Diet Soda - HELP

Can someone answer a question for me, I drink my 64 oz of water a day plus drink two decaf teas a day after I drink my water I treat myself to a diet soda. I do NOT drink alcohol. Everyone is giving me a hard time about drinking the diet soda? Is it really that awful for me with my above daily habit? Please let me know

This is just one of 14mln hits on Google: http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/diet-soda-may-be-making-you-fat-2504019.html

Today I read an article that diet sodas make you more hungry because your blood sugar level increases very quickly. Besides your 'taste for sweetness' gets out of balance, so when you drink sodas often, in an while, everything sweet will taste less sweet, which might make you adding more sugar to your meals.

Suggestion: make a jug of water with a slice of lemon or lime in it.

On the other hand, it isn't that awful in my opinion (you're not hurting anyone with it), so why change it?

I've heard all the "suggestive" hype about diet soda, but I've drank diet soda for many years and still lost weight and never had any issues with it. We all have our own unique chemical make-up in our bodies, so what effects one person negatively doesnt necessarily mean it will effect us all that way. That is my opinion on it.

Since diet soda has zero calories, by definition it cannot make you gain weight any more than breathing can. I guess it can have other effects, but there's been nothing proven on the topic. I'd argue that it's much better to drink than regular soda.

There have been studies that show that diet soda stimulates the same parts of your brain that sugar does. The taste of sweetness tells the brain to get ready, we have some sweets coming, we are going to need insulin. Then the sugar does not show up. So our brain sends signals to our stomach that we are hungry since we did not get the calories we expected to show up. That is the way I understand it anyway.

I cut diet sodas out of my life a few years back. Like you, it was only one can a day. But in the end, I personally feel better for eliminating it. Do some research outside of this site, and see what feels right for you.

One possibility is to switch to flavored, carbonated water. Walmart has some good flavors, reminds me of the old Clearly Canadian.

One can a week may not be bad, but I had a 1-2 32oz Big Gulp/day habit, and I have been doing much better having eliminated it completely about two months ago.

If you go to Walmart you will find a generic brand of crystal light called great value. It is cheaper than crystal light and if you get the naturally sweetened variety calories are minimal. They sweeten it with small amounts of sugar and stevia. That's my alternative to diet soda. I carry those packets with me in my purse. Otherwise if available I'll have vitaminwater zero..also naturally sweetened.

I was a pop junkie! The waters from Wal Mart are fine, but still have some form of artificial sweetener added. If you are hooked on the "bubbly" aspect of pop, try LaCrox flavored soda water! All the bubbles, nothing artificial. If it's the "Pepsi" or "Coke" flavor, have one & input it in your diary. Just don't buy it and keep it @ home. Purchase single bottles as a treat. The purpose of this web site is to help you "Change you lifestyle" not DENY yourself what you want. The minute you think of something as taboo...then it becomes your enemy. Everything in moderation===this is not a punishment===this is you for the rest of your life!!!♥

Since giving up artificial sweeteners, I allow myself one regular soda/week, while eating out with my wife.

I'll have to agree with halfraz. I substitute diet drinks for sodas with sugar. I don't count them, but it is probably around two a day. I've lost almost 30 pounds since January so I can definitely lose weight and still drink them. I have no idea if there are other harmful effects but hindering weight loss is not one of them, at least for me.

I tried the LaCroix stuff, tasted like the bottom of my shoe. Ugh.

It's not just the insulin impact that makes diet sodas an unwanted part of your diet. Granted, everyone, from time to time, will consume something they shouldn't. You shouldn't beat yourself up, and don't allow anyone else to beat you up either, about not being 100% perfect when it comes to what you drink. Is it idea to have the occassional diet soda? Of course not. Is it going to destroy your health? Most likely not by itself. When it comes to soda, especially diet soda, I personally avoid it as much as I can because of the chemicals. If it's zero calorie and it's not water or tea, it probably has things in it that I don't want in my body.

Are their better options? Of course! Do I care? Not really lol. I used to drink a TON of regular soda. I was young, stupid and skinny lol. I also developed hypoglycemia. I have switched to diet and zero's for many years. I do at times drink flavored seltzers, etc but I love my caffinated colas. It is definitely the lesser of the evils.
For some people it can make you crave more sweets, I can see how that would happen. I myself use it to relieve that want for sweets. It acually keeps me from grabbing far worse options. I guess you just have educate yourself and know what works for you.

What insulin impact?

I'm probably going to come across as one of the health nut snobs for saying this, but MY biggest problem with soda is the GMO products used (High fructose corn syrup in regular cola), as well as the nasty effects associated with sugar substitutes (not to mention, they are still high on the glycemic index).

If I want a "treat", I go for a throwback pepsi (which uses good old fashioned sugar) or an organic soda brand name like zevia (which uses stevia as the sweetener, which is low on the glycemic index).

Calories & carbs are not nearly as important as maintaining a proper blood sugar. All those spikes & crashes cause cravings at best and shuts down metabolism at worst. Good luck & happy dieting.

I totally love diet Pepsi....I can go without for a while but inevitably I end up buying some. I limit it by drinking seltzer water and adding a 1/2 cup of orange juice. This gives me the carbonation and some flavor. BUT I still drink the diet once in a while. My biggest concern over the diet drinks is the chemicals used to make it "diet." I have a feeling it's not so good for us to be putting into our bodies.

I totally agree that the chemicals are bad for us. Sodas take calcium out of your bones to neutralize the acid in them. I was told by a health proffessional that it takes a lot of water to neutralize the soda (I'm old can't remember how many oz) but it was enough to make me quit soda. Maybe once or twice a year I'll drink a Barqs root beer.

I use to drink regular Pepsi like I was attached to an IV. Now I drink Diet Dr. Pepper the same way. Does my doctor care? I'm sure she does but when given the option of what I wanted to drink I think she's much happy with the choice I made.
Right now I'm worried about losing weigh, low carbs and stable sugar levels. Soon it will be all about what I am stuffing in my body but I'm not going to stress out myself worrying about it.
I would tell everyone, "those in glass houses should not be throwing stones". I'm sure they do things that others consider unhealthy or unwise. We all have things we turn our noses up at but hey, to each his/her own I say.
I also wanted to chime in on the whole "taste like sugar-want sugar-need to eat thing". I have never been a big sweets eater. I don't crave them often. I think this is because my brain all ready thinks I'm getting them. Drinking pop does not make me hungry. In fact I think it has the opposite effect. I struggle since I cut out regular pop with getting enough to eat a day. I use to drink my calories now I have to eat them. It makes a HUGE difference!

The problem with any soda is the acid, which makes it harder to lose weight. I use Advocare Spark mixed with greens and chia seeds in the morning. The Spark has some caffeine and the Greens also give me energy. I put the water in the blender turn it on and then add the seeds, Spark, and Greens. The blender breaks down the Chia seeds so they swell. Sort of a tapioca consistency. Tastes good. Chia seeds are also a nice source of energy.