Drinking soda to Help diet!

CADreaming09

First, let me start by saying that as of right now, I don't drink soda very often. I probably drink soda about 1-3 times a month.

However, I had a thought this morning.

My worst eating time of day is at night and I was trying to think of something with 0 calories that woud get me full. And I couldn't think of anything else beside diet soda.

I wouldn't drink it every night, but a few times a week, until I get better at night snacking. It is worse when my fiance works nights and I'm alone, I eat to comfort myself.

I was hoping to hear some opinions on this, I know that some of you will probably be mean, but I just ignore those people.

Has anyone added soda to their diet and had it help them succeed???

Thanks :flowerforyou:

ninakir88

Not me, I assume someone who has been drinking regular soda and switched to diet probably got weight benefits from it.

AuntieKT

I also don't have it very often, but when I do have it, it is because I am craving something naughty and I just have it to make myself feel like I am having a treat. I say if its helping and you are only doing it every once in a while, its probably ok

buzzcockgirl

If you're going to drink something with 0 calories to get full, why not just make it water? I mean, same idea-- liquids filling your tummy so you feel full. But a WAAAY better choice. Even though diet soda has zero calories, it has all that other crap in it- like aspartame and other artificial sweeteners/colors/ etc.

If you're going to drink to get full- make it WATER. It will help in your weight loss for sure! Keep everything inside you all lubed up and moving! Good luck!!!

kmbrooks15

The only thing I would caution you about with that is that soda has a lot of sodium in it and might make you retain water weight.

Can you reserve some calories from your day for a late-night smoothie? I use almond milk and some frozen fruit (Jamba brand smoothie mixes are nice, too...they're really just frozen fruit, but the strawberry-peach-mango is SO GOOD).

You could also try 100-calorie popcorn bags or veggies such as carrot sticks, celery, etc.

Whatever you decide...good luck!

jenlarz

I do drink diet soda sometimes, but I don't think it would work well for a filler. The zero calorie is nice but you would probably be better off eating something low calorie (fruit, yogurt, veggies). It will stick with you longer. Also for some people the dt soda can lead to a sweet craving. If that would happen to you, you may end up eating a sugary snack anyway.

Brandi1168

When I was doing WW forever ago, I would drink diet cherry Dr. Pepper to satisfy my sweet tooth. It did help somewhat. I couldn't have it at night though, I would never get to sleep. Sugar free jello and light or FF cool whip was my other go-to. It wasn't zero calories, but it was low. Nowadays, I eat grapes after dinner or save some calories if I know I'm going to have something sweet.

secretlobster

I say this a lot on the forums. But switching from soda (including diet) to seltzer/water was one of the best life changes I ever made.

The seltzer is a good balance because it doesn't contain artificial sweeteners but it still has flavor.

ggcat

If you're going to drink something with 0 calories to get full, why not just make it water? I mean, same idea-- liquids filling your tummy so you feel full. But a WAAAY better choice. Even though diet soda has zero calories, it has all that other crap in it- like aspartame and other artificial sweeteners/colors/ etc.

If you're going to drink to get full- make it WATER. It will help in your weight loss for sure! Keep everything inside you all lubed up and moving! Good luck!!!

I agree with the water- that's what I do. But with that being said- I also drink diet soda. I drink about 2 a day....they are filling and the nasty things in them won't hurt you as long as you are not drinking 30 cans a day!

Everyone is effected differently by the things you put in your body. All you can do is give it a shot. I don't see how drinking a diet soda is going to hurt you- if you drank that instead of the chocolate cake in your fridge! :laugh:

Good luck to you!

campi_mama

I like a cup of tea in the evening Same idea as the soda without the artificial stuff. Do what you feel comfortable with though. Everybody has their own things that work for them....

ultrahush

I agree completely!

Edit - Oops, didn't have the post I was replying to. I meant about the seltzer water!!

sportybrewerschick

YES! thats me totally!!

First, let me start by saying that as of right now, I don't drink soda very often. I probably drink soda about 1-3 times a month.

However, I had a thought this morning.

My worst eating time of day is at night and I was trying to think of something with 0 calories that woud get me full. And I couldn't think of anything else beside diet soda.

I wouldn't drink it every night, but a few times a week, until I get better at night snacking. It is worse when my fiance works nights and I'm alone, I eat to comfort myself.

I was hoping to hear some opinions on this, I know that some of you will probably be mean, but I just ignore those people.

Has anyone added soda to their diet and had it help them succeed???

Thanks :flowerforyou:

Zainia

I've never drank soda so I know it wouldn't help me. I'd warn you to be careful getting calories with any drink and even though diet soda has no or low calories, the manufacture is using chemicals and artificial sweetners. I would suggest drinking seltzer with some squeezed lemon/lime/orange if you really want a bubbly drink.

The following is from wiki if you are interested:
Many consumers are concerned about possible health effects of sugar substitutes and caffeine overuse.[3][4] The effectiveness of diet soda as a weight loss tool has also been called into question.
Changing the food energy intake from one food will not necessarily change a person's overall food energy intake or cause a person to lose weight. One study[5] at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, reported by Sharon Fowler at the ADA annual meeting, actually suggested the opposite, where consumption of diet soda correlated with weight gain. While Fowler did suggest that the undelivered expected calories from diet soda may stimulate the appetite, the correlation does not prove that consumption of diet soda caused the weight gain. The ADA has yet to issue an updated policy concerning diet soda.

In an independent study by researchers with the Framingham Heart Study in Massachusetts, soda consumption correlated with increased incidence of metabolic syndrome. Of the 9,000 males and females studied, soda drinkers were at 48% higher risk for metabolic syndrome, which involves weight gain and elevated blood sugar. No significant difference in these findings was observed between sugary sodas and diet drinks. The researchers noted that diet soda drinkers were less likely to consume healthy foods, and that drinking diet soda flavored with artificial sweeteners more than likely increases cravings for sugar-flavored sweets.[6]

A preliminary abstract presented by the University of Miami's Hannah Gardener linked daily consumption of diet soda to a 61% higher incidence of "vascular events" such as strokes and heart attacks, although Gardener acknowledged that these results could not be conclusively linked to harmful effects of diet soda itself, and may be the result of other behaviors.[7] The author stated that confirmation was required prior to drawing conclusions. These studies were published as abstracts and presented at a conference. These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.[8]

Among individuals who drink several regular sodas per day, diet soda may be a better choice, according to a website on dieting.[9] Studies have also indicated that body mass gain is an unlikely consequence of artificial sweetener consumption.[10][11]
Studies in cattle and rats suggest that artificial sweeteners cause body weight gain, theoretically because of a faulty insulin response. Rats given sweeteners have steadily increased caloric intake, increased body weight, and increased adiposity (fatness).[12] Adding saccharin to the food of calves increases their body weight as well.[13]

A study of almost 60,000 pregnant Danish women found that preterm birth was more common in women who drank diet soda than in those who drank sugar-sweetened soda. The study was not designed to establish a cause and effect relationship.[14][15]

elainecroft

I used to drink a lot of diet soda (and still do drink a moderate amount) for a similar reason because it helps take away the snacking craving. So I would say try it and see if it works - you can always experiment for a few weeks and see if it helps.

BTW I was finally able to switch about half of my soda habit to seltzer water - apparently, I just like drinking things out of a can.

pinkyleigh83

No. I cut out soda, diet or otherwise a long time ago. I know people that cut all soda out, diet included, and lost weight.

I'd try tea, not a diet soda. It's full of crap. There are quite a lot of tea options that could help curb your sweet tooth & you'd be getting some water in too.

ajohn252

I crave diet pop more than I crave any sweets
or unhealthy food, so if it takes a zero calorie drink
to get me through my cravings I'm more than okay with
that! I figure its better than eating some greasy fatty
snack or something sugary.

UncleRiotous

A lot of the current research on diet shows that sugar (rather than fat) is the big problem with weight gain largely because it spikes your insulin levels and that makes you feel hungry which sets up a vicious spiral where you eat something sweet and end up craving more sweet stuff. I don't think anyone has done a serious study into whether sweeteners do the same thing to your insulin level but there is a good chance that they do and if so then there is a chance that trying to satisfy that hunger with foods that contain sweetener will make it more difficult for you not to eat.

On a personal level I've found that a couple of times when I've had a diet soda (other than at dinner times) I end up wanting to snack but that's hardly scientific and it might simply be coincidence.

djc315

I agree with seltzer water. I'm going to assume you thought soda because of the bubbles, therefore giving you a full feeling faster compared to water. I would say seltzer water and flavor it yourself. You could add lemon, lime, or any citrus, or berries. Apples and cinnamon (real cinnamon stick not powder) would be good too. I do this with regular water to change things up a bit. You are adding calories adding fruits but not much.

DonniesGirl69

I get a product called Izze Fortified. It's fruit juice with just a little sparkling water and no added sugar. It's like having a soda or a sweet treat, it's not zero calories, but it's not a lot......90 I think for the Clementine Orange. I just reserve some calories when I know I'm going to have it in the house.

hellohappylisa

Yeah, chemicals are a great way to curb food cravings...what?? Eat some grapes or a banana!

elainecroft

Also, this is not for everyone, but I've also found that a very light beer (i.e. Miller 64) can make me feel relaxed in the evening and like I am 'treating' myself without as many calories as other snacks.

jlapey

Personally, I am not of a fan of diet soda. Aside from the awful aftertaste, I'm not a fan of ingesting artificial sweeteners. I gave sodas years ago.

That being said, I recently stumbled upon LeCroix. It's carbonated like soda, but has no sweeteners AT ALL and come in various fruit flavors. 0 calories. My favorites are grapefruit and lime. Other than that, I drink water with lemon. Sometimes I use sparkling water.

MorganLeighRN

Why would you want to put those chemicals into your body? Why not drink water or even club soda with a little bit of juice in it?

MeMyCatsandI

I don't think you're going to get the benefits you're looking for by adding diet soda. I'm certianly not against diet soda, but if you don't currently drink it, why add it? Sometimes I'll have a cup of tea at night (I add sugar substitue because I like it on the sweeter side). The tea helps me kill sugar cravings and keeps my mouth and tummy busy for a while.

LorinaLynn

I budget my calories so I have about 150 left at the end of the day for a glass of lowfat chocolate milk. Filling, tasty and it has some nutritional benefits.

I'm not opposed to diet soda in the least, even though I drink mostly water, but soda in the evening doesn't sound so great. It makes you burpy and gassy, and if it's caffeinated, it could disrupt your sleep.

shining_light

Pertaining to sweeteners, apparently Stevia has lowered blood sugar levels in diabetics in studies thus far. I don't like jumping on the bandwagon for things like that, however, because I always feel like in a few months these new miracle discoveries are always found to have some effect on my body that could be potentially dangerous. Lol. I'm a bit paranoid, I suppose.

I love tea. Peppermint has been known for a very long time to curb appetite(and all hot liquids seem to have this effect on me somewhat). I do drink diet pop, but as a rule I'm usually drinking it with vodka. I stuff my face when I'm drinking, though, because my body doesn't handle the sugar spike from the alcohol well.

Anyway, I think I should try seltzer water too. Sounds like a great idea to me.

gatorginger

I have cut back on soda but I do however tend to drink more of them on the weekends and yes because they are 0 calories. I don't see any harm in doing that if it helps you get through the snack hurdle. I however eat my main meal at noon and the rest of my calories are for snacking in the evening, maybe you could do that instead but if not I see no harm in it.

magj0y

have you tried warm herbal tea? Something warm , anything warm, typically fills you up faster. Also, if you allow for some calories later at that time of the day, there are several low fat snack you can do. I suggest hot, high protein with a bit of carbs.
think 2 scrambled eggs with cheese, and a slice of toast.
**approx 300 cals

BooSayKy

For me its water all the way. But if you want to have Diet soda before bed I would have Caffeine free. So I could get to sleep.

ahamm002

Drinking something super sweet w/ zero calories (i.e. diet soda) might seem to help initially, but in the long run it will probably make your cravings for snacking worse. Epidemiology links diet soda very strongly to obesity. That doesn't prove causation of course, but it certainly makes diet soda a strange choice if your goal is to lose weight.

Instead of drinking something that is probably bad for you (and at the very best is just neutral), why not drink something that we know is good for you? There are tons of caffeine free types of tea available! Drink that instead to get all the health benefits and curb your cravings. Also, going to bed hungry is a great way to lose weight! If you're hungry when you go to bed, that means you probably succeeded on your diet that day, congrats!

KatieKatB

I do drink diet soda sometimes to keep me full and it must work becasue i'm almost to weight goal.