Diet Soda

I have been having some diet soda with lots of ice and seems to be cutting some of my cravings. I have read other places that I shouldn't start this bad habbit again. I want to hear others thoughts on this. I haven't had it for about 2 years, I guess I can stay away from it forever, I mean, I have only had a couple so far, it won't be hard to quit. Any information on this subject will be greatly appreciated.....Thanks!

I started back on diet/caffeine free soda about a 2 months ago. At first it was just a few sips over the day, then it was 2 bottles a day. Personally I do not see a problem with it in moderation, my problem was I did notice myself drinking less water. So I cut them out of my grocery list so it's not in the house, but occasionally I will grab one from the gas station. If you are not drinking decaf soda remember to drink another 8-16 oz of water per soda serving, and if you are doing decaf, still remember to get in your water. A general rule from the nutriionists in my support group are no more than 2 servings of caffeine a day (and even decaf still has some caffiene, so don't go hog wild on that either), and no carbonated beverages. But I do not agree with the sodas stretch the stomach theory - you have an opening on either end of your stomach, you burp to releive the pressure, it takes years of over eatting to stretch a stomach. I would agree early out, while healing and the first 6mnths or so avoiding the pressure and possible irritation and if it's a trigger food or a snack enabler, don't go there at all. To eat their own. M

I drink diet pop daily... even though I know it isn't probably the best choice. I do limit it to 1 a day. And like Michelle I find that then I drink less water when I drink pop during the day... I should take her advice and just not bring it in the house. I've not herad the theory that it stretches the pouch, and my dietian last week said diet pop was OK in moderation... which seems to apply to just about everything. I often wish I hadn't go back in the habit of pop, but sometimes you can only flavor water so many ways and it gets boring. Tracy A.

I'm scared of soda - only because it was a MAJOR trigger "food" for me. And I never liked diet soda, so it was always full sugar Coca Cola. I won't go near it post-op. That is a door I cannot open. Laura Soda free for 19 months....

I've been soda free for nearly two years, but only because it is a trigger food for me as well. I don't think it's inheriently bad. I know Tooter has some interesting stuff about soda on her Web site. She drinks soda and has remained at goal. On the other hand, I have read a lot about soda because my kids drink too much of it. I'm trying to change them to something else. The dark sodas are said to leech calcium from your bones. Secondly, I've read several articles about how the sweetners in diet sodas actually make you want to eat more sweets. I went off coffee for the first six months, but I drink it regularly now in the mornings. I just like the taste of black coffee, and I like the caffeine kick as well. My favorite is black Panera Hazelnut coffee, but it takes a lot of self control to pass up the goodies there. But I do. Each time I drive through and leave only with coffee, it makes me feel a little stronger. I think many overweight people are compulsive. You read of people who have surgery and then exchange a compulsion for food for other things -- smoking, drinking, circus acts on furniture (for Tek) etc. I just know I used to have a compulsion for diet soda and I just don't want to go there again. They practically had to pry it out of my hand for surgery, and I had to think long and hard if I could go without my diet coke for six months to have the surgery. That's ridulous. I personally just don't want to go there again. Joni

i consume a 24 oz bottle of caffeine-free Diet Coke every day. i've been drinking it since around 6 months post-op. My surgeon told me it was OK if I could handle the bubbles. I can't chug it like I used to pre-op, but I just take small sips and then belch. I drink plain water and Diet Coke. I've tried other diet drinks, but I'm not much for crystal lite or stuff like that. The little sip of Diet Coke satisfies some craving that I have, makes me stop searching for some food that will satisfy a craving and creates that little "click" in my head when it has been satisfied. Sue O.

Thanks so much for all the replys. Like I said, it does help me with other cravings. I am like the others who said if I am searching for something and I grab a cup of ice and some diet soda I am just as happy as if I grabbed a cookie. I have heard the tale about the sweetners making you want more sweets but I don't think that is very accurate. It doesn't effect me that way anyways. I think I will just grab it in moderation and let my Doctor know about it in August. She never said pop would be out forever.....but like about anything else, it is probably better to leave it out even if you haven't had wls. Thanks again....you guys are great!!!

I only drink it with Rum it seems to cut the carbonation down!!

My surgeon is fine with his patients having soda, but I'm just not a big soda drinker in general. Another doctor told me that NOBODY should drink soda because its just so bad for you. The acid in it is bad for the stomach and teeth. He said that selzter is OK because its just carbonated water - no chemicals.

I drink it all the time. Even regular and I have some cookies with it too. kp