Diet Drinks

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Replies

  • sammniamii
    sammniamii Posts: 669 Member
    I drink diet drinks, but I have to stay w/ the ones with Splenda as Aspartame gives me migraines.

    Only issue I get, sometimes I get more thirsty after drinking them, so I like to drink them w/ water :)
  • JAGWIRE13579
    JAGWIRE13579 Posts: 63
    I am surprised by the adamant opinions of some people. Even though a ton of research has been done on the artificial sweeteners there is no way anyone can say they are 100% safe in every way. Most of the double blind studies have been to evaluate the safety related to things like cancer and body systems (kidney failure, heart disease) It is much more difficult to evaluate the long term effects on things like metabolism in humans. I would say nothing is 100% safe in limitless amounts. Even water can kill you if you drink enough of it. Personally I avoid diet soda now. I had been drinking it for almost 30 years. I found for myself it made me crave sweets more not less. I mostly drink green tea with a measured teaspoon of sugar and lemon. At my size, 15 calories is not going to have a significant impact on my calorie counts, even if I drink 3 or 4 glasses. I would not listen to anyone who said they know for FACT something is 100% safe because they've read some articles on the subject on-line.
  • SeahawkDriver
    SeahawkDriver Posts: 2
    artificial sweeteners are not fine. The FDA's own scientists were SHOCKED that asparthame was ever approved. But the FDA has long been in bed with BIG FOOD. And you may have noticed these substances are BANNED in most modern countries and the commercials for SUCRALOSE (SPLENDA) regarding how close it is to real sugar have been removed from the airwaves. Sucralose is a science project and is closer to rat poison than sugar.
  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    artificial sweeteners are not fine. The FDA's own scientists were SHOCKED that asparthame was ever approved. But the FDA has long been in bed with BIG FOOD. And you may have noticed these substances are BANNED in most modern countries and the commercials for SUCRALOSE (SPLENDA) regarding how close it is to real sugar have been removed from the airwaves. Sucralose is a science project and is closer to rat poison than sugar.

    Go back and do some credible research, have a great day.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,021 Member
    Stevia is a natural sweetener and one I like to use in my iced tea. You still get the sweet taste without the bad effects of aspartame or regular sugar.
    What bad effects from aspartame are you speaking of?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
    Personally, I stay away from diet drinks! The aspartame in them messes with your metabolism...

    Say whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! I didn't know that. #fail

    Since my grandmother has diabetes, for YEARS we've made the switch to sugar substitues. :noway:

    What do you recommend then? I hate unsweetened things.

    Aspartame does not mess with your metabolism. Don't listen to all those freaking out saying how sweeteners are so bad for you and will kill you. They cause headaches in some people, not everyone.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,021 Member
    Yes, I have to agree that too much DIET drinks is never a good thing and leads to weight gain.
    Weight gain comes from over consumption of calories. 0 calorie drinks aren't responsible for that.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    There are so many worse things that you can worry about.

    Did you know that the standard of safety for swimming on American beaches is that no more than 1 in 20** people get sick from the bacteria in the water?

    Why are we creating imaginary villains from things like sweeteners that have been around for many many years with no evidence of anyone getting sick from them?

    (I'm not 100% positive on the number but its close to 1/20)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,021 Member
    This is what MY personal trainer told me, so that is why I stay away and it helps me.
    Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like your personal trainer is well versed in nutrition, endocrinology or metabolism if that's the advice given.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Faery_Dust
    Faery_Dust Posts: 246 Member
    Yes, I have to agree that too much DIET drinks is never a good thing and leads to weight gain.
    Weight gain comes from over consumption of calories. 0 calorie drinks aren't responsible for that.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    Damn it..... 2 cans a day.... no wonder I am fat! :sad:
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,021 Member
    go with stevia as a sweetener , it's plant based.. chemical sweeteners are terrible for you..Most people don't realize that half the problem with the american food system and peoples health in general is all the chemical s*** they put in our foods.Most of these chemicals were at one point hailed as break throughs in food system and health technology,, but now, many decades later people are having health issues in amounts that we have never seen before. If you can't pronounce it and you don't know what it is try to avoid it..
    Well first off EVERYTHING in the universe is chemically bonded. "Chemical" sweetners aren't terrible for the general population. Where are the "poisoned" dead bodies from it?
    The problem with obesity and weight in America is OVER CONSUMPTION.
    And I'm sure you'd be challenged to pronounce or know any of these "chemicals":

    Alpha-Linolenic-Acid, Asparagine, D-Categin, Isoqurctrin, Hyperoside, Ferulic-Acid, Farnesene, Neoxathin, Phosphatidyl-Choline, Reynoutrin, Sinapic-Acid, Caffeic-Acid, Chlorogenic-Acid, P-Hydroxy-Benzoic-Acid, P-Coumaric-Acid, Avicularin, Lutein, Quercitin, Rutin, Ursolic-Acid, Protocatechuic-Acid, and Silver.

    Yes that's the "chemical" composition of an apple.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • pcain123
    pcain123 Posts: 11 Member
    Hmmm-- started drinking Tab in the 70's. I regularly drink diet coke (2 cans a day). Sometimes I drink a Dr Pepper 10 or a Canadra Dry 10. I love the Mio drops for water especially the tea and lemonade together. I also drink the Crystal Light Raspberry Ice quite a bit. I make my own brewed tea and sweeten it with Splenda. I like Truvia in my coffee and lattes. I like to add lemon to my water and sweeten with Sweet and Low. I have Stevia drops for DH but I think that has a slightly bitter aftertaste--however, he loves it in everything.
    I do drink plain water that I keep in my fridge, but am more likely to add drops, crystal light or flavored teas. I do like TAZO flavored Teas.
  • YogaNikki
    YogaNikki Posts: 284 Member
    I personally stray away since I had a slight addiction to Diet Coke. I ditched the Diet Coke and dropped ten pounds, BUT I'm not about to say that is why the pounds fell off. There were other things that I changed in my diet, so I will not be so bold to make that claim.

    I DO indulge in Vitamin Water Zero when I crave juice. I have always wondered how 'good' or 'bad' that may be....thoughts are welcomed :-)


    I am a juice *kitten*. I understand your penchant for juice...it is too good!

    It IS!!! I think, for me, it's the sugars that really draw me in... :happy:
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,021 Member
    artificial sweeteners are not fine. The FDA's own scientists were SHOCKED that asparthame was ever approved. But the FDA has long been in bed with BIG FOOD. And you may have noticed these substances are BANNED in most modern countries and the commercials for SUCRALOSE (SPLENDA) regarding how close it is to real sugar have been removed from the airwaves. Sucralose is a science project and is closer to rat poison than sugar.
    And of course all the medical journals and universities who've done peer reviewed studies on them are in bed with big food too?:laugh:

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • melindafritz1976
    melindafritz1976 Posts: 329 Member
    the fake sugar is bad!!!!!!!!!!!
  • m13a
    m13a Posts: 41 Member
    For those of you who think diet drinks are perfectly fine because they're low calorie or that they don't mess with your metabolism (as in, they don't stop you from losing weight) ... that might not be the point.

    Please listen to this recently aired radio segment:

    http://www.npr.org/2013/07/12/201461166/not-so-sweet-side-effects-of-artificial-sweeteners

    The researcher here says studies show that even relatively little consumption (once or twice a week) led to a significant increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke - the interview gets more into the "why." As someone with a family history of type 2 diabetes, this is a huge deal to me.

    I understand there is a lot of information out there but it makes sense to look at studies such as these. There might still be the possibility that artificial sweeteners are ok for you, however, there continues to be much argument over that. I'm choosing to err on the side of caution. There's more to good health than achieving the right weight and the less sugar I use, the more my taste buds become accustomed to that amount of sweetness. From everything I've read, I'd say the biggest problem seems to be our reliance on sugary drinks. Best to avoid them and only indulge sparingly.
  • PhoenixEve
    PhoenixEve Posts: 131 Member
    I like Zevia. It's sweetened with stevia, and considered a 'health supplement' because it has added vitamin C here in Canada. (American version does not have the vit C).

    Stevia can help lower blood pressure, doesn't harm blood sugar levels, it's anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial (good for preventing cavities and gingivitis!) and helps with calcium formation (yay for soda that gives you stronger teeth!)

    I figure if i'm gonna drink something with 0 calories, doesn't hurt to drink the one that also has some health benefits as well. :)

    I prefer the taste of Zevia to aspartame/splenda sweetened diet drinks too... but that's just personal preference because many people disagree. Cream Soda, Ginger Root Beer, Black Cherry, and Cola are my favs. :)
  • SeahawkDriver
    SeahawkDriver Posts: 2
    And of course all the medical journals and universities who've done peer reviewed studies on them are in bed with big food too?

    ALL? I have no idea. But you have to be incredibly naive to think that most of them are not. Where do you think they get their research dollars? Anonymous donors? That money comes from BIG PHARMA and/or BIG FOOD. And regardless of what is discovered, those organizations aren't going to bite the hands that feed them.

    Here is a good starting point for scientific and PEER REVIEWED research regarding the dangers of artificial sweeteners--from people who do this for a living, not your personal trainer who read something in a fitness magazine or took a couple of nutrition classes:

    http://dorway.com/

    http://rense.com/general35/evid.htm

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