Does Diet Soda Work For You?

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

While it is a reduction in calories, diet soda presents its own host of issues that can inhibit weight loss.

But if you have the ability to drink them in moderation (i.e. no more than 1-2 servings per day), it can be helpful.

But the jury is out that it may drive your sweet tooth crazy and drive cravings for those type of foods.

So if one of your dietary decisions is to reduce or eliminate sweets, failing to moderate your drinking of diet soda, could cause you to not succeed.

I don't drink it for weight loss purposes. I just can't stand the sugary content of regular soda. I'd prefer not to drink it all and was clean for a while. But I'm having problems drinking water this pregnancy and was having problem with juices and other types of drinks. So for now, it is what I have.

And I love the looks I get when I order a not-so-diet meal with my diet soda. I know they're thinking this woman is crazy.

I don't think they think a thing..you think?

heheheheheheh

Like I said before, it seems once you get used to the diet taste..the regular just seems so syrupy sweet!

nothing better than an In and Out double double with a diet coke! and fries!!!!

 

[acename]

While it is a reduction in calories, diet soda presents its own host of issues that can inhibit weight loss.

But if you have the ability to drink them in moderation (i.e. no more than 1-2 servings per day), it can be helpful.

But the jury is out that it may drive your sweet tooth crazy and drive cravings for those type of foods.

So if one of your dietary decisions is to reduce or eliminate sweets, failing to moderate your drinking of diet soda, could cause you to not succeed.

I don't drink it for weight loss purposes. I just can't stand the sugary content of regular soda. I'd prefer not to drink it all and was clean for a while. But I'm having problems drinking water this pregnancy and was having problem with juices and other types of drinks. So for now, it is what I have.

And I love the looks I get when I order a not-so-diet meal with my diet soda. I know they're thinking this woman is crazy.

This totally reminds me of one of my middle school teachers. She was my homeroom teacher and every single morning she would have a huge bag of cheetos and a DIET mt dew. I remember thinking "Really? Why bother with the diet if you're gonna eat that family size bag of cheetos? Will it really make that much difference?"

 

[autumnpalm]

I used to drink a LOT of diet sodas but have really cut back recently because I am wary of the side effects. I know they haven't been proven to be harmful to your health, but I would rather be cautious now. I stick mainly to water when I'm thirsty but if I do drink something with calories, I just count the calories in my drink as part of my daily total. No aspartame and my no extra calories.

 

[JoanGirardi]

I dieted and exercised and lost 40 pounds this year, and I still have my diet sodas. I gave up a lot of my favorite things to lose the weight, and I couldn't make myself give up the pop too. I do drink a lot of water, green tea, and fruit 2 O, but I also allow myself a pop or two if I want it. Bob and Jillian (from Biggest Loser) think it's evil no matter what, but I figure if that's my big splurge it probably won't kill me. I think drinking the diet stuff has got to be better than the regular. Coke Zero is by far my favorite.

 

[OK!]

God yes. Rather, I do not work without diet soda. I hate coffee, so in the morning to help wake up, I start in on the Diet Pepsi. I've been drinking diet soda for so long that I really don't care for the taste of regular soda anymore; it leaves me with an aftertaste now. Blech.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I'm not sure weight-wise, but I remember reading somewhere that the carbonation can cause bloating. That certainly seems to be the case for me...not only that, but I also get severe abdominal pain when I drink soda, regular or diet

 

[Jennasis]

I'm not sure weight-wise, but I remember reading somewhere that the carbonation can cause bloating. That certainly seems to be the case for me...not only that, but I also get severe abdominal pain when I drink soda, regular or diet

bloating? sounds like you ain't doin' enough burpin!

 

[Sparx]

i love the taste of diet, i can't stand regular soda. but when i first made the switch, i did lose some weight (10-20lbs?)

 

[a paper star]

I used to be a huge coke drinker (I could probably drink 6 or 7 cans a day!). Then I got hooked on Diet Dr. Pepper (It's the only diet drink I like). I haven't drank a soda of any kind since March, I gave them up. My grandma likes Coke Zero she says they taste like regular cokes.

 

[Schmeck]

Moderation, moderation, moderation.... That is the key!

Yes, there are possible side effects from drinking diet colas - artificial sweeteners aren't 100% in the clear yet, sugar cravings can increase, phosphoric acid in all colas can remove calcium from your bones (or something like that, not enough caffeine in me yet!). New thing in the news is that they think it can also cause kidney failure in the long run?

Anyways, I think one diet soda a day is OK - but if you are drinking 3-4 12 ounce bottles a day, you need to find a substitute. How about iced green tea?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I did it before and hated every second. This go around I am switching to water. I have the bloating issue as well.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

You get used to what you drink. I used to drink full sugar soda all the time. I couldn't stand the taste of diet sodas. No matter what the flavor or brand, all I could taste was the artificial sweetener.

One day, I switched to drinking nothing but water. It took me about a month before I got used to it. Now, regular sodas taste way too sweet. Diet sodas still taste nasty. I actually enjoy the water now. I like drinking water because it is cheaper, lower calorie, better for my teeth, and it is easier to clean up spills.

Whatever you choose, just stick with your choice for a few weeks and you'll get used to it.

 

[mhsjax]

I am 46, been drinking diet since I was about 13. My mom drank it from the time she was in her early 40's until she died in her 80's. We haven't had any problems yet. She didn't have any calcium depletion and so far neither do I.

I think just like everything else, it affects people differently. I love diet soda's and wont give them up completely. I try to drink lots of water, but I am sorry water doesn't cut it with a burger or pizza or foods like that. I will take my chances and live happy in moderation.

 

[Art 1]

I switched to diet coke about 5 years ago and now prefer it over "coke in a red can."

 

[Kit'smommy]

I can't stand the taste of the diet stuff. I have really tried to drink it, but just cannot do it.

I do believe a sugary drink can fit in well with a healthy lifestyle if it is factored in as a special treat. I eat reasonably well, exercise most days and splurge on my Coke a day and have never had a weight problem.

To me, it just isn't worth trying to get accustomed to a chemical laden beverage that I do like anyway.

 

[Jennasis]

I had the REAL stuff in Mexico...Coke made with cane sugar instead of HFCS. I thought I was going to go into a diabetic coma!

I tried to "get off" the Diet Coke a few years ago. Quir cold-turkey and managed to go through withdrawal so bad that it triggered chronic daily headaches. I mean blinding agonizing pain from the moment I woke up until I cried myself to sleep at night..every night...for a year. I finally saw a nuerologist and we figured out a treatment plan. I'll never give up the DC again.

 

[fairestoneofall]

i drink coke zero. i've gotten to where regular soda is too sweet. and i notice that, if i don't change anything else but diet versus regular soda, i am generally 2-3 pounds lighter on the diet. of course, now i do watch what i eat and am very careful or i will easily gain 10-15 pounds.

and honestly, there is so much stuff out there that is bad for us, i couldn't possibly avoid it all. if one thing doesn't kill me, something else will.

i do drink a lot of water. but i still have two coke zeros every day.

 

[kafitty]

i actually switched from Diet to regular and LOST weight.

of course...i've gained it back now.

but at that time, it really was the only lifestyle change i had made, and i definitely dropped a few pounds.

i think my body just doesn't do well with artificial sweetners & such, and on a personal level, i prefer "natural" flavors much more.

 

[Darsa]

I drink one can of Diet Coke per day, sometimes in the AM, sometimes with lunch. I try not to have any later in the day though. I have never, ever liked regular sodas of any kind, they've always been too sweet for me. I'm drinking a LOOTTTT of water now; what a difference it seems to make for my skin, my health and my weight.

 

[Angelhalo]

I switched to diet coke in high school and now cannot stand the taste of regular coke. On the down side, I think DC has a higher sodium content, and of course the phosphorous is bad for the bones...but I can't live without my diet coke.

Ditto, and I despise Coke Zero!

I only drink Diet sodas cause regular is tooooo sweet!