Diet coke - does it make you put on weight

I am trying to stop any soda intake. I went to my doctor last week. I explained to him that my appetite is like crazy bad. I eat like I should, but get hungry too quickly. I end up just grabbing what's near because I will get that hungry. He told me to stop drinking any diet drinks. I had been drinking Diet Rite thinking that it's better than the rest because it doesn't have any aspartame, but in actuality it has another sweetner that, according to my doctor, is just as bad. He told me to just drink water and move more. So now I workout at 3 a.m. before work and have been avoiding sodas (even regular), except for today because I needed major caffiene since I am about to fall asleep at work and have a pounding headache. I haven't really noticed much difference this week, but it might take awhile to make a difference in my appetitite, I don't know.

I'm logging, but I always seem to go over my cals

Quit blaming the poor diet coke.

Soda is bad. Period. Don't drink it. Replace it with carbonated flavored waters if you like the fizzy feeling.

It gives me cravings, which lead to me eating much more than I usually would. So in a sense it could sabotage weight loss

Studies have shown that sweeteners trigger your brain into wanting more. Just drink more water. Stay away from the crap.

Studies have also shown that recognizing and acknowledging subconscious thoughts improves your ability overcome them. When you drink a diet pop, acknowledge that this might lead to cravings, and then do not give in to them. Problem solved.

All Coke is utter rubbish and should be taxed to death like cigarets, it poison.

I was practically addicted to some years ago, I still drink it but only on a Friday when I have a loads of Vodka on my free day.

I have been drinking them for years, back at 327 and still now in the low 180s, my abs are coming in and I drink more than 3 a day... I don't think it affects weight loss in my experience. I may get cancer but I will deal with that when the time comes...

All Coke is utter rubbish and should be taxed to death like cigarets, it poison.

I was practically addicted to some years ago, I still drink it but only on a Friday when I have a loads of Vodka on my free day.

You willingly ingest poison? Brave soul.

Over the past few months I have slowly gotten addicted to diet coke. I am having at least 1 can, but sometimes up to 3 a day. Initially it helped to fill that space in the late afternoon when I wanted to eat and eat. I've googled and there are so many reports saying that it actually ends up making you put on weight in the long term.

Initially I pffft'd that, but I'm beginning to think that is true. I am starting to struggle with controlling my cravings (and then over eating) and I'm actually now thinking that it might be the diet coke. I didn't seem to have any problems with this for the year that I lost weight. It's only once I got close to maintenance that I started with the diet coke thing, and every so slowly my weight has crept up (which is not surprising - I'm logging, but I always seem to go over my cals).

Thoughts? Experiences?

Artificial sweeteners do not make you gain weight themselves, and they affect everyone differently on an individual basis.. Some studies have shown that there are taste buds on your intestines that will 'taste' the artificial sweetener and elicit an insulin release because your body is preparing for sugar, which drives down your blood glucose levels, which in turn makes you more hungry because your body is looking for carbs. Be your own judge; if you want to cut them out, do so. If not, then don't. If you find you're stalling in weight loss, you can try to cut them out and see if it helps.

Please put down the diet soda and read this very scary!!

Aspartame Side Effects
There are over 92 different health side effects associated with aspartame consumption. It seems surreal, but true. How can one chemical create such chaos?

Aspartame dissolves into solution and can therefore travel throughout the body and deposit within any tissue. The body digests aspartame unlike saccharin, which does not break down within humans.

The multitude of aspartame side effects are indicative to your genetic individuality and physical weaknesses. It is important to put two and two together, nonetheless, and identify which side effects aspartame is creating within you.

Aspartame Side Effects
The components of aspartame can lead to a number of health problems, as you have read. Side effects can occur gradually, can be immediate, or can be acute reactions.


According to Lendon Smith, M.D. There is an enormous population suffering from side effects associated with aspartame, yet have no idea why drugs, supplements and herbs don’t relieve their symptoms. Then, there are users who don’t ‘appear’ to suffer immediate reactions at all. Even these individuals are susceptible to the long-term damage caused by excitatory amino acids, phenylalanine, methanol, and DKP.

Adverse reactions and side effects of aspartame include:

Eye
Blindness in one or both eyes
Decreased vision and/or other eye problems such as: blurring, bright flashes, squiggly lines, tunnel vision, decreased night vision
Pain in one or both eyes
Decreased tears
Trouble with contact lenses
Bulging eyes

Ear
Tinnitus - ringing or buzzing sound
Severe intolerance of noise
Marked hearing impairment

Neurologic
Epileptic seizures
Headaches, migraines and (some severe)
Dizziness, unsteadiness, both
Confusion, memory loss, both
Severe drowsiness and sleepiness
Paresthesia or numbness of the limbs
Severe slurring of speech
Severe hyperactivity and restless legs
Atypical facial pain
Severe tremors

Psychological/Psychiatric
Severe depression
Irritability
Aggression
Anxiety
Personality changes
Insomnia
Phobias

Chest
Palpitations, tachycardia
Shortness of breath
Recent high blood pressure

Gastrointestinal
Nausea
Diarrhea, sometimes with blood in stools
Abdominal pain
Pain when swallowing

Skin and Allergies
Itching without a rash
Lip and mouth reactions
Hives
Aggravated respiratory allergies such as asthma

Endocrine and Metabolic
Loss of control of diabetes
Menstrual changes
Marked thinning or loss of hair
Marked weight loss
Gradual weight gain
Aggravated low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Severe PMS

Other
Frequency of voiding and burning during urination
Excessive thirst, fluid retention, leg swelling, and bloating
Increased susceptibility to infection

Additional Symptoms of Aspartame Toxicity include the most critical symptoms of all
Death
Irreversible brain damage
Birth defects, including mental retardation
Peptic ulcers
Aspartame addiction and increased craving for sweets
Hyperactivity in children
Severe depression
Aggressive behavior
Suicidal tendencies

Aspartame may trigger, mimic, or cause the following illnesses:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Epstein-Barr
Post-Polio Syndrome
Lyme Disease
Grave’s Disease
Meniere’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
ALS
Epilepsy
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
EMS
Hypothyroidism
Mercury sensitivity from Amalgam fillings
Fibromyalgia
Lupus
Non-Hodgkins
Lymphoma
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

These are not allergies or sensitivities, but diseases and disease syndromes. Aspartame poisoning is commonly misdiagnosed because aspartame symptoms mock textbook ‘disease’ symptoms, such as Grave’s Disease.

Aspartame changes the ratio of amino acids in the blood, blocking or lowering the levels of serotonin, tyrosine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline. Therefore, it is typical that aspartame symptoms cannot be detected in lab tests and on x-rays. Textbook disorders and diseases may actually be a toxic load as a result of aspartame poisoning.

Ever gone to the doctor with real, physical symptoms, but he/she can’t find the cause? Well, it’s probably your diet, your environment, or both.

Aspartame is the common denominator for over 92 different health symptoms at the root of modern disease. The Aspartame Detoxification Program demonstrates the most effective way to reverse disease symptoms is removing the underlying cause - aspartame.

I counsel aspartame victims worldwide and have witnessed nine out of 10 clients restore their health by following the Aspartame Detoxification Program. Begin with detoxifying your body of all residual chemical toxins from aspartame's chemical make up of phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol and their toxic by-products, and see if any adverse health symptoms remain. Try the Aspartame Detoxification Program, and within 30 days your symptoms should disappear.

Steps:

Remove all sugar-free products with aspartame from your diet.
Learn to 'read' your body. Begin recording any health changes.
Get a hair analysis.
Be happy with yourself.
Detoxify.
Restore depleted nutrients.
Exercise and get plenty of rest.
Eat 75% raw foods at every meal.
Drink water, water, water.
Get control of your life.
I designed this Ten Step Program to help protect your health and the health of those you love from being seduced by the sugar-free diet craze. Wishing you good health.

What can you do about aspartame side effects?
Set an example by changing your diet.

Tell everyone you know.
Talk to the schools and day care centers. Offer to speak at parent-teachers meetings.
Contact your local, state, and Federal government representatives.
If you see someone with a diet drink, ask if they have had any of the typical aspartame side effects.
Spread the word at your work.
Distribute the Aspartame Consumer Safety Network and Pilot's Hotline
Tell your doctor about the scientific research available proving the negative side effects of aspartame.
Register a complaint with the FDA, the FAA, the NutraSweet Company about aspartame poisoning.
Return all food products with aspartame, opened or unopened, to your grocer. Tell him/her the products make you sick. The grocer can return them to the manufacturer for a store refund. The manufacturer should get the message. So, will the grocer.
Spread the word on computer networks.
Publish articles in newsletters at your church, place of work, or neighborhood association.
Set a personal example for health and wellness.