Cola light when on diet

[gustischafer]

So, I'm on a diet, which is more like just healthy food, in order to lose weight. This diet contains few calories, but enough (sometimes much) food in order to lose weight in a healthy way. I am supposed to lose like 8 kilos in 2 months and I've done this before. I was wondering if cola light is "permitted". I mean, if I drink cola light (containing less than one calorie) is this going to spoil my healthy diet based on reduced amount of calories?

 

[evanrick]

i look at soda like cigarettes. light is not safer.

 

[dangermouse]

You said it yourself, it's got less than 1 calorie, so drink as much as you like. The only consideration is that some people don't like artificial sweeteners because they may/may not increase the risk of some cancers. The jury is definitely still out on that point though.

Do try and up your water intake and lower the fake stuff though, because its just generally more healthy.

 

[SamsDad]

Please, Please, Please Stop Right Where You Are!!

Cola drinks aside, you really need to examine this "diet" and who is promoting it" . Even at 20 years old, 8 kilos in 2 months is way too much and potentially risky. See a doctor.

Roger

 

[BNW1985]

I've been losing some weight myself and have been wondering about this. I like Diet Coke and some of the Crystal Light drinks, all of which are made from artificial sweeteners. I've heard that they can be bad for a few reasons:

1) They make you want things that are sweeter, and so they actually cause cravings for things that are worse for you and cause you to overeat.
2) People think that because they're not getting the calories from the coke, they can overeat in other areas, which always ends up being more.
3) The body tries to metabolize the sweetener in some way that causes you to store fat more easily (I clearly don't understand this one, so looking it up would be better).

Of course, none of this has stopped me so far from drinking these things since all of the research is still debated and inconclusive. The first two reasons are still just a matter of willpower anyway, so as long as you know the "risks" going in, you can control it. I've lost about 8-9 lbs in 3.5 weeks and have been drinking the sweeteners for the last 1.5 or so. Haven't seen a noticeable difference, but then again, you usually don't from day to day...

 

[3nipples]

8 kg in 2 months works out to 1 per week and is do-able and nothing to worry about.

Diet coke contains a lot of salt and caffeine, so I wouldn't recommend you drink it every day.

Artificial sweeteners have side effects. Use them, but as sparingly as you can.

 

[AverageJoe]

It won't spoil your diet, but it's still best to avoid it. Sometimes it can stimulate hunger.

Then again, no sense trying to diet AND give up soda simultaneously if it's difficult for you. I'm just saying avoid it if that's easy for you.

 

[Audio Tech]

Diet or not, if you MUST have a cola, have the real thing. Your body knows how to metabolize sugar, not artificial crap.

Best is not to have any soda at all, though.

 

[Corny]

Just drink water, or if you want something sweet - unsugared fruit juices. But even them only in moderation, better just eat an apple!

There are many things uncertain about artificial sweeteners .. at the moment it looks as if they are not responsible for cancer, but people are still looking into it .. and other stuff - such as that sweeteners probably could make you more hungry because the body thinks because of the sweetness that he just had X calories .. but he hadn't so he wants them with the next meal ..

 

[gustischafer]

Thank you all very much! You really helped! I suppose 2 or 3 diet colas per week won't be bad.

 

[jizzeater]

1) They make you want things that are sweeter, and so they actually cause cravings for things that are worse for you and cause you to overeat.

I have found that to be true. When I drink a diet soda, I get really hungry an hour or two afterward (usually for something sweet), where I normally wouldn't if I was just drinking water.

 

[AverageJoe]

Diet or not, if you MUST have a cola, have the real thing. Your body knows how to metabolize sugar, not artificial crap.

It sure does! That's why Americans are so fat. At least we're good at something.

Seriously though, there's no proof artificial sweeteners are actually bad for you. The body doesn't know how to metabolize fiber either, but that doesn't mean it's bad for you.

 

[jeraldjamescapao]

Most of the Diet Colas today contain Aspartame, an artificial sweetener... and studies show it tolerates cancer cells to grow. So stop drinking Diet Colas, instead drink WATER, it's the solvent of Life. =)

 

[Trent0n1]

gustischafer...firstly, good luck with your diet. Trying to maintain a healthy weight is a good thing...whatever your motivation.

I'm curious though. Is it the coke you're after...or is it a fizzy drink? I've also been on a diet since Christmas and have so far lost 10kg. One way I've succeeded is by treating soft drink like it was when I was a kid...as a treat.

And for me...whilst I've had a couple of cans of Coke Zero in this time period, soda water and low joule cordial is a much healthier option.

Trent

 

[sonny10305]

No because light colas have more chemicals substitutes than full octane stuff. Don't be fooled. It is all toxic stuff and your body cannot use any of it beneficially.

I completely agree, you should not put artificial sweeters in your body.
The food we eat is often bad enough for us don't add to that by drinking chemicals.
Drink water, if you want a little added flavor add lemon

Good luck losing the weight and don't forget to excersise.

 

[gustischafer]

Thanks again everybody! You really helped. I have drunk just a few light colas and I can see that I don't need them actually. Just one now and then.

 

[mrcorbin]

There have been studies that have shown that people who drink the regular "coke" can actually lose more weight than those who drink the ones with the artificial sweetener.

But the diet counts calories. It is simple math -- lower your intake and increase the amount you burn. Simple diet. If you have the calories to spare and know you won't cheat - have the regular coke. But those are empty calories.

If you must have a coke and don't have the calories to spend - drink diet.

Simple as that! There was a time in my life when I weighed more. I lost over 40 lbs and that was without much working out (besides some outdoor activities). I have managed to keep it off and tone up significantly by hitting the gym with my friends instead of going out to eat!!

 

[gameboy 11]

Good topic.