Benefits of cutting diet soda?

[Kittie]

I just have to say that I am a hardcore Diet Coke/Diet Pepsi addict. I have it with about 95% of my meals. I understand that Atkins advises to not consume aspartame, but I just can't stop.

I figured in the beginning, well, it doesn't have carbs or calories, I'll just see how it affects me. But now I've reached past week two and am stalling... I've been stalling for almost a week. I just wanted to ask you guys if you thought maybe the amount of diet soda I drink has anything to do with my weight loss slowing down? I exercise every day, over an hour of good aerobic activity, I've stuck to the diet pretty consistently and have been in ketosis the whole time (2 weeks).

What kind of benefits do you think I'd get from cutting the diet soda?

[bjs1976]

Re: Benefits of cutting diet soda?

Try it and see.....It is hard to say, unless you try. You will probably have a huge headache to start. Then see if you feel better, or lose extra pounds.

I would drink almost 24 diet soda a day. My dietician about died. It would curb my hunger all day. But at about 4-6pm, I tried to have my last one, due to bathroom issues all night long. Well, from there on, all I wanted to do is EAT.. I consumed more calories at night then all day.

Aspartame will act like sugar to your insulin levels, jsut liek sweets do. So having diet soda all day will cause spike and drops in your insulin and glucose levels all day.. So, watch out.

My dietician told me 1-2 a day would be less likely to have the effect, but this diets revolves around the glycemic index so I would shoot for no chances.

So, I have perhaps 1-2 a week, adn seem ok. But in no means do I drink it like I used too...

Sorry I don't have an answer, but I hope that helps.

[George919]

Re: Benefits of cutting diet soda?

Diet Coke has about 0.1 carbs and about 0.1 calories per 8 fl oz I think your problem lies with the 125mg of Aspartame. Heres the Nutritional Facts Sheet you will need adobe reader to open it.

http://www2.coca-cola.com/mail/gooda..._nutrition.pdf

[bizzlekitty]

Re: Benefits of cutting diet soda?

I was a hard core Diet Coke drinker for all my life. Up until 2 years ago, when I started Atkins. I went cold turkey, no more soda at all. Just water and tea on occasion and that's still all I drink.

I used to drink 12-24 cans* (cans, fountain, whatever) per day. I never drank water.

Probably the second best nutrition decision I've made in my life, second to Atkins, has been to quit the diet Coke.

It kept me from drinking water. It made me hungry and more thirsty. And who knows what all those chemicals and caffeine were doing to me? Aspartame is bad for weight loss (known staller) and very likely bad for your body as well. So is the caffeine.

One big difference I have noticed is that instead of having 3-4 glasses of diet Coke with a meal (ex. at a restaurant where you get free refills), I now only drink 2 glasses of water. I'm no longer needing so much liquid to make it through a meal. That alone has shown me that something wasn't quite right. It honestly seemed to me like it made me want to drink it more.

Water now tastes better to me.

I now have a diet Coke on rare occasions (ex. at the movies, I get a child sized drink) but it no longer tastes the same to me. I'm still skeptical of it even though you can get it with Splenda. It's still unknown what kind of effects soda has on the body long term and you can't count it toward your water total, so why bother?

Do yourself a favor and get rid of it. Not only will you save yourself some money, but you will drink more water (which is so much better for you) and will be MUCH healthier. It will be tough to stop, because it is an addiction. You will feel crappy for a few days, especially if you are used to the caffeine. Taper down gradually or switch to de-caf to help if you want. But in the end, get rid of it, out of your system, out of your house and avoid the other places where you want to get it (vending machines, convenience stores, etc.). If you feel tempted, get unsweet tea instead. Much better for you.

I think you will find many other ex-diet soda addicts here.

Good luck and let us know if you Kick the Can!

[jarcher]

Re: Benefits of cutting diet soda?

The book says to avoid caffeine especially during induction. I forget how much it says you can have, but I think it amounted to 1 cup of coffee daily. The caffeine causes cravings for sugar and the soda can prevent you from getting enough water.

[saab]

Re: Benefits of cutting diet soda?

my husband still has one diet coke per day and he has lost weight consistently. in about 2 weeks which we will finish this sunday , till now he has lost 16 pounds already. so maybe you can have 1 per day and not more than that. i myself was diet addict . i never drank water but now i am forcing myself to have 8 glasses somehow. so try and see !!!

[staziaw]

Re: Benefits of cutting diet soda?

Water helps flush toxins from the body and keeps the tissues hydrated. That would be the top reasons to drink a lot of it. Aspartame, on the other hand, doesn't do a single good thing for your body - not one. No nutrition, no hydration, no nothing!

I think I used to be way worse than all of you - I used to drink 32-76+ oz of COCA COLA a day. That's a huge amount of sugar and caffeine. Now, I allow myself a small juice glass of Fresca or Diet Rite White Grape in the evening on occasion, but only after I have consumed 100+ oz of water. I only do this because I love the carbonation!

Aspartame isn't a necessary component of your dietary needs. Remember that Atkins is about eating whole nutritious foods. I believe aspartame would qualify for the "Frankenfood" category.

I know it's hard to cut back, but please try it. More than likely, this is indeed what is stalling you!

Good luck!

Stacy