Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

[dixie77]

I just recently had a diet dr pepper. The first time I did Atkins I had nothing to drink other than water but this time I just seem to be craving sodas. I would normally not even touch anything with aspartame in it but this is my 2nd one in less than a week. My question is how bad a habit do you think this is assuming it leads to nothing else illegal and doesn’t make my cravings worse? I would really like to have one with dinner every now and again. They also make caffeine free diet dp but I think I must be craving the caffeine. It seems to help with my sugar cravings.

[julirama723]

Re: Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

Caffiene is addictive, and, take it from me, a past Diet Dr. Pepper addict, you should give this stuff up cold turkey. I think it's wise to wait until later on in the plan if you want to add it in, but you've just recently started.

[ducky1990]

Re: Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

Glad to see I am not the only diet DP addict. Used to drink the stuff ALL DAY LONG!!!!

[mrs.davis1021]

Re: Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

My biggest problem used to be pop (or soda, depending where your from) especially Dr. Pepper. I would drink it all day and all night long. I think I probably went weeks without drinking a single glass of water. I know, I know, its terrible. Thats probably how I ended up with a kidney stone at the age of 24. So anyway, when I started this WOE the first time around I figured that I would try to drink a diet DP here and there. But lucky me, I tried it, and I HATE diet pop. It's so disgusting to me. So I'm lucky. I don't want it at all. But I do occasionally have a glass of tea sweetned with splenda. I'm a tea junkie, so it's really hard for me to let go of it. I happy to say though, that I actually crave water now. Its a good feeling.

[cherribom1]

Re: Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

"Dr. Pepper.... just what the doctor ordered"

[julirama723]

Re: Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

dixie77--Sorry I cut my earlier post short! My break was over and I had to get back to work.

Oh I was a TOTAL addict, and it was specifically Diet Dr. Pepper. I would drink probably 8 cans a day. And of course, during this time, I was drinking no water. When I started Atkins, I thought I'd let myself have a treat for being so good--so I refused to give up Diet Dr. Pepper. Then I started reading all of the info on this board about how caffiene inhibits weight loss, and that the sweet taste causes a craving for other sweet things--I gave it up right then and there. I went through TERRIBLE withdrawal. I felt like crap, even worse than I had with induction flu. I would FANTASIZE about drinking a can...the sweet taste, that peppery fizz...no joke, I would daydream about it. But after a few days I got over it. I haven't had a can since. That's not to say I never will...but even now, 8 months later, I'm really nervous that one taste will set me back into that addictive pattern.

[dimar97]

Re: Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

uugghhh - I'm drinking one right now! and feeling a little guilty... I don't drink a ton of pop - this is my second all day and its after 9pm. I also had 2 waters with lemon and two crystal lights during the course of the day today, for whatever that is worth. Some days I don't have any (diet pop) but its that last little bit of sweetness I am hanging on to. I guess everything in moderation for me. I can't go cold turkey with many things but the longer I am "good" overall the more I am encouraged to try letting go of yet another thing from my past life. My weight loss seems to have stalled - or I am in a slump - I haven't been able to figure out the difference. But I guess I should make this my last ddp for a while and see what happens, huh?

[liftinguru]

Re: Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

I don't think caffeine inhibits weight loss--I think it accelerates it if anything. That's what the research shows, anyway.

In the original Atkin's book, aspartame was warned against because it "increased sugar cravings" and Dr Atkin's believed this would lead to people going off the diet. That being said, no scientific evidence (nor even a reason beyond this) was given that says aspartame sweetened drinks would stall weight loss or make the diet not work.

For me, I do not crave sweets. I do crave caffeine, and I don't go on this diet to end all addictions, I do it to lose weight, and I lose weight fine with diet sodas. I do, however, drink at least 8 glasses of pure water per day, and usually do so before I have any diet soda. This way I will won't be inclined to skip the water in favor of the soda. I think if you have success with what you are doing, you should keep doing it until you don't.

[dixie77]

Re: Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

I don't think caffeine inhibits weight loss--I think it accelerates it if anything. That's what the research shows, anyway.

In the original Atkin's book, aspartame was warned against because it "increased sugar cravings" and Dr Atkin's believed this would lead to people going off the diet. That being said, no scientific evidence (nor even a reason beyond this) was given that says aspartame sweetened drinks would stall weight loss or make the diet not work.

For me, I do not crave sweets. I do crave caffeine, and I don't go on this diet to end all addictions, I do it to lose weight, and I lose weight fine with diet sodas. I do, however, drink at least 8 glasses of pure water per day, and usually do so before I have any diet soda. This way I will won't be inclined to skip the water in favor of the soda. I think if you have success with what you are doing, you should keep doing it until you don't.

That is what gets me...why no caffeine on Atkins...if it dosen't lead to cravings then why only decaf coffee and tea...I am much more plesant with a little caffeine in my system...I can understand the no aspartame but why splenda. Splenda is still an artificial sweetner...why not recommend stevia. Maybe stevia is not good for cooking.

[cocobelle]

Re: Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

You have to go with what works for you. As you go along, you'll find things that stall you, and things that don't.

I'm lucky - I'm able to drink the diet sodas and shakes and eat the bars without problem. (note: everything in moderation, and counting my carbs).

Hubbie - however - is not. Everything seems to stall him. Out of respect for him, I limit my intake, but not completely, you know?

Remember that caffeine is also a diuretic. Your body uses water to fuel the process that burns fat. When you drink the caffeine, the soda/coffee begins to compete for the water. That leaves less water to help burn fat.... leads to less fat burning potential. If you choose to drink the caffeine, be sure that you are taking in enough water to cover both the ketosis and the caffeine metabolism. (I read somewhere that you should drink an extra 2-3 glasses of water for each caffeinated beverage).

[dimar97]

Re: Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

good to know!

[Grant]

Re: Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

I think stevia wasn't really known much when Dr. Atkins wrote the last book? I've seen stevia recommened here on the board as a good alternative to splenda and I personally do take a couple drops of liquid stevia in my occasional tea.

[liftinguru]

Re: Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

I think stevia wasn't really known much when Dr. Atkins wrote the last book? I've seen stevia recommened here on the board as a good alternative to splenda and I personally do take a couple drops of liquid stevia in my occasional tea.

I think that's true. If I remember right, in one of his older books, he gave the seal of approval for one diet cola, and I think it was Diet RC, because of the sweetender they used. Although this might have been a different lowcarb book. I have read them all.

[daquix]

Re: Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

I just recently had a diet dr pepper. The first time I did Atkins I had nothing to drink other than water but this time I just seem to be craving sodas. I would normally not even touch anything with aspartame in it but this is my 2nd one in less than a week. My question is how bad a habit do you think this is assuming it leads to nothing else illegal and doesn’t make my cravings worse? I would really like to have one with dinner every now and again. They also make caffeine free diet dp but I think I must be craving the caffeine. It seems to help with my sugar cravings.

I am going to disagree with the other responses in this thread and say that I don't believe diet soda's are too big of a deal. There are people whom, Soda's will effect to a high level, but considering that you are only consuming about 2 per week, and youre only trying to lose 10 pounds, i don't believe it is a problem at all. Those are my .02 cents.

[CAbubba]

Re: Diet Dr Pepper? How bad is it?

It all depends on how you can handle it. Aspartame and splenda stop me dead in my tracks for weight loss. It also makes me start craving sugar very intensely. If you don't have much to lose, and it doesn't stall, AND won't cause cravings, it's up to you.

At least drink your water though, Diet Dr. Pepper is no substitute.