Confused about diet soda (coke, pepsi etc)

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Replies

  • KentWhiteRabbit
    KentWhiteRabbit Posts: 92 Member
    Moderation is the key!

    I would say that drinking 2 litres of any one drink a day was too much (except maybe water). It's the same as eating vast amounts of one thing.

    Personally, I avoid artificial chemicals in food and drink as much I can. I like to give my body fuel and nutrients as the main intake and 'junk' in my case alcohol and cake as a treat.

    I have found also that when I eat sweet things, for the next few days I crave sweet and I'm more likely to struggle keeping within calories.

    Honestly, I believe that if you gradually cut down your intake (of either sugar laden or artificially sweet goods) you will notice the change in your palette/cravings and your diet will naturally return to a more balanced and healthy one.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Just start cutting back a little until you get to 50% of what you are drinking now. (Do not cut back too quickly because your body might need to taper off the caffeine.)
  • bluepanda512
    bluepanda512 Posts: 64 Member
    Thanks a ton for the awesome post jesstressfit,Its so clearly put forth :flowerforyou:
  • prattiger65
    prattiger65 Posts: 1,657 Member
    The derp is strong in this one.
  • fatfudgery
    fatfudgery Posts: 449 Member
    No no no...you meant diet mt dew is better than diet coke!

    Do you also murder kittens?
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    Why don't people ref comic books. Is that just too obvious?
  • a_stronger_me13
    a_stronger_me13 Posts: 812 Member
    Or read this:

    www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/what.../one-more-reason-to-drop-diet-sodas


    Everyone read this thread http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1308408-why-aspartame-isn-t-scary before spreading anymore FUD

    FIFY

    http://www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/what-to-drink/one-more-reason-to-drop-diet-sodas

    I love this line from this ridiculous article:

    "Though the evidence is still far from conclusive, it's probably a good idea to stay away from sodas and their non-caloric counterparts altogether"

    Because nothing makes more sense than acting fast on inconclusive evidence.

    The claim of the article is that a study, which they never cite so I cannot actually read said study, states that carbonation results in the brain not registreing that something is as "sweet" as it actually is and therefore you end up craving sweet things. That makes so little sense I'm assuming its just another instance of a blog writer horribly misunderstanding and misrepresenting the findings of a study then not bothering to actually cite said study allowing the reader to see for themselves.

    If they are suggesting I cut out my zero cal energy drinks along with diet soda, well they can stick it where the sun don't shine.
  • bevmcarthur
    bevmcarthur Posts: 341 Member
    Try adding pieces of fruit to your water and chill. Strawberries, oranges, lemon, cucumber,lime or mint are all yummy.
    Kombucha is natural, low calorie, fizzy and has probiotics!
    Do you make your own Kombucha
  • AngeliqueAcee
    AngeliqueAcee Posts: 59 Member
    I'd say 2 litres of the stuff is quite alot, but the way I see it is that there are close to no calories in it = good to go!

    I drink about 0-3 cans a day of coke zero (330 ml) and I'm still losing. Whether it is good for you or not I have no idea, and it seems noone can agree on one opinion.

    I'd say, cut down a little bit and see if that has an effect on you :) I'd never cut it out of my diet, can't think of anything better than a freezing cold coke on a boiling hot day
  • nucreeman
    nucreeman Posts: 40
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1308408-why-aspartame-isn-t-scary

    I have yet to see a science-based argument against diet sodas.
    Exactly! Because it doesn't exist.
  • Ludka13
    Ludka13 Posts: 136 Member
    Diet Pepsi is much better than Diet Coke

    Diet Pepsi tastes better than Diet Coke, BUT, Pepsi has a lot more of the carcinogenic coloring 4-MeI than Coke does. I limit my diet soda consumption to 1 can a day, as a treat.

    http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/01/caramel-color-the-health-risk-that-may-be-in-your-soda/index.htm
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1308408-why-aspartame-isn-t-scary

    I have yet to see a science-based argument against diet sodas.

    This

    Quoting for emphasis.
  • nmncare
    nmncare Posts: 168 Member
    Diet Pepsi is much better than Diet Coke
    No no no...you meant diet mt dew is better than diet coke!

    More like Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry is better than all of those!

    About time someone brought Dr Pepper into this. It almost took a whole page!
  • gramarye
    gramarye Posts: 586 Member
    Diet Pepsi is much better than Diet Coke
    No no no...you meant diet mt dew is better than diet coke!

    Guys, it's Diet Dr. Pepper. Argument ended, everyone go home.
  • serindipte
    serindipte Posts: 1,557 Member
    I used to drink Dt DP all day long but I finally realized that it was why I wasn't sleeping well. Something had to give so I did cut back. Oh, not because of the "diet" part or the "oh noz, chemicals", but the caffeine was affecting me so.. I drink Dt DP in the morning, Sprite Zero in the afternoon and evening and I'm good to go.

    I'm more likely to avoid dihydrogen monoxide. Have you read the research on that one?

    http://www.dhmo.org/facts.html
  • RacerX_14
    RacerX_14 Posts: 578 Member
    Sorry to say this but there is nothing diet about diet soda!!! Try to ween yourself off and get more water intake. Your body will thank you!! Good luck!! You can do it!!
  • theserpah
    theserpah Posts: 109 Member
    If you're serious about your health, you need to stop drinking it. It's not helping you in any way. It, in an of itself, may contain zero calories but you don't know what signals it's telling the rest of your system. For me, I find diet pop leaves me hungry, almost like it's a tease.
  • Nathanmmx
    Nathanmmx Posts: 43 Member
    I drink pepsi max, and coke zero, a few times a week, simply to take a break from the water i drink and to get something tastier that also had minimal calories. My cravings only spiral when i start eating bad foods, not from the soda. Sure it may be bad, and even deadly, but somethings gonna kill us, might as well enjoy life on the journey,
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
    Everyone read this thread http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1308408-why-aspartame-isn-t-scary before spreading anymore FUD

    That's why the FDA has the Aspartame toxicity file made public when it appeared on the docket to be heard and listed as a neuro-toxin.

    http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dailys/03/jan03/012203/02p-0317_emc-000199.txt
  • Velum_cado
    Velum_cado Posts: 1,608 Member
    I don't have any prejudices against diet soda. I actually prefer the taste to regular because I find the regular too syrupy sweet. I only drink 2-3 a month, so I'm not having loads of it, anyway. 2 litres a day sounds a bit extreme, just in regards to the amount of caffeine and also the potential damage from the acid on your teeth. My advice would be to cut back on the diet soda, just for those reasons.
  • kirsch54
    kirsch54 Posts: 2 Member
    Had to respond to this one. My husband drank 2 2L diet soda bottles a day thinking it was low cal and he was a recovering alcoholic, so the sweet was what he was after. To be honest, everything I've researched for over 20 years says that our bodies read DIET products the same as sugar, therefore gaining weight and affecting hormones in negative ways. The chemicals will change your chemistry and you will be permanently affected by that much consumption per day. I figure I will go for the real sugar, then be forced to do not much of that to keep healthy. I get wicked headaches and gut pains from artificial so my body is telling me "not good for you". If you have joint pains, headaches, sore muscles, eye strain and can't lose weight? I would check into iced green tea you make yourself, squeeze a lemon into water or use mint, cucumber or another low cal flavor without the sugar. This is an addition to that chemical, so it won't be easy, but if you do water and a piece of fruit with the skin, you get the boost and less sugar spikes without the damage, just saying .... watch fruit juices as well, which don't have the fiber to flatten out the sugar spikes. Good luck with that and be well.
  • gaelicstorm26
    gaelicstorm26 Posts: 589 Member
    I have a diet soda a few times a week. I would worry about the sodium and acid erosion on the teeth more than anything, because it can really add up! I don't worry at all about artificial sweeteners. I'm diabetic. If I want a sweet drink, it probably has a sweetener in there somewhere.
  • DivineChoices
    DivineChoices Posts: 193 Member
    I personally try to stay away from aspartame and high fructose corn syrup. Those are my choices for my body. No one else has to follow suit.

    With that being said, I do still drink soda, when it can fit in my calories goals. I use a soda maker to make it at home with syrups that use sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. The brand I use gives me 1 liter for the same calories as a commercially prepared 12 oz can.

    Though I do try to limit my soda drinking b/c my dentist and orthodontist tell me the acidic properties weaken my teeth enamel.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    I drink a ton of the stuff, normally 2 litres a day at least.

    With it being diet and low calorie can you drink the stuff and just log it. I have seen lots of conflicting information some saying it's fine others saying it's not good for you even the diet or low sugar.

    I did drink the normal stuff for a long time which probably contributed to the weight gain. I don't really drink tea or coffee and their is only so much water I can drink.

    This has been a topic of hot debate on these thread and you will never get a definitive answer. Here's just my view - 2 liters of anything (except maybe water) is excessive. I don't care if it's zero calories. Part of weight loss is getting a handle on portion control and self control. 2 liters is basically a binge, not healthy from a food relationship stand point.

    I subscribe to the school of everything in moderation, as in 8 to 12 ounces a day.
  • gaelicstorm26
    gaelicstorm26 Posts: 589 Member
    Oh, and both Diet Pepsi and Coke Zero taste like butt.:wink:

    Diet A&W is clearly the diet soda king.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Oh, and both Diet Pepsi and Coke Zero taste like butt.:wink:

    Diet A&W is clearly the diet soda king.

    I love diet a & w diet root beer!!!!!!....in moderation of course:wink:

    Also.......Gaelic Storm is awesome!! Saw them live a few years ago...great show.
  • 1911JR
    1911JR Posts: 276
    I drink a ton of the stuff, normally 2 litres a day at least.

    With it being diet and low calorie can you drink the stuff and just log it. I have seen lots of conflicting information some saying it's fine others saying it's not good for you even the diet or low sugar.

    I did drink the normal stuff for a long time which probably contributed to the weight gain. I don't really drink tea or coffee and their is only so much water I can drink.

    One of the things that I have learned in life is, if you dig deep enough, you will be able to find someone that says, lightly head butting telephone poles is good for you. It helps to stabilize ADD and the pain sensors in your forehead trigger a slight but immediate increase in your metabolism.

    Then, there will be people who read it and think its the gospel. Next they will spread their new findings via the fountain of misinformation called the internet.

    So with that sarcasm said, its all about moderation. Odds are you aren't a professional athlete, and if you were a diet drink here and there won`t kill you or effect your body in any way. Nor will some pizza or a piece of cake. Now if you eat the whole cake and wash it down with a 2LT, Houston, we have a problem!
  • MissMissle
    MissMissle Posts: 293 Member
    I remember there was a report a few years back about carbonated beverages being detrimental to bone strength. That urban legend was debunked. Then, another study came to light regarding carbonated diet drinks contributing to the onset of gallstones. Also debunked. ETC., ETC. I think I'll stick to "my type" of drink!

    For those of you who can't/won't tolerate aspartame, there are several pretty good diet sodas out there that are aspartame-free. Stevia is the sweetening agent. Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Fairway (in NY) all have them. Health food stores probably carry them, too. They're more expensive than the big jugs of Diet Coke, but if you're trying to cut down on this kind of stuff, you may find this conveniently self-limiting (to be savored rather than guzzled).

    PS-- I prefer just a splash of caffeine-free Diet Coke in my Jack Daniel's (when I want to waste my calories on alcohol...)
    My orthopedic surgeon instructed me not to drink soda. It's also bad for teeth.

    Not sure if aspertane is "good" or "bad" ... either way, Coke Zero trumps all others IMO.

    But I mean, Id imagine drinking 2 liters of something with the same pH as hydrochloric acid may not be the best option for your health? It definetly speeds up the degration of tooth enamel, no idea if it does anything to organs... but it sure does a good job on copper pennies!

    My feeling is if you are questioning if you are "drinking too much" - you probbaly already feel like you are.... right? Switch to only 1 liter a day, save the $1.50, and by the end of the year you can buy yourself a sweet new toy! And... your insides may thank you!
  • Fit_Chef_NE
    Fit_Chef_NE Posts: 110 Member
    Almost everyone here is missing the point. That much caffeine is bad for you no matter what you believe about aspartame. You can still do major organ damage even if you're thin.