case), you won't catch me on the band wagon of anti-diet soda folks.

    My understanding is the biggest complaint against them is the aspartame (artificial sweetener) that they use. But, lots of research has been done on aspartame and, if you stick to reliable sources, the consensus seems to be that its perfectly safe at moderate consumption:
    http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/OtherCarcinogens/AtHome/aspartame
    http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/aspartame.htm
    http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/aspartame-truth-vs-fiction/

    There are claims that aspartame increases hunger, but I haven't seen any research one way or the other on that one.

    I think the other thing that is a major complaint is the acidity. But, I don't think that it's any more acidic than citrus juices, so if you're flushing with plenty of water then I don't see the harm in it... everything in moderation!
  • Will210
    Will210 Posts: 201 Member
    For me I always eat cleaner drinking only water. I always seem to crave the bad foods when drinking diet coke like something salty or even chocolate (go figure). Also I never feel full drinking diet coke compared to water.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    Regular soda makes me feel like I have sweaters on my teeth, so I always go for diet when I have it. The only thing I've read that seems bad about any soda is that it leaches calcium from your bones. My memory sucks, so I can't remember the exact chemical reaction. That was before I learned about peer reviewed studies, so it could be bs. I should look for one. :smile:

    edited for spelling
  • Rubyayn
    Rubyayn Posts: 433 Member
    A quick google inquiry lead to more research on my part, which promptly ended my 10 year love affair with diet coke. I immediatley started losing faster and feel much better than I did before. This filtered into the rest of my diet as well and I now am a clean organic eater. Not to mention I have more money to spend on healthy food! YUM!

    Then again, I went complete tree hugger hippie about a year ago, so take my opinion with that in mind. I now think of diet coke and most packaged foods as the devil, lol.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    A quick google inquiry lead to more research on my part, which promptly ended my 10 year love affair with diet coke.

    Obviously you should do what you feel is best, but the majority of actual research on this topic shows that aside from potential migraines, diet soda is quite safe at anything resembling normal human consumption.
  • nikinonsense
    nikinonsense Posts: 14
    It's the carbonation for me. I can't handle a lot of bubbles in my tummy. BUT I LOVE SODA SO MUCH! I can't drink more than 8oz a day though and I try not to drink it every day.
  • MtnKat
    MtnKat Posts: 714
    OMG!!!

    I'm drinking a diet Mt. Dew RIGHT NOW!!!


    AAAaaaaahhhhhhHHHHHhhh!

    :-)


    I can't convince you that it's bad for you....I like to drink them once and awhile too.
  • severins_obsession
    severins_obsession Posts: 12 Member
    1-2 cans of Diet Coke per day isn't going to kill anybody... For me, it takes the place of sugary snacks in the evenings, which is MUCH WORSE IMO! As with many of the other posters, I can't drink regular cola anymore -- way too sweet! It makes me feel sooooooo bombed-out and depleted!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,419 Member
    Doesn't it have sodium in it?

    Also, I think it's just not...right....somehow....but then, I don't even color my hair, so artificial sweeteners and flavors seem like a waste of money to me.
  • miadhail
    miadhail Posts: 383 Member
    From what I have read, the aspartame in the diet soda makes you crave for more sodas! therefore, calorie surplus and then weight gain.
  • NiSan12
    NiSan12 Posts: 374 Member
    For me I always eat cleaner drinking only water. I always seem to crave the bad foods when drinking diet coke like something salty or even chocolate (go figure). Also I never feel full drinking diet coke compared to water.

    THIS IS TRUE FOR ME TOO
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    Doesn't it have sodium in it?

    Also, I think it's just not...right....somehow....but then, I don't even color my hair, so artificial sweeteners and flavors seem like a waste of money to me.

    If you colored your hair... you'd drink diet soda?
  • kenjancef
    kenjancef Posts: 63 Member
    Diet Pepsi is the ONLY vice I can't kick since I started this back in May. I have maybe 1 or 2 a day, but for some reason I can't not go without it. I know there are worse things to not let go of, and I'm trying.
  • toriaenator
    toriaenator Posts: 423 Member
    trust me i was addicted (3-4 cans or more a day) apparantly the acid wears down your teeth and stomach? idk but i feel better since i stopped :) try fizzy water with some syrup in it (italian soda :D)
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,419 Member
    Doesn't it have sodium in it?

    Also, I think it's just not...right....somehow....but then, I don't even color my hair, so artificial sweeteners and flavors seem like a waste of money to me.

    If you colored your hair... you'd drink diet soda?

    No. I still wouldn't.
  • tdrusk
    tdrusk Posts: 21 Member
    I like diet sodas and find that they satisfy my soda craving. From what I have read, they aren't that bad for you and everything is fine in moderation. I drink at a max 1 per day and appreciate the lack of calories in the soda. It is kind of a best of both worlds.
  • anjoneill
    anjoneill Posts: 98 Member
    They reduce bone density!
  • wsuduce
    wsuduce Posts: 68 Member
    I am on my second of the day... I will probably finish with 4 diet cokes... and I enjoy each one :)
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Diet Pepsi is the ONLY vice I can't kick since I started this back in May. I have maybe 1 or 2 a day, but for some reason I can't not go without it. I know there are worse things to not let go of, and I'm trying.

    For the record, this is the exact reason why I post what I post. I could really care less whether or not someone drinks diet soda, or eats white bread, or grains, or anything else. But the person above me probably has enough things to worry about pertaining to dietary adherence, and clearly enjoys drinking diet soda.

    Keep drinking diet soda, brush your teeth regularly. 1 or 2 per day is completely fine if you're not suffering from migraines that relate directly to aspartame.

    Aspartame is a combination of two amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid. These are found in chicken breast. Methanol is a digestive by-product of Aspartame and it's found in various fruits/fruit juices. All of these components are perfectly tolerable at doses that are far beyond normal human consumption and research confirms this.

    If you have migraines, replace your diet soda with coffee (keep caffiene somewhat constant) and see if it helps. Otherwise, enjoy your diet soda, brush your teeth, and keep losing weight like a boss.
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    I'm a Diet Dr. Pepper fiend, myself. 55 mg. of sodium is no biggie at my usual consumption rate of 1 can a day. I don't have any apparent ill effects from drinking it, and my calcium numbers have always looked good on lab work.
  • lavieboheme1229
    lavieboheme1229 Posts: 448 Member
    I don't really drink soda, but when I do, it's so I don't eat an entire cake. So I pick my battles. As long as you are re hydrating with all that water you are drinking, don't let it scare you. You have to decide to do it for you. Kinda like the whole weight loss thing in general.
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    I also enjoy my diet pop and sugar free energy drinks!! I NEED them - I work 40 hours a week full time job, and 20-30 + at a bar part time.

    AND i love how diet pepsi tastes!!! nom nom nom with fresh lime yes!! Not to menmtion if i want a treat, a diet pepsi satisfies me more that that candy bar would have
  • beccarockslife
    beccarockslife Posts: 816 Member
    They reduce bone density!

    This, they leech your bones apparently.

    There is trace amounts of sodium in them though. I don't get why everyone freaks about the sodium content.
  • melissafaith24
    melissafaith24 Posts: 251 Member
    Doesn't it have sodium in it?

    Also, I think it's just not...right....somehow....but then, I don't even color my hair, so artificial sweeteners and flavors seem like a waste of money to me.

    If you colored your hair... you'd drink diet soda?

    *sits and waits*
  • jstcallmecoco
    jstcallmecoco Posts: 43
    I think the only negative thing about diet soda or any soda is that is not natural, you are drinking acid. But hey, if your daily water intake, who cares. Has it affected your weight loss journey? If not, keep drinking lol. Moderation is key, though.
  • Roderunr
    Roderunr Posts: 65 Member
    Wow - I'm loving the activity on this post (as I sit here drinking my diet Dr. Pepper) LOL Whether you love it or hate it, I can guarantee this "discussion" wont get resolved on a message board! Great input though :wink:

    :drinker:
  • ggcat
    ggcat Posts: 313 Member
    I drink two diets a day (sometimes three!)

    The sodium isn't really that bad....flavored diet waters (like propel zero) have WAY more sodium!

    I think I read somewhere you would have to consume about 28 cans of diet soda a day to really get the negative effects of it. As long as it doesn't give you headaches or any other medical issues, you should be fine :)

    Diet mountain dew will always be a part of my life- I love it!

    I also drink 9-14 cups of water a day as well, so I feel pretty good about my liquids!

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