wholefoodnut's Journal, 31 July 2015

Wow -- I've been a big soda drinker and I'm now thankful for not acquiring that addiction/habit1 

I rarely used to drink Coke or anything similar. However we go to pubs a lot to hear live music, and I really like beer! But now I'll have a beer, maybe two, but after that I drink Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi. One is enough, as I don't really like the taste of sweeteners, and also I think I'm just drinking a bunch of chemicals! But there are no calories, no sugar, and I can't fancy water or tea when I'm in a pub so it seems like a good option. I sometimes ask for a diet coke at the end of a meal, too, as it satisfies the sweet cravings without doing any damage. 

I don't drink any pop either but I do like my beer. I usually drink light beer so not quite so many calories. The beer I bought ran out yesterday so no more for me for awhile. Water and iced tea.  

There is no other word for it, I used to be ADDICTED to Diet Coke. There was one by my side all day long, and one on my night stand at night. Just over a year ago I gave them up completely (cold turkey) and switched to flavored water (infused with fruit or green tea) and I'm so glad I did! I wasn't able to read the Huffington Post article, but I'm sure they couldn't have anything good to say about drinking coke. 

Good article, thanks. I wonder if diet coke has the same effects? 

No clue but artificial sweeteners are not the best thing for you. I've pretty much cut out using them, some I couldn't anyway, asparatine is a migraine and asthma trigger for me and many others. I don't drink soda, it was something a friend posted on facebook I thought was interesting and might benefit some here.  

I don't do much of sodas but will admit to a little diet ginger ale mixed with fresh iced tea and fruit slices. 

mmm ginger ale, iced tea and fruit, that does rather good. I'd probably try the regular sweetened one. ;)). You've just triggered me to make some mint tea. Taking a break from painting, will have to go outside and cut some mint. I'm wanting something besides plain water this afternoon.  

Diet coke doesn't contain sugar, so you don't get the sugar rush, insulin effects and post-sugar let-down. It does contain caffeine and phosphoric acid, so you do get the effects related to those. Plus it contains sweeteners, which may have harmful long-term effects, or allergic effects like Jeri mentions. The article doesn't mention that the phosphoric acid is bad for tooth enamel, so you shouldn't drink any kind of coke too often, and it's probably a good idea to rinse your mouth out with water after drinking it. Same goes for acidic fruit juices like orange, lemon, pineapple etc. (Some of those also contain a lot of sugar, by the way.)