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YES! I was on a diet after I had my baby. I drank a bunch of Diet Coke after a few nights of such little sleep and it made me gain a few pounds and did not come off for about 2 weeks. It was a major setback. I have been drinking only water (not even Crystal Light or anything) and I have managed to lose over 50 pounds. I've heard that Diet Colas make your kidneys swell or something like that - I don't know if that is true.
Water is always the best, but everything in moderation is my motto. I read the University at Berkeley Wellness Letter and Nutrition Action Newsletter published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. These and other sources say that excessive amounts (i.e. 50 cans a day) of saccharin was linked to cancer in rats, but typical amounts pose no measurable risks. The colas were linked to a higher risk of osteoporosis in several studies, but the latest report I read on the negated that finding.
Brewed iced tea is a good option. I watch my weight faithfully and use diet soda occasionally as a treat. Remember that it is very hard to absolutely determine the effects a food has because 1) study participants don't eat just that food and combinations of foods can change things, 2) study participants aren't very good at following the rules, and 3) they often don't keep good records. Keep things in balance and in perspective. Remember, even too many carrots will turn your skin orange!
Hmmmmm. Everyone keeps suggesting iced tea as an alternative, and I HATE HATE HATE tea of any kind - especially iced! Does anyone have another suggestion, particularly one with carbonation and (at least a little) caffeine? I don't like sparkling water, unless it has sweetener in it, which is probably no better than diet soda. I'd love to cut the soda altogether, since you all make valid points... but I need that caffeine boost in the morning, and only carbonated/cold drinks seem to quench my thirst. Sorry to hijack the thread, but this is relevant for the original poster too.
What about sparkling water and juice mixed together? You could slowly change the ratio til you're drinking mostly sparkling water. I also like lemonade and limeade mixed with sparkling water til they're weak.
That doesn't help with the caffeine issue though. FWIW, I did manage to kick the coffee/caffeine habit several years ago by slowly cutting down to one cup and then giving it up. I felt sleepy for 2 weeks but never had a headache.
Yeah, I know the caffeine is a bad habit I need to kick (or at least cut back on)... they should have a caffeine-aholics anonymous, LOL. I do like sparkling lemonade and juices, so maybe I can find one that's not equally full of sweetener & stuff. I'm not the type to make my own drinks, so that probably wouldn't happen - gotta find something I can buy & stick in my purse on the way to work!
Hmmmmm. Everyone keeps suggesting iced tea as an alternative, and I HATE HATE HATE tea of any kind - especially iced! Does anyone have another suggestion, particularly one with carbonation and (at least a little) caffeine? I don't like sparkling water, unless it has sweetener in it, which is probably no better than diet soda. I'd love to cut the soda altogether, since you all make valid points... but I need that caffeine boost in the morning, and only carbonated/cold drinks seem to quench my thirst. Sorry to hijack the thread, but this is relevant for the original poster too.
apples...apples....apples....Did you know an apple can get you started in the morning better than 2 cups of coffe or any kind of soda?? This is true....Eat an apple or look for "no preservatives added, all natural apple juice".
I read not only about the weight gain with diet sodas, but the pychological thought that since you've saved calories by drinking the diet soda, now you can splurge somewhere else..made sense to me...I think like that...and aspartame is causing a lot of health headaches for many...
Since water can be boring, you might want to try this. Squeeze 1/6 of a fresh lime wedge into the water...it makes for water with a bit of zip...but no calories...or precious few.
I read not only about the weight gain with diet sodas, but the pychological thought that since you've saved calories by drinking the diet soda, now you can splurge somewhere else..made sense to me...I think like that...and aspartame is causing a lot of health headaches for many...
Since water can be boring, you might want to try this. Squeeze 1/6 of a fresh lime wedge into the water...it makes for water with a bit of zip...but no calories...or precious few.
Good point about squeezing the lime. I actually buy lemon/lime juice at the store. It's easier than having to slice a lemon or lime and keeps longer.
One other point about diet soda....some theorize that the fake sugar in it actually makes people crave sugary foods, which leads to weight gain.
I'm a diet soda junkie and I drink LOTS of Orange diet soda like Sunkist. Never gained weight or had bad ill effects from lots of it! If I can't treat myself to nice candies, cookies, or ice cream, then I treat myself to a cold glass of diet soda.
Diet soda is harmless to me. My brother and Dad dranks lots of regular soda and got kidney stones; not me!
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Everything in Moderation`
I'd love to cut the soda altogether, since you all make valid points... but I need that caffeine boost in the morning, and only carbonated/cold drinks seem to quench my thirst. Sorry to hijack the thread, but this is relevant for the original poster too. 
I do like sparkling lemonade and juices, so maybe I can find one that's not equally full of sweetener & stuff. I'm not the type to make my own drinks, so that probably wouldn't happen - gotta find something I can buy & stick in my purse on the way to work!
