Diet soda question?

My boyfriend has recently switched from regular soda to diet soda. He has lost alot of weight from it, but is this drink a good choice? I want him to start drinking water instead of diet, but he likes the taste and the bubbles of soda. Doesnt diet soda make you more thirsty because of the salt?

Diet soda is not a healthy drink.  Yes it may be less calories but is filled with chemicals: preservatives, colors, sweeteners.  It is even suspected to hinder weight loss by re-training your brain on how it deals with sweet food items.

  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/health/nutr ition/05symp.html

http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20050613/drink -more-diet-soda-gain-more-weight

Seltzer water is a nice alternative if you like the bubbles, maybe mixed with a little bit of (good quality) fruit juice like grape or pomegranate.  It would less calorie/sugar than soda but also less toxic than diet soda.

Diet soda is fine in moderation, but it is definitely not good to drink it all day everyday. I know its got alot of sodium and artifical sweeteners. I cut it out of my week, and I will only have some when we go out to dinner on the weekends and its worked pretty well. Remember, the less you have of something, the less your body craves it!

Maybe he'd enjoy sparkling mineral water made up with a little sugar-free squash? 

My husband made the switch from regular to diet and got the same results. He drinks coffee all morning and diet cola from about noon on. When it's really hot out, he switches to iced tea at work. I would love for him to drink water, but I have given up on that lost cause. I can just imagine the look he would give me if I suggested that he try sparkling water with juice in it... I'd have to run to the mirror to make sure I hadn't grown a 3rd eye! LOL

Yes, some people are rather set in their ways.   But why would that be such a bizarre suggestion?   What, after all, is the material difference between carbonated water flavoured with some evil brown syrup the recipe of which is a closely guarded secret and which a multinational spends billions each year on advertising or we wouldn't dream of drinking the stuff in the first place etc., etc., ... and carbonated (sparkling) water with a dash of lime cordial?  Other than the colour, of course.

Original Post by gi-jane:

Yes, some people are rather set in their ways.   But why would that be such a bizarre suggestion?   What, after all, is the material difference between carbonated water flavoured with some evil brown syrup the recipe of which is a closely guarded secret and which a multinational spends billions each year on advertising or we wouldn't dream of drinking the stuff in the first place etc., etc., ... and carbonated (sparkling) water with a dash of lime cordial?  Other than the colour, of course.

 Believe me Jane, you are preaching to the choir! Don't get me wrong, my husband has been wonderful through this weightloss/lifestyle journey, switching to lower fat/cal alternatives of many of his favorites for me. Even learning how to cook using healthier alternatives, and asking me where I want to eat out when we do so that I can make better choices for myself and really, for him and the kids as well.

But this is one that I just don't mess with... I can picture it on a Saturday night- "You want me to drink sparkling water and lime cordial with my whiskey?" LOL Actually, I might try it just to see his reaction.

I honestly think he is addicted to the caffeine, because he doesn't drink Sprite or Gingerale or any other pop either.  But that is something that he needs to address,  I can't make that choice for him.

i drink diet soda every day. i like it and its better than having the real thing.

Water is the best option, but diet soda is defiantly better than regular soda.  There is a lot of misinformation out there about article sweeteners.  If you read the articles that floataway posted there is no real evidence of anything contradicting drinking diet drinks.  The NY Times article really gives no information and the webmd article states that drinking diet drinks doesn't mean you'll automatically loose weight, you need to look at what you eat as well.  If you want some truthful information regarding article sweeteners look at the International Food  Information Council website.  Here is a link to their article on sweeteners:

http://www.ific.org/publications/factsheets/l csfs.cfm

I hope this helps some.

Original Post by makenasmom:

Original Post by gi-jane:

Yes, some people are rather set in their ways.   But why would that be such a bizarre suggestion?   What, after all, is the material difference between carbonated water flavoured with some evil brown syrup the recipe of which is a closely guarded secret and which a multinational spends billions each year on advertising or we wouldn't dream of drinking the stuff in the first place etc., etc., ... and carbonated (sparkling) water with a dash of lime cordial?  Other than the colour, of course.

 Believe me Jane, you are preaching to the choir! Don't get me wrong, my husband has been wonderful through this weightloss/lifestyle journey, switching to lower fat/cal alternatives of many of his favorites for me. Even learning how to cook using healthier alternatives, and asking me where I want to eat out when we do so that I can make better choices for myself and really, for him and the kids as well.

But this is one that I just don't mess with... I can picture it on a Saturday night- "You want me to drink sparkling water and lime cordial with my whiskey?" LOL Actually, I might try it just to see his reaction.

I honestly think he is addicted to the caffeine, because he doesn't drink Sprite or Gingerale or any other pop either.  But that is something that he needs to address,  I can't make that choice for him.

Your husband sounds exactly like my boyfriend! If I try to offer him carbonated water with juice in it he would look at me like I am crazy. Alot has to do with the fact that his parents gave him soda as a kid instead of water or juice. He doesnt see the soda as a bad thing. He does like powerades but I am not sure if they are the best choice either.

I know it's probably not healthy, but I'll confess. 

I drink Diet Coke.  I drink it all day.  When I'm at home it's Diet Caffeine Free Coke, and if they don't have it at a restaurant I drink Diet Pepsi.

The only time I drink anything else is when I'm working out I have a jug of water to sip on, and after my workout I drink a protein shake. 

I've been doing it for more than 20 years, and it hasn't hurt me that I know of.  I'm overweight, but losing by counting calories.  I've tried siwtching to water, but I can't stick to it. 

Original Post by ughfat:

Original Post by makenasmom:

Original Post by gi-jane:

Yes, some people are rather set in their ways.   But why would that be such a bizarre suggestion?   What, after all, is the material difference between carbonated water flavoured with some evil brown syrup the recipe of which is a closely guarded secret and which a multinational spends billions each year on advertising or we wouldn't dream of drinking the stuff in the first place etc., etc., ... and carbonated (sparkling) water with a dash of lime cordial?  Other than the colour, of course.

 Believe me Jane, you are preaching to the choir! Don't get me wrong, my husband has been wonderful through this weightloss/lifestyle journey, switching to lower fat/cal alternatives of many of his favorites for me. Even learning how to cook using healthier alternatives, and asking me where I want to eat out when we do so that I can make better choices for myself and really, for him and the kids as well.

But this is one that I just don't mess with... I can picture it on a Saturday night- "You want me to drink sparkling water and lime cordial with my whiskey?" LOL Actually, I might try it just to see his reaction.

I honestly think he is addicted to the caffeine, because he doesn't drink Sprite or Gingerale or any other pop either.  But that is something that he needs to address,  I can't make that choice for him.

Your husband sounds exactly like my boyfriend! If I try to offer him carbonated water with juice in it he would look at me like I am crazy. Alot has to do with the fact that his parents gave him soda as a kid instead of water or juice. He doesnt see the soda as a bad thing. He does like powerades but I am not sure if they are the best choice either.

Powerade, gatorade contain almost as much or as much sugar as a sodas do

The original question was about the salt content of Diet Sodas.  I have one in front of me as I type, and the amount of salt is very low at 50 miligrams.  That is less than 2% of the days recommended limit.  One would have to drink 50 cans to make a significant difference in salt.  Must ask you... do you eat crackers?  there is 5 times more salt in three stoned wheat thins than in one diet pop.

There's really nothing wrong with diet soda if drinken in moderation.  It's actually a good weight loss tool.  It's like a treat, the carbination fills you up and it's a nice change from water.  The only thing you have to be careful about if don't let it trick you into thinking that just because you're drinking a diet soda, means you can slack off on your eating or a meal and eat junk food later on because you're "saving" calories now.  And if you get a sugar craving after drinking it, just brush your teeth, that's all it really takes.

Good luck!

Original Post by karozel:

I know it's probably not healthy, but I'll confess. 

I drink Diet Coke.  I drink it all day.  When I'm at home it's Diet Caffeine Free Coke, and if they don't have it at a restaurant I drink Diet Pepsi.

The only time I drink anything else is when I'm working out I have a jug of water to sip on, and after my workout I drink a protein shake. 

I've been doing it for more than 20 years, and it hasn't hurt me that I know of.  I'm overweight, but losing by counting calories.  I've tried siwtching to water, but I can't stick to it. 

 truth be told i'm on the same boat, but ive been trying crystal lights the energy one and the one that help you go you know like i gatta go now?! but i know water your safest bet but it is hard!!