Diet soda is almost like a trick. It's a trick to our minds and bodies. Our minds think that drinking this diet soda will aid in our weight loss and our bodies think that they're getting the real deal. When our bodies think they're getting real sugar, it preps for it. This leads to elevated fasting glucose levels, metabolic confusion, and overconsumption. In all this confusion, your body could eventually realize that you are in fact ingesting fake sugar, so eventually it might stop trying to adjust for the sugar that isn't there. You might think that's great, but then when you do consume the real thing, your body is so confused at that point that it doesn't release any blood sugar regulating hormones to balance things out.
These diet drinks are also hard on our kidneys and hearts. Leading us to greater risks of heart disease, stroke, and of course diabetes. Weird, how a drink diabetics are almost forced to choose is not helping them at all. The person who's trying to lose weight? Also not getting much help from the "diet" drink.
Okay okay. I think we get it, or we don't. Either way, what else are our options?
Those who drink diet soda are typically doing it for one of two reasons:
- They want to be healthier/lose weight
- They want/have to avoid sugar
If you fall in the first category, here are some other options:
- Water
- Izze {or other carbonated real fruit flavored alternatives}
- 100% no sugar added juice
- Flavored waters {infuse it with mint, lemon, cucumber...}
- Avoid soda altogether
- Water
- Unsweetened Tea/Coffee
- Flavored water or carbonated water {mint or cucumber}
As you can see, water is the preferable choice! When I switched away from soda {not diet, just regular}, I first drank mostly Izzes. It was an easy switch, other than the lack of caffeine. Izzes became my number one drink and is now my choice when I desire a fizzy fix. From there I transitioned to drinking more and more water with less and less Izzes. Now, almost 100% of my drinks throughout the day are just plain water. Occasionally, I'll have an Izze or tea. On rare occasions I'll treat myself to a Coke when going out.
We already have so much to worry about in what we eat, I at least think that what we drink should be the least complicated part of our daily intake.
If you drink water, but not nearly enough. Check back here tomorrow for a post on how I have managed to double my water intake daily. I'll tell you tips that have worked for me personally.