No Soda (diet) - Fact or Fiction?

As far as your "frothy" protein shakes go, the pulse button on your blender is your friend. Just hit blend for a second and then again and again for a second or two until it is well mixed but not foamy. They taste much better and then you don't have the burping issue either.

I do drink diet coke....every day. I didn't for many years and fell back into the habit 2 years ago during a very difficult time in my life. I've had no problems, no regain (bounce back IS regain) and will probably continue drinking it unless it does cause a problem in the future.

Martha

Dear Betsy,

"No nutrition in DIET soda?"  There is no nutrition in ANY soda. The calories in regular soda come from high-fructose syrup, a metabolism-wrecker.

Having said that, I will very occasionally indulge in a very small serving (about 1/2 cup) of diet soda when I'm out, but never bring it into the house.  Iced tea comes in many flavors and is very satisfying.

By the way, I just had an endoscopy due to complications 6-years after RNY. (only liquids were getting past the pouch), and the pouch was intact, including the sutures. However, the outlet from the pouch to the intestine had narrowed to a pinpoint and had to be enlarged by a balloon.

Never thought there would be problems so long after the surgery, but I guess one must always remain vigilant to any changes.  Wish I had had the sleeve, but my insurance would not cover it in 2009.

Best wishes for the New Year, and a happy, healthy New You,

Maria

I am 4.5 years post RNY and have had NO carbonated beverages for the duration.  I loved diet coke and that is one of the only things I sometimes still miss. 

Why don't I drink it?  First, I was advised not to do so.  And I am sure that my success is because I followed directions to the letter, and decided not to make up my own rules.  Making up my own rules doesn't work.  I have done very well following the WLS rules, and for me, I am not going to start making exceptions to that because I don't know where that will take me.  Every time I visited this forum in the early days, the people that were having the most difficulty were often (not always) having it because they thought they knew better than their medical team. 

Second, it's not good for me and my health.  I have not seen one article anywhere that says that diet soda is good for my health. And I am in this because of my health.  I do not believe that I could be one of those people who have an "occasional" diet coke.  I am sure that I would go quickly back to having several a day, and then wanting more.  That's not a good mental state for me, so it's not worth it.  It's out of my life.

You asked for opinions, so that is mine and my decision making process.  I am incredibly grateful for this surgery and the impact it has had on my life and my health.  To me, nothing is worth changing that, and since I don't believe anything good can come of diet soda for me, it's not worth risking it. We have to work on our eating and THINKING behaviors, so this one of those for me.

Best of luck with your decision making process.  After 4.5 years, I would not do one thing differently.

I just tried carbonation again for the first time since surgery this past week and had some thoughts:

Pros:
-- It doesn't make me crave sweet things any more than before because I'd been drinking mostly Crystal Light anyway, which is also sweet.
-- If I pour the can into a glass from high up to get rid of most of the carbonation, it's not uncomfortable. I always like it pretty flat anyway.

Cons:
-- I won't do caffeinated soda anymore. I have on Crystal Light with Caffeine in the morning and make sure that's all the caffeine I get in a day. My sleep has been so much improved since I stopped drinking it at least 12 hours before bed.
-- I can't drink it as quickly as non-carbonated things, so I get less overall fluid in the hour it takes me to drink 12 oz. of diet root beer.
-- It has no nutritional value (although I'm not exactly malnourished to begin with).

Overall, I decided caffeine-free diet soda will be an occasional treat. I bought a 12-pack of Diet Mug root beer Monday and have had one so far. Soda has never been something I loved so much that it would make me fall down the rabbit hole. If it makes you uncomfortable or you find you can't moderate yourself with it, then I'd steer clear. Different strokes for different folks.