The evils of diet soda...

_Johanna_
_Johanna_ Posts: 125 Member
edited September 28 in Health and Weight Loss
I have heard so many people gasp and have small fits over those who drink a diet soda. So, what I'd really like is to know what is the big deal? I've heard people say that these 0 calorie drinks are anti-productive and can actually cause a person to gain weight - is that true and can someone explain why that is the case?

FYI - I LOVE my Wild Diet Cherry Pepsi, but do make sure that I drink my 8 glasses of water before I ever indulge. I take it as one of the few things that I can have kind of as a treat that is not really all too terrible for me and has a no calorie effect on my diet. I also try to limit myself to one a day, although I will occasionally have two.

I just want to know what the evils of drinking this soda is so that if necessary, I can begin to talk myself out of drinking it :)
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Replies

  • thisismynewmindset
    thisismynewmindset Posts: 273 Member
    From my understanding there is a TON of sodium in those diet sodas and that in turn can cause you to retain water.

    Also, the effects of drinking too much aspratame is bad (although I am not too sure what they are, I just know they are bad)
  • Talako
    Talako Posts: 79 Member
    Put your seat belt on. They will arrive with frothy self-rightousness in 3..2..1..
  • ItsCasey
    ItsCasey Posts: 4,021 Member
    Diet soda can't cause you to gain weight by itself. It has zero calories. But if you're using diet soda to justify adding calories elsewhere in your diet, then you have a problem on your hands.

    Of course there are other health issues related to consuming artificial sweeteners, but nobody gains weight from drinking diet soda. They gain weight because they use diet soda as an excuse to eat or drink other things that they shouldn't.
  • penash
    penash Posts: 35 Member
    I've heard mixed messages on this issue. Some studies have suggested that aspartame makes people crave more (actual) sugar, leading to a binge...thus, weight gain. However, not everyone has this problem. I've never had an issue with my Diet Coke. It takes a full day for me to finish a 20oz soda, and completely satisfies my sweet tooth.
  • thisismynewmindset
    thisismynewmindset Posts: 273 Member
    Actually jq2122 you are right! I have heard of this... it actually has a name... "the diet coke theory". You think to yourself.... oh, I had a diet coke, and not a real coke, so now I can have a doughnut!

    It's a way to justify your excuses, but in the end it all adds up to pounds on that scale!!
  • ldybugg
    ldybugg Posts: 134
    Diet wild cherry is my favorite! ( ive gotten other friends hooked now 2!) They SAY that the artificial sweetener actually spikes ur blood sugar and causes you to crave sweets. In my experiance, i dont have that problem. I drink a ton of it everyday- along with water and coffee and I'm at my goal weight. I'ld say just monitor if you have higher cravings after drinking it. Me personally, I wont be giving it up.
  • jane130
    jane130 Posts: 28 Member
    I also love diet cherry coke. I used to drink them at least once a day and occasionally more.

    I don't think diet soda is evil, nor am I that scared of the phantom threat that it may cause cancer. The reason I try to stay away from diet soda is mainly because I was having a lot of dental problems. The acid in the soda was rotting my teeth and causing cavities. When I gave up soda, I didn't have any cavities at my next dental visit and I even noticed my teeth were whiter.

    Another reason I tried to get away from it was because I read that putting artificial sweeteners in all your drinks just trained your body to expect everything to taste sweet. I wanted to get used to drinking water and enjoying it. Plus, if I drink soda instead of water with my meals, than that's a significant amount of water I just missed out on.

    One more thing, watch out for the caffeine, that may be contributing to why you like it so much.

    I don't think there's anything wrong with diet soda in moderation, it's great to have a treat that is zero calories. My only advice is to try not to become dependent on it, it really has no nutritional value.
  • robertf57
    robertf57 Posts: 560 Member
    There have been a number of studies that show those who consume diet sodas weigh more than those who don't. I have never seen a study that convinces me that this association is causal. It makes perfect sense to me that fat people will consume diet sodas while thinner people may not worry about the calories. Also, I do believe that a "sweet tooth" (whatever that really means) may be a contributor to both weight gain and drinking of diet sodas. So, weight issues may track with diet soda consumption, but the diet soda may not be the cause of the weight issues. I am doubtful we will ever see a study that can truly answer this question. For now, I would use diet sodas cautiously but would deprive myself of something I truly valued and enjoyed given the data at hand!

    If diet sodas are the peak of your concerns, I'd say you have no worries.
  • RhonndaJ
    RhonndaJ Posts: 1,615 Member
    Let's see.
    Diet soda is not healthy therefore it is bad for you.
    It has artificial sweeteners in it that make some people crave sweets or have headaches, and may possibly give you cancer, therefore you should never touch it.
    Did I miss anything?

    Personally, I think if you can drink the stuff in moderation, while I agree it's not a healthy option, I don't think it's a bad thing.
  • laurad1406
    laurad1406 Posts: 341
    I am actually on my 13th day without a diet soda...I was drinking 1 or 2 a day, which isn't anything terrible...and no i'm not going to judge you for drinking it :smile: I just realized it was a bad habit #1 for my wallet and #2, when i stopped drinking them, I got terrible headaches and was apparently going through caffeine withdrawl. I have read the horror blogs about how terrible they are, but for me it was more just proving to myself I could do it. Then once I realized I could get through 2 days without one, I tried for 3, etc. Now I'm craving them less and less though, and feeling better. I quit smoking in December, and I have to admit quitting Diet Coke has been harder!!
  • sushisuzi2
    sushisuzi2 Posts: 111 Member
    I'm gonna be honest, I gag on water, and will never stop drinking no cal drinks. I feel it's better than being dehydrated.
    I pee all day long.
    I don't drink alcohol because I don't enjoy the taste. Same deal with water.
  • Schraudt814
    Schraudt814 Posts: 496 Member
    Put your seat belt on. They will arrive with frothy self-rightousness in 3..2..1..

    hahaha i definitely laughed out loud at this! :laugh: I do love me some diet coke but I try to limit it. I'm not sure why it's bad for you I just know that it is...but I love it!
  • SenoraMacias
    SenoraMacias Posts: 305 Member
    Put your seat belt on. They will arrive with frothy self-rightousness in 3..2..1..


    So true!!!! Man I've never seen so many upright people in one place. Talking about food, to boot!
  • pittielover23
    pittielover23 Posts: 268
    I drink 1 diet soda a day (with lunch). People that don't like it can suck it ;)
  • go2grrl
    go2grrl Posts: 190 Member
    It's also not the best choice environmentally:

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-grayson/eco-etiquette-how-bad-for_b_492743.html
  • Ariyasnow1
    Ariyasnow1 Posts: 117
    Well, let’s look at the nutrition facts and then you can decide for yourself if it truly ‘good and healthy’ for you; zero calories or no. This is what you are putting into your body...

    PER SERVING
    8 fl oz
    Caffeine (mg)
    25
    Potassium (mg)
    45
    Phosphorous (mg)
    36
    Acesulfame Potassium (mg)
    21
    Aspartame (mg)
    83
    Sucralose (mg)
    0

    Ingredients:
    CARBONATED WATER, CARAMEL COLOR, PHOSPHORIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVORS, ASPARTAME, POTASSIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVES FRESHNESS), POTASSIUM CITRATE, CITRIC ACID, CAFFEINE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (TO PROTECT FLAVOR)
    PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE.

    Cited: http://www.pepsiproductfacts.com/infobyproduct.php?brand_fam_id=1051&brand_id=1000&product=Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry

    Wow…I can’t even pronounce these words much less understand what they are…Do you really want to put this into your body??
  • _Johanna_
    _Johanna_ Posts: 125 Member
    Thanks for ALL the posts - I appreciate those of you who could give me the information that you could pertaining to it's 'evilness' as well as those of you who drink nothing but 0 calorie drinks! You all gave me some interesting things to think about in drinking sodas and a few laughs as well :)

    I think that I am going to go ahead with my plan - make sure I get my water in (maybe even a little more) and try to stick to one a day. It will help my wallet as one person mentioned and as another said - if this is what I'm worried about, then I'm doing pretty good - thanks for that!

    I didn't think about sodium content thought - I have not been logging it since it was zero calories, but maybe I should just to make sure I have an accurate sodium count!

    Thanks again everyone!
  • GARider
    GARider Posts: 22 Member
    Put your seat belt on. They will arrive with frothy self-rightousness in 3..2..1..


    Classic! :laugh:
  • Schwiggity
    Schwiggity Posts: 1,449 Member
    From my understanding there is a TON of sodium in those diet sodas and that in turn can cause you to retain water.

    Also, the effects of drinking too much aspratame is bad (although I am not too sure what they are, I just know they are bad)

    Since when is 30mg per serving a "TON"?
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    I'm a one a day diet soda (or iced tea, or whatever drink I'm craving) also, and have been for years. It has never inhibited my weight loss or fitness goals, so I don't think there is anything wrong with it. I think it is more of a mental thing, like a gateway drug for people. :laugh:
  • crazycranberry
    crazycranberry Posts: 117 Member
    Put your seat belt on. They will arrive with frothy self-rightousness in 3..2..1..

    Too funny!!! Love it! Brightened up my monday - tee hee!!
  • ChantalGG
    ChantalGG Posts: 2,404 Member
    i have started drinking it. I used to hate it but one can a day has replaced my 2 or 4 regular pops a day. I have lost weight. It makes me feel normal to be able to drink it if i go out anywhere.
  • Jaradel
    Jaradel Posts: 143 Member
    OP, I think your plan is a good one. For me (and I'm only speaking to my personal experience), if I drink too much Diet Coke during the day, I feel dragged out. When I drink unsweetened black iced tea, I don't feel that way. I start my day with a large cold cup of unsweetened iced tea, and then I try to switch to water and limit the Diet Coke consumption. I don't feel that diet sodas are bad - I do love my Diet Coke - but I think my body appreciates water and tea more than Diet Coke.

    Again, this is just me - YMMV.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Thanks for ALL the posts - I appreciate those of you who could give me the information that you could pertaining to it's I didn't think about sodium content thought - I have not been logging it since it was zero calories, but maybe I should just to make sure I have an accurate sodium count!

    Thanks again everyone!

    The sodium in Diet Pepsi is pretty low. About 25mg per 8 oz serving. Gatorade has 4 times that amount.

    If you drink nothing but soda all day long, the sodium will add up, but there's not enough in one to cause water retention.

    I've cut way down on my soda habit, but I love the stuff.

    I should selfishly urge you to drink Coke, since my husband works for the local Pepsi distributor and he works entirely too hard. Buy Coke and maybe he'll be able to punch out at quitting time. :laugh:
  • kristidem
    kristidem Posts: 160 Member
    Facinating question and responses. I always stuck to one diet soda a day or maybe two, and was able to loose 40 pounds and reach my goal. Though I have been reading articles about how even one diet soda a day can raise your risk for diabetes and other health diseases. According to one article, diet is worse than "regular" in terms of increased health risks. You may want to talk to your doctor to know the real risks, and if you're already high risk for things that a diet soda can exacerbate then maybe it's time to stop the diet sodas.
  • Heather75
    Heather75 Posts: 3,386 Member
    Do what you want. If you like it, drink it. If you don't like it, don't drink it. You aren't going to drop dead from an occasional diet soda.
  • femmerides
    femmerides Posts: 843 Member
    i love diet soda and sparkling water. i've heard that they just cause you to crave bad things that's why you shouldn't drink them. i have the opposite effect. when i drink anything diet i feel full and end up eating way less. i rarely drink soda of any kind though because i'm broke and can't afford them. lol. but i think that if you want one then have one. just don't give in to the cravings.
  • choughton01
    choughton01 Posts: 68 Member
    Since when is 30mg per serving a "TON"?



    I was thinking the same.
  • choughton01
    choughton01 Posts: 68 Member
    How do people move other people's comments and comment on those. I tried with the 30 sodium ton thing and now it looks like I posted it which was not my intention. I agree 30 is not a ton.
  • fmorpurgo
    fmorpurgo Posts: 32
    In the words of the mighty Adam Ant, dont drink, dont smoke, what do you do?- Have a diet soda if you damn well want one, you are on a diet, and denial is the name of the game, so if you want a little treat, what is the harm?? Burp! :glasses:
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