Soda how long can you go without it?

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Replies

  • DonaldChadDavis
    DonaldChadDavis Posts: 89 Member
    I used to drink 12-18 Mtn Dews a day. It was a major contributing factor to my morbid obesity. I now drink either Diet Mtn Dew, or Coke Zero. I also enjoy hot tea with Truvia.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    carolynmo1969 wrote: »
    I have a hand-held soda maker that adds carbonation to beverages and it makes brewed herb/fruit teas really yummy.

    What kind? I want one.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Kimberly_Harper wrote: »
    I can't remember the last time I had one. I wouldn't turn down a ginger-ale if someone offered it to me, but I'd rather have water or tea.

    I love homemade ginger ale so much, but peeling ginger is a pain.

    I'm super lazy about the weirdest things.
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    Honestly, I just like water. I'll drink coke with rum, but that's it. Too sweet, it's like drinking candy, no thanks.
  • yourstrulynancy
    yourstrulynancy Posts: 77 Member
    DonaldChadDavis wrote: »
    I used to drink 12-18 Mtn Dews a day. It was a major contributing factor to my morbid obesity. I now drink either Diet Mtn Dew, or Coke Zero. I also enjoy hot tea with Truvia.
    Wow that's extreme , congrats on your weight loss ppl like you are strong motivators
  • GreenValli
    GreenValli Posts: 1,054 Member
    I drink just one bottle a week, the 16oz size, usually a diet cola. I discipline myself to have my 8 glasses of water first. In fact, after I have one cup of morning coffee, I have all 8 glasses water for the day before I drink anything else. So now I drink the bottle of soda after dinner when I have it. I used to drink a huge soda just about every day, like the super size cups at fast food places.

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  • KaneNLN
    KaneNLN Posts: 39 Member
    Only drink water here, aint had soda in like 2 years.. helps when you like water!
  • cincysweetheart
    cincysweetheart Posts: 892 Member
    I used to drink a minimum of 32 oz of full sugar Dr. Pepper every night. When I started counting calories… I stopped drinking it. Wasn't worth the calories. And I hate diet sodas. That was about April/May of 2014. Went on a drink run with my niece in October when I was visiting her and ordered a small Dr. Pepper. My first soda in almost 6 months. NASTY! Tasted like chemicals to me. Couldn't even drink a 1/4 of it. Nothing till Christmas. I had a glass of sparkling cider as part of a tradition. Tasted good… but the carbonation made me sick. I was miserable for about 3 hours after that one glass (6 ounces) of sparkling cider. Haven't had anything since then. Don't even miss it. Not worth the calories. Not worth feeling sick.
  • Unknown
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  • jorinya
    jorinya Posts: 933 Member
    yourstrulynancy wrote: »
    Aspartame what is it ? Can someone spread some knowledge

    Aspartame is an artificial sweetener they put in drinks and foods. It is known to cause symptoms that mimic that of Multiple Sclerosis. It can cause weight gain and that's why lots of soda drinkers gain weight. It is even in the artificial sweetener some put in their tea/coffee instead of sugar.
    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/23/aspartame-artificial-sweeteners.aspx
    http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html
    http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/goodfood/pages/the-truth-about-aspartame.aspx

    See for yourself. Me personally, I try as much to avoid it. Its ironic, diet drinks are supposed to be healthier yet the are packed with aspartame which is NOT good for us at all.
  • movegrooveandwatchthefood
    movegrooveandwatchthefood Posts: 28 Member


    [/quote] Just soda in general because I have ppl in my life who I have seen basically gain lots of weight due to soda intakes , I cut it out my diet [/quote]

    I have lost 4 pounds since quitting soda 2 weeks ago. and yes, it is super addicting, just one soda and i am back to the habit buying 2 liters, so i switched to water.
  • icck
    icck Posts: 197 Member
    I drink it periodically, maybe once every 2-3 months, but it isn't something that I crave or miss. Sometimes I really fancy an ice cold drink and only a can of cola will cut it, yet another time I'll buy a 500ml bottle on a whim and then end up throwing some of it away days later.
    I used to drink *a lot* when I was in my teens and early 20s, and lost a lot of weight when I stopped. I've never noticed anything else from drinking or not drinking it though.

    I don't bother with diet drinks, and don't like the flavor that comes with sweeteners.
  • NJbabe
    NJbabe Posts: 113 Member
    I used to drink Diet Coke or Coke Zero. (The regular one was too sweet for me.)

    I've been drinking natural sparkling water for a while now. I also pick natural flavored sparkling water on occasion. It's sooooo much better for you. ;)

    Artificial sweeteners (found in diet sodas) are known to trigger insulin. And that sends your body into fat storage mode which in turn leads to weight gain. It also causes tooth erosion over time. It's long-term consumption is also linked to type 2 diabetes, headaches, depression and so on.

    If you simply like and crave the fizziness - try drinking sparkling water instead.

    Reading this might also help:

    http://www.trueactivist.com/what-happens-to-our-body-after-drinking-coca-cola/

    And this too:

    http://www.rodalenews.com/facts-about-soda?page=1
  • bluex232
    bluex232 Posts: 135 Member
    edited April 2015
    I went over a year without it and did not miss it at all...then I got pregnant with my daughter and was really sick for 4 days straight so my hubby brought me home some Sprite (I could have killed him, lol)...that was it, I was hooked again, drank it for almost a year and stopped again January 1 2015...I'm glad I stopped again, but let me tell you, the 2nd time around there are days that I RRRREEEEAAALLLLLLYYYY miss it!! Lol. Hoping that goes away soon!!
  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    edited April 2015
    jorinya wrote: »
    yourstrulynancy wrote: »
    Aspartame what is it ? Can someone spread some knowledge

    Aspartame is an artificial sweetener they put in drinks and foods. It is known to cause symptoms that mimic that of Multiple Sclerosis. It can cause weight gain and that's why lots of soda drinkers gain weight. It is even in the artificial sweetener some put in their tea/coffee instead of sugar.
    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/23/aspartame-artificial-sweeteners.aspx
    http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html
    http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/goodfood/pages/the-truth-about-aspartame.aspx

    See for yourself. Me personally, I try as much to avoid it. Its ironic, diet drinks are supposed to be healthier yet the are packed with aspartame which is NOT good for us at all.
    NJbabe wrote: »
    I used to drink Diet Coke or Coke Zero. (The regular one was too sweet for me.)

    I've been drinking natural sparkling water for a while now. I also pick natural flavored sparkling water on occasion. It's sooooo much better for you. ;)

    Artificial sweeteners (found in diet sodas) are known to trigger insulin. And that sends your body into fat storage mode which in turn leads to weight gain. It also causes tooth erosion over time. It's long-term consumption is also linked to type 2 diabetes, headaches, depression and so on.

    If you simply like and crave the fizziness - try drinking sparkling water instead.

    Reading this might also help:

    http://www.trueactivist.com/what-happens-to-our-body-after-drinking-coca-cola/

    And this too:

    http://www.rodalenews.com/facts-about-soda?page=1



    Now, that the quack science is out of the way, please read the links provided in this thread. https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1308408/why-aspartame-isnt-scary
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    I could goes years without soda...coffee on-the-other-hand; I drink 48 oz of that daily.
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    I have not had a soda in years. Easy.
  • Laurend224
    Laurend224 Posts: 1,748 Member
    Years. I was never a huge soda drinker.
  • kristen6350
    kristen6350 Posts: 1,094 Member
    I went without it (regular or diet) for about 1.5 years, then I decided Diet was fine, and now I have 1 a day. Before I went cold turkey I was drinking 2-3 regular a day.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    jorinya wrote: »
    yourstrulynancy wrote: »
    Aspartame what is it ? Can someone spread some knowledge

    Aspartame is an artificial sweetener they put in drinks and foods. It is known to cause symptoms that mimic that of Multiple Sclerosis. It can cause weight gain and that's why lots of soda drinkers gain weight. It is even in the artificial sweetener some put in their tea/coffee instead of sugar.
    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/23/aspartame-artificial-sweeteners.aspx
    http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html
    http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/goodfood/pages/the-truth-about-aspartame.aspx

    See for yourself. Me personally, I try as much to avoid it. Its ironic, diet drinks are supposed to be healthier yet the are packed with aspartame which is NOT good for us at all.

    Tip for the future...if you ever think about putting a "mercola" based link up to prove a point, you lose all credibility. He is a known quack.
  • SconnieCat
    SconnieCat Posts: 770 Member
    stevencloser wrote: »
    jorinya wrote: »
    yourstrulynancy wrote: »
    Aspartame what is it ? Can someone spread some knowledge

    Aspartame is an artificial sweetener they put in drinks and foods. It is known to cause symptoms that mimic that of Multiple Sclerosis. It can cause weight gain and that's why lots of soda drinkers gain weight. It is even in the artificial sweetener some put in their tea/coffee instead of sugar.
    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/23/aspartame-artificial-sweeteners.aspx
    http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html
    http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/goodfood/pages/the-truth-about-aspartame.aspx

    See for yourself. Me personally, I try as much to avoid it. Its ironic, diet drinks are supposed to be healthier yet the are packed with aspartame which is NOT good for us at all.
    NJbabe wrote: »
    I used to drink Diet Coke or Coke Zero. (The regular one was too sweet for me.)

    I've been drinking natural sparkling water for a while now. I also pick natural flavored sparkling water on occasion. It's sooooo much better for you. ;)

    Artificial sweeteners (found in diet sodas) are known to trigger insulin. And that sends your body into fat storage mode which in turn leads to weight gain. It also causes tooth erosion over time. It's long-term consumption is also linked to type 2 diabetes, headaches, depression and so on.

    If you simply like and crave the fizziness - try drinking sparkling water instead.

    Reading this might also help:

    http://www.trueactivist.com/what-happens-to-our-body-after-drinking-coca-cola/

    And this too:

    http://www.rodalenews.com/facts-about-soda?page=1



    Now, that the quack science is out of the way, please read the links provided in this thread. https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1308408/why-aspartame-isnt-scary

    Oh thank God. I was hoping someone would point out how much of a quack Mercola and a couple of the other sites are.

    Personally, I've had periods of time where I've drank diet/zero calorie sodas and periods of time where I nixed soda all together.

    I didn't feel any different when I gave up drinking the diet/zero calorie stuff than I do currently when I drink - on average - two sodas a day.

    Also, I enjoy throwing some Captain in with diet coke... or Sprite (Zero) and vodka with a twist of lime.

    But seriously... you can pry my Coke Zero from my cold, dead hands.
  • jcarland11
    jcarland11 Posts: 7 Member
    Diet soda is not any better than regular soda my friends....
    Here is an article from the Buffalo News, I suggest you all read it if you are currently a diet soda junkie.

    Kick your diet soda habit for good
    on March 7, 2015 - 12:01 AM

    You kicked your regular soda habit, and now you’re sitting on cloud nine. But if that cloud is made of diet soda – a replacement for the real thing – you may have just created new problems.

    Switching from regular to diet soda may offer a short-term cut in calories, but your body won’t be fooled for long. Research suggests it reacts to certain non-nutritive foods, including the artificial sweeteners in diet soda, in ways that may harm your health.

    Here are three reasons to kick your diet soda habit for good:

    1 – “Diet” soda is associated with weight gain. Current research suggests that the brain reacts to artificial sweeteners much like it does to sugary sweets. Ingesting them frequently may result in an increased desire for high-calorie foods such as sugary treats, putting you at greater risk of both weight gain and consumption of low-nutrient-density foods.

    One study found that overweight people who switched to diet soda were more likely to consume more calories in food than overweight individuals who drank regular soda. Further, those who drank diet soda had a higher BMI than their counterparts. And other research has suggested that the rise in diet soda consumption correlates with increases in our weight as a nation.

    2 – Diet soda may cause insulin confusion. The brain normally associates “sweet” with calories. In the realm of human physiology, that’s a good thing. It drives your body to release insulin as sugar’s chaperone to the cells to create fuel. In the past, people assumed that this process could not occur when we consume artificial sweeteners because calories don’t follow the sweet flavor.

    However, a 2013 study found that the process could very well happen. In the study, individuals who consumed a specific artificial sweetener (sucralose) had increases in both insulin and blood glucose levels. Further research is needed, but the findings were significant. Why? Because frequent rises in insulin have been linked to insulin resistance and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.

    3 – Diet soda may change your brain’s reaction to sweetness. A 2012 study compared MRI results in college students who drank diet soda – averaging at least eight servings per week – with those who drank regular cola.

    Both groups activated similar reward areas in the brain. But students who drank the most diet cola each week had the least amount of activity in an area of the brain associated with the desire to consume “palatable” foods – often those high in fat and sugar.

    Quitting a habit is never easy. But we recommend kicking soda all the way, whether it’s regular or diet. Doing so can have profound effects on both your weight and your health.
  • SconnieCat
    SconnieCat Posts: 770 Member
    jcarland11 wrote: »
    Diet soda is not any better than regular soda my friends....
    Here is an article from the Buffalo News, I suggest you all read it if you are currently a diet soda junkie.

    Kick your diet soda habit for good
    on March 7, 2015 - 12:01 AM

    You kicked your regular soda habit, and now you’re sitting on cloud nine. But if that cloud is made of diet soda – a replacement for the real thing – you may have just created new problems.

    Switching from regular to diet soda may offer a short-term cut in calories, but your body won’t be fooled for long. Research suggests it reacts to certain non-nutritive foods, including the artificial sweeteners in diet soda, in ways that may harm your health.

    Here are three reasons to kick your diet soda habit for good:

    1 – “Diet” soda is associated with weight gain. Current research suggests that the brain reacts to artificial sweeteners much like it does to sugary sweets. Ingesting them frequently may result in an increased desire for high-calorie foods such as sugary treats, putting you at greater risk of both weight gain and consumption of low-nutrient-density foods.

    One study found that overweight people who switched to diet soda were more likely to consume more calories in food than overweight individuals who drank regular soda. Further, those who drank diet soda had a higher BMI than their counterparts. And other research has suggested that the rise in diet soda consumption correlates with increases in our weight as a nation.

    2 – Diet soda may cause insulin confusion. The brain normally associates “sweet” with calories. In the realm of human physiology, that’s a good thing. It drives your body to release insulin as sugar’s chaperone to the cells to create fuel. In the past, people assumed that this process could not occur when we consume artificial sweeteners because calories don’t follow the sweet flavor.

    However, a 2013 study found that the process could very well happen. In the study, individuals who consumed a specific artificial sweetener (sucralose) had increases in both insulin and blood glucose levels. Further research is needed, but the findings were significant. Why? Because frequent rises in insulin have been linked to insulin resistance and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.

    3 – Diet soda may change your brain’s reaction to sweetness. A 2012 study compared MRI results in college students who drank diet soda – averaging at least eight servings per week – with those who drank regular cola.

    Both groups activated similar reward areas in the brain. But students who drank the most diet cola each week had the least amount of activity in an area of the brain associated with the desire to consume “palatable” foods – often those high in fat and sugar.

    Quitting a habit is never easy. But we recommend kicking soda all the way, whether it’s regular or diet. Doing so can have profound effects on both your weight and your health.

    So I went to actual article in the hopes of finding the actual sources the poorly written copy-and-paste article quotes; however, am unable to find any. Could you post or link to some actual scientific journal findings to back up these claims?
  • Osiris275
    Osiris275 Posts: 228 Member
    I rarely have fizzy drinks. I mostly drink water and always have done. Occasionally if I'm out having a meal I will have some 7Up or Diet Coke but it's not often. I just find it too gassy as doesn't quench my thirst like water does.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    jcarland11 wrote: »
    Diet soda is not any better than regular soda my friends....

    Sure it is. Reasons I don't drink sugary soda: (1) I hate the way it tastes (syrupy) and (2) lots of calories and not filling. Ways in which diet soda is better: (1) tastes better (from my perspective) and (2) no calories.

    I don't drink diet soda to replace regular--I haven't had regular since I was 16 other than on accident and I never want it.

    I'm also not a diet soda junkie (I do drink it sometimes, but mostly I'm a coffee junkie, and I admit it), but what the heck, I'll respond.
    1 – “Diet” soda is associated with weight gain. Current research suggests that the brain reacts to artificial sweeteners much like it does to sugary sweets. Ingesting them frequently may result in an increased desire for high-calorie foods such as sugary treats, putting you at greater risk of both weight gain and consumption of low-nutrient-density foods.

    Not true, or at least overstated. It might affect some people that way, but experiment and see. It has zero effect on my desire for sugary foods.

    That some people compensate for calories saved when they give up regular soda (although some don't, obviously) is hardly surprising.

    Re 2: I have no insulin resistance issues, so who cares. But someone who does would in fact probably be far better off avoiding soda and drinking diet if it's a choice between the two.

    Re 3: again, maybe for some people, but not for me. In fact, the claim that it affects your palate has always struck me as funny given that when I was drinking lots of diet soda I still disliked most sweeter wines and all sweetened coffees and teas, and enjoyed the sweetness of fruits and veggies just fine. Similarly, I am currently able to enjoy both ice cream (sweet) and perceive fruits and veggies as sweet.

    Scare articles are not helpful. People should focus on how things actually affect them, and if they enjoy diet soda, it's probably not helpful for many to worry about cutting that at the same time they are trying to build up new eating habits. For example, I do think I need to cut my coffee and have started working on it. It's hard enough now--it would have been lots harder to try to do it last year when I was also just starting to worry about calories.
  • theston412
    theston412 Posts: 47 Member
    I have a love/hate relationship with Mountain Dew, the same way people have a love/hate relationship with alcohol. I can't have just one. When I decided to make my lifestyle change, I knew pop had to go. First and foremost, I knew it wasn't good for my weight loss plan, because I know that if I have 1, I'm having 10. Secondly, my dentist was always on me about my teeth. I have cavities in almost all of my teeth (some have had to be repaired due to being decayed beneath the filling).

    I knew that if I left the pop, I wouldn't regret it - and I haven't really. Funny thing, though, I figured since I drank so much pop, I should be able to drink that much water. I can't. I barely get 2 or 3 glasses of water in a day. Pop would run down my throat and I wouldn't even know it. I have to almost set an alarm to drink water. Weird.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    jcarland11 wrote: »
    Diet soda is not any better than regular soda my friends....
    Here is an article from the Buffalo News, I suggest you all read it if you are currently a diet soda junkie.

    Kick your diet soda habit for good
    on March 7, 2015 - 12:01 AM

    You kicked your regular soda habit, and now you’re sitting on cloud nine. But if that cloud is made of diet soda – a replacement for the real thing – you may have just created new problems.

    Switching from regular to diet soda may offer a short-term cut in calories, but your body won’t be fooled for long. Research suggests it reacts to certain non-nutritive foods, including the artificial sweeteners in diet soda, in ways that may harm your health.

    Here are three reasons to kick your diet soda habit for good:

    1 – “Diet” soda is associated with weight gain. Current research suggests that the brain reacts to artificial sweeteners much like it does to sugary sweets. Ingesting them frequently may result in an increased desire for high-calorie foods such as sugary treats, putting you at greater risk of both weight gain and consumption of low-nutrient-density foods.

    One study found that overweight people who switched to diet soda were more likely to consume more calories in food than overweight individuals who drank regular soda. Further, those who drank diet soda had a higher BMI than their counterparts. And other research has suggested that the rise in diet soda consumption correlates with increases in our weight as a nation.

    2 – Diet soda may cause insulin confusion. The brain normally associates “sweet” with calories. In the realm of human physiology, that’s a good thing. It drives your body to release insulin as sugar’s chaperone to the cells to create fuel. In the past, people assumed that this process could not occur when we consume artificial sweeteners because calories don’t follow the sweet flavor.

    However, a 2013 study found that the process could very well happen. In the study, individuals who consumed a specific artificial sweetener (sucralose) had increases in both insulin and blood glucose levels. Further research is needed, but the findings were significant. Why? Because frequent rises in insulin have been linked to insulin resistance and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.

    3 – Diet soda may change your brain’s reaction to sweetness. A 2012 study compared MRI results in college students who drank diet soda – averaging at least eight servings per week – with those who drank regular cola.

    Both groups activated similar reward areas in the brain. But students who drank the most diet cola each week had the least amount of activity in an area of the brain associated with the desire to consume “palatable” foods – often those high in fat and sugar.

    Quitting a habit is never easy. But we recommend kicking soda all the way, whether it’s regular or diet. Doing so can have profound effects on both your weight and your health.

    That's an opinion piece with no links to any actual science. Hopefully you don't get all your information from articles like this?
  • esjones12
    esjones12 Posts: 1,363 Member
    I've never liked carbonation, so I never drank soda. I used to put down vodka/sprites (cheap and strong), but I barely drink alcohol anymore. I pity those addicted to soda or other caffeine beverages. I don't drink coffee either. Never have.....
  • yourstrulynancy
    yourstrulynancy Posts: 77 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    jcarland11 wrote: »
    Diet soda is not any better than regular soda my friends....
    Here is an article from the Buffalo News, I suggest you all read it if you are currently a diet soda junkie.

    Kick your diet soda habit for good
    on March 7, 2015 - 12:01 AM

    You kicked your regular soda habit, and now you’re sitting on cloud nine. But if that cloud is made of diet soda – a replacement for the real thing – you may have just created new problems.

    Switching from regular to diet soda may offer a short-term cut in calories, but your body won’t be fooled for long. Research suggests it reacts to certain non-nutritive foods, including the artificial sweeteners in diet soda, in ways that may harm your health.

    Here are three reasons to kick your diet soda habit for good:

    1 – “Diet” soda is associated with weight gain. Current research suggests that the brain reacts to artificial sweeteners much like it does to sugary sweets. Ingesting them frequently may result in an increased desire for high-calorie foods such as sugary treats, putting you at greater risk of both weight gain and consumption of low-nutrient-density foods.

    One study found that overweight people who switched to diet soda were more likely to consume more calories in food than overweight individuals who drank regular soda. Further, those who drank diet soda had a higher BMI than their counterparts. And other research has suggested that the rise in diet soda consumption correlates with increases in our weight as a nation.

    2 – Diet soda may cause insulin confusion. The brain normally associates “sweet” with calories. In the realm of human physiology, that’s a good thing. It drives your body to release insulin as sugar’s chaperone to the cells to create fuel. In the past, people assumed that this process could not occur when we consume artificial sweeteners because calories don’t follow the sweet flavor.

    However, a 2013 study found that the process could very well happen. In the study, individuals who consumed a specific artificial sweetener (sucralose) had increases in both insulin and blood glucose levels. Further research is needed, but the findings were significant. Why? Because frequent rises in insulin have been linked to insulin resistance and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.

    3 – Diet soda may change your brain’s reaction to sweetness. A 2012 study compared MRI results in college students who drank diet soda – averaging at least eight servings per week – with those who drank regular cola.

    Both groups activated similar reward areas in the brain. But students who drank the most diet cola each week had the least amount of activity in an area of the brain associated with the desire to consume “palatable” foods – often those high in fat and sugar.

    Quitting a habit is never easy. But we recommend kicking soda all the way, whether it’s regular or diet. Doing so can have profound effects on both your weight and your health.

    That's an opinion piece with no links to any actual science. Hopefully you don't get all your information from articles like this?
    Hornsby wrote: »
    jcarland11 wrote: »
    Diet soda is not any better than regular soda my friends....
    Here is an article from the Buffalo News, I suggest you all read it if you are currently a diet soda junkie.

    Kick your diet soda habit for good
    on March 7, 2015 - 12:01 AM

    You kicked your regular soda habit, and now you’re sitting on cloud nine. But if that cloud is made of diet soda – a replacement for the real thing – you may have just created new problems.

    Switching from regular to diet soda may offer a short-term cut in calories, but your body won’t be fooled for long. Research suggests it reacts to certain non-nutritive foods, including the artificial sweeteners in diet soda, in ways that may harm your health.

    Here are three reasons to kick your diet soda habit for good:

    1 – “Diet” soda is associated with weight gain. Current research suggests that the brain reacts to artificial sweeteners much like it does to sugary sweets. Ingesting them frequently may result in an increased desire for high-calorie foods such as sugary treats, putting you at greater risk of both weight gain and consumption of low-nutrient-density foods.

    One study found that overweight people who switched to diet soda were more likely to consume more calories in food than overweight individuals who drank regular soda. Further, those who drank diet soda had a higher BMI than their counterparts. And other research has suggested that the rise in diet soda consumption correlates with increases in our weight as a nation.

    2 – Diet soda may cause insulin confusion. The brain normally associates “sweet” with calories. In the realm of human physiology, that’s a good thing. It drives your body to release insulin as sugar’s chaperone to the cells to create fuel. In the past, people assumed that this process could not occur when we consume artificial sweeteners because calories don’t follow the sweet flavor.

    However, a 2013 study found that the process could very well happen. In the study, individuals who consumed a specific artificial sweetener (sucralose) had increases in both insulin and blood glucose levels. Further research is needed, but the findings were significant. Why? Because frequent rises in insulin have been linked to insulin resistance and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.

    3 – Diet soda may change your brain’s reaction to sweetness. A 2012 study compared MRI results in college students who drank diet soda – averaging at least eight servings per week – with those who drank regular cola.

    Both groups activated similar reward areas in the brain. But students who drank the most diet cola each week had the least amount of activity in an area of the brain associated with the desire to consume “palatable” foods – often those high in fat and sugar.

    Quitting a habit is never easy. But we recommend kicking soda all the way, whether it’s regular or diet. Doing so can have profound effects on both your weight and your health.

    That's an opinion piece with no links to any actual science. Hopefully you don't get all your information from articles like this?

    This is a good interesting argument can we bring some real proven facts to the table rather than based opinions :-)

  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    carolynmo1969 wrote: »
    I have a hand-held soda maker that adds carbonation to beverages and it makes brewed herb/fruit teas really yummy.

    What kind? I want one.

    Sodastream.

    sodastream.png

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