Drinking soda to Help diet!

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Replies

  • baptiste565
    baptiste565 Posts: 590 Member
    My doctor stated specifically that diet drinks are no-no, going so far as to say if I have to have some soda, to opt for one with real sugar (i.e. imported Coca Cola) because the artificial sweetener will cause an even higher insulin spike than the real thing.

    I don't like them anyhow, so I think the club soda idea is great. Through in some fruit. Totally delicious!

    It doesn't cause an insulin spike because it doesn't contain sugar, Insulin is released when the beta islet cells of the pancreas detect elevated levels of glucose in the blood. No sugar no insulin spike
    thx for refuting this misinformation.
  • NikkiSixGuns
    NikkiSixGuns Posts: 630 Member
    Yes, I do this sometimes! The fizz is great at making me feel sated when extra calories just aren't in my budget, and sometimes when I'm craving something "naughty" the sweetness of the soda helps answer that craving. Water just doesn't cut it.

    People can think what they want, but it works for me.
  • Bentley2718
    Bentley2718 Posts: 1,689 Member
    i used to drink alot of diet coke and it tends to make me crave sweet stuff. when i stopped drinking pop i immediately lost about 20lbs. i used to get heartburn and had bad acid reflux, and that all disappeared shortly after too. so i would be careful if you do take this route because its not a good substitute for good ol' water :) how about crystal light? or snacking on jello or fruit?

    Other than the lack of carbonation (and possibly caffeine, depending on what you drink), how is crystal light different from diet soda? I can see how the lack of carbonation might help with something like acid reflux, but baring that, I really don't see a difference.
  • baptiste565
    baptiste565 Posts: 590 Member
    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! :)
    thx for dispelling the myth that diet sodas r high in sodium


    Okay, I'm not sure what you drink, but Diet Coke has 30mg of sodium per 8oz serving, Diet Pepsi has 25mg per serving, and a few other diet sodas I checked where in the same range. That's less sodium than celery and most microwave popcorn.
  • KrazyAsianNic
    KrazyAsianNic Posts: 1,227 Member
    I believe you should do whatever you feel is right. I really don't know what to say about the soda except that I too enjoy the bubbly part of it now and then. Majority of the day I drink water. Now and then I like to add a little ice tea/lemonade flavor to it. That may be healthier than soda. If you do drink the soda, stick with regular. Diet has too much junk that is just worse for your health then regular soda.

    However, I know a lot about comfort eating. To get out of comfort/emotional eating, I try to only stock healthier options in my apartment. I have been getting back into hobbies to help keep me distracted. Journaling has been a major help to not only controling my comfort/emotional eating, but also my depression. Just write through your thoughts and see where it leads you.
  • 02tods
    02tods Posts: 126 Member
    Bump for later. Good thread!
  • anacsitham5
    anacsitham5 Posts: 810 Member
    My daughter loves diet pepsi. She gave it up for lent this spring. Without changing anything else, she lost 6 pounds. Needless to say, she doesn't drink pop/soda at all anymore. I try to stay away from it if at all possible.
  • That_Girl
    That_Girl Posts: 1,324 Member
    Diet soda is poison. The chemical shetstorm that is going on in a diet soda is SO BAD for our bodies.

    Drink water.
  • trojanbb
    trojanbb Posts: 1,297 Member
    It's fine. I do this every time I diet. Some people bloat from artificial sweeteners though.

    But I'm sure the health food nuts will freak out. Even though the clinical evidence showing diet soda is harmful is next to nill and barely statistically significant.
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    To those of you who claim that the sweetener in diet soda spikes your insulin


    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21245879
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19221011
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20303371
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21255472
  • SassyCalyGirl
    SassyCalyGirl Posts: 1,932 Member
    soda=crap

    don't do it!
  • positivepineapple
    positivepineapple Posts: 87 Member
    I eat a pickle or two when I really want something satisfying and low cal.

    They have a ton of sodium which may cause some water retention but it won't be fat and won't stall your fat loss.
  • baptiste565
    baptiste565 Posts: 590 Member
    its important to remember that america has a sugar problem not a aspartame problem.
  • samiam321123
    samiam321123 Posts: 38 Member
    I don't see anything wrong with that and have done that before as well. But if you don't like the taste I would recommend making vanilla chai tea and then adding 2oz of almond milk. It makes it only ten calories and makes the tea creamy for a more full feeling. Or if you have 55 calories to spare lately I’ve been taking a cup of almond milk, adding no sugar added chocolate mix, and another cup of ice and mixing it in the bullet blender for a milkshake like treat.
  • AdelaDi
    AdelaDi Posts: 25 Member
    Wow, I see that you guys have already posted a lot of interesting ideas and suggestions on this topic :)

    I just wanted to add a link to this cool video, where it's explained why exactly soda (all types, both sugary and diet) is just plain bad for you: http://onemansblog.com/2009/12/26/diet-coke-makes-you-fat-so-dont-drink-it/

    In this same post, there's also a link to this study that I found a while ago, and I thought it's really interesting. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18298259) They gave some rats regular soda and some other rats diet soda, and the diet soda rats gained weight. They say that the brain doesn't know what to expect when it gets sweet stuff without the calories. Now, that's not what I want happening when I'm trying to lose weight.... :)

    I'm sure there are a lot of bad things out in this world and soda won't be the worst, but it's good to keep in mind that it's *not* a healthy option and there a lot of better options out there.
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    Wow, I see that you guys have already posted a lot of interesting ideas and suggestions on this topic :)

    I just wanted to add a link to this cool video, where it's explained why exactly soda (all types, both sugary and diet) is just plain bad for you: http://onemansblog.com/2009/12/26/diet-coke-makes-you-fat-so-dont-drink-it/

    In this same post, there's also a link to this study that I found a while ago, and I thought it's really interesting. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18298259) They gave some rats regular soda and some other rats diet soda, and the diet soda rats gained weight. They say that the brain doesn't know what to expect when it gets sweet stuff without the calories. Now, that's not what I want happening when I'm trying to lose weight.... :)

    I'm sure there are a lot of bad things out in this world and soda won't be the worst, but it's good to keep in mind that it's *not* a healthy option and there a lot of better options out there.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21245879
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19221011
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20303371
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21255472
  • malicent
    malicent Posts: 127
    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 :)

    *British accent* I'm craving something naughty too. ;] So dirty, so dirty dirty dirty... -shakes head-
  • KeriW626
    KeriW626 Posts: 430
    I drank reg soda, then to diet, and NO loss, Zip Zero Ziltch. I would and do snack. However, i find I enjoy things such as raw zucchini, or celery with peanut butter, or an apple. I try to eat clean. So maybe try that. An example: a medium zucchini (green) = 34 ish calories. So I shoot for that. Good luck.
  • BrownEyedGrrl
    BrownEyedGrrl Posts: 144 Member
    A couple servings of diet soda a month probably won't hurt you, but I wouldn't drink it every day. Those artificial sweeteners make me feel horrible and who knows what they do to your body. Also the phosphoric or citric acid in soda causes osteoporosis. Read this: http://turningpointacupuncture.wordpress.com/2011/03/03/why-regular-soft-drinks-and-diet-sodas-are-not-your-friend-scottsdale-acupuncture-specialist/
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    I drink about 1 Diet Dr. Pepper a day, and I have lost 54 pounds since mid-January.
  • jazzalea
    jazzalea Posts: 412 Member
    first I LOVE my diet coke and I ain't giving it up for nobody :tongue:

    but to fill my tummy and to soothe a craving I find tea works better than anything else for me... it takes a few minutes to make it... so it distracts me at the same time I know something is coming... and then I have to wait for it to cool down so I can't just gulp it and it fills me with a nice warm SOMETHING in there when I finally get through it....by then I've stopped the cravings and I'm ok again :)

    but that's just me :)


    oh yeah that and I always keep sugar free jello with whipped cream at the ready just in case
    :flowerforyou:
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    I have never been a soda drinker, but since I started logging and changing my eating habits, I have used diet soda to help me. It's great! I don't see anything wrong with doing that.
    Whenever possible, there are a couple other drinks, lo-cal, lo-carb, and actually very healthful..GT Dave's Kombucha or Synergy, and also Cas Cal sodas. There is something about warmer weather and sodas....
  • emnk5308
    emnk5308 Posts: 736
    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 this =) Unless you've got that sweet tooth.. then the soda would help.. but water is still a much better choice IMO
    :smile:
  • fattypattybinger
    fattypattybinger Posts: 337
    Sadly to say I drink too much Diet Coke but my intake had decreased and I am drinking water but need to drink more. I know some people love their coffee me it is Diet Coke. I can say I do drink tea in the morning instead of Diet Coke. I now at night might drink water or herbal teal. I know I will still drink it but the quantity will be less. I am working on it.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • ismiseciara
    ismiseciara Posts: 211 Member
    id have a coke zero now and again , (maybe 1-2 times a week) and this is me cut down! what i have started doing is when drinking water id add a lil sugar free fruit squash to it 4-8cals for a 250ml serving -depending on the brand , or if i want something sparkling id have a sparkling flavoured water tesso do some nice ones :) I dont know if they would be better than diet drinks , but i enjoy them :)
  • gabriellejayde
    gabriellejayde Posts: 607 Member
    Just before I started MFP, my husband got me a sodastream (make your own soda). I laughed because I never drink soda, but I figured i'd make carbonated flavored water...
    well now I"m addicted to selzer. I drink a TON of it and I'l either add a splash of lemon or a wedge of lemon or lime, crushed ice and a straw. I LOVE it and it keeps me full.
  • SuffolkSally
    SuffolkSally Posts: 964 Member
    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:

    I expect others have said it - I haven't read the whole thread.

    Great that you've identified an emotional eating trigger, and that you're looking for ways to cope with it!

    One idea is to save some calories for a snack, knowing that you're going to want it - I often allow for some evening chocolate, for this reason. Or in drink form, hot water with lemon, mint tea (especially made fresh), or carbonated water might help.
  • ladybrandy
    ladybrandy Posts: 30 Member
    Diet soda may be 0 calories but it really isn't that good for you, especially because of the aspartame. Instead of 0 calories, think of eating some low cal fruits or veggies to help fill you up, or low cal popcorn, or drink lots of water.
  • Canderson58054
    Canderson58054 Posts: 132 Member
    I used to be a soda drinker and I slowly cut that out now. You could always try Propel. Its flavored water but doesnt have the artificial sweetners that are bad for you in it. It's realitively cheap and you can find it at your local walmart or Sam's club, so you can find it just about anywhere! I have an easy receipe for sorbet.
    2 cups Frozen fruit ( i use raspberries alot)
    3 Tbsp Apple juice or OJ
    1/2 tsp cinnamon or pure vanilla extract (optional)
    Place the ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the container as neccessary. Add extra juice if needed. Makes 4 servings AND the best part?
    per serving- 35 cal, 1g protein, 9g carbs (3g sugar), no fat, 4g fiber and 1 mg sodium.
    ** Nutritional info will change depending on the fruit you use. WIth frozen fruit be sure to watch if there is any added sugar, etc :)
  • sarahkatara
    sarahkatara Posts: 826 Member
    I'm not sure if anyone else suggested this as I didn't have time to read through all the pages but you might try flavored carbonated water. It's amazing! Walmart has a brand called Sam's Choice and it comes in a wide variety of flavors. No calories, caffeine, sugar, and I think it's also sodium-free but I'm not certain. What I would caution you with when drinking carbonated beverages is that the carbonation can cause water retention. Many years ago I was a SERIOUS diet soda drinker. After deciding to give it up I dropped 5 pounds of water weight in about 1-2 weeks. I don't think this is your case, but just one word of warning! The fizzy water is great though, especially the peach flavor. Good luck! :drinker:

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