Question:
Diet Soda, An Appetite Stimulant?

DOES DIET SODA INCREASE YOUR HUNGER? MY DAUGHTER IS GOING TO NURSING SCHOOL AND SHE TOLD ME THAT DIET SODA INCRESES YOUR APPETITE. MY DOCTOR GAVE ME THE OKAY TO DRINK IT, BUT I HAVE NOTICED SINCE I STARTED DRINKING IT, I SEEM TO HAVE A STRONGER APPETITE. ANY REPLYS WOULD BE APPREICATED.    — Gale G. (posted on December 2, 2002)

December 2, 2002
aspartame/nutrisweet does cause increased appetite in some people. You could try drinking Diet RC cola - it is sweetened with Splenda and may not trigger your appetite. One way to find out for sure if that is what is doing it, is just cut out the pop for a few days and see.
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 2, 2002
I've also read and heard that diet sodas can stimulate your appetite. If you've found that to be true for you, I'd cut 'em out quick! Also, many diet colas contain caffeine, which is a diuretic (sp?) -- in other words, it actually helps to dehydrate you if not countered with some other liquids. I admit I sometimes miss a diet cola, but there are other good, non-caffeinated, non-carbonated diet drinks out there that might work much better for you. Good luck!
   — Suzy C.

December 2, 2002
Hi, I just wanted to add my 2 cents and say that you should be more concerned about the carbonation than the caffine. Try a test for yourself. Fill a zip type baggie with soda and see if it bursts. Carbonation really does increase the likelyhood of stretching your pouch. If you keep soda (any kind) as a very rare treat there should be no problem. But really watch those bubbles......good luck, Keniki
   — Keniki B.

December 2, 2002
It does'nt make me hungry. However we are all differnt.
   — Danmark

December 2, 2002
Keniki - my surgeon assures me that my pouch has an opening to let food or drink in and one to let it out. Gas can escape from either of those openings *G*. The last time I looked, a closed Ziploc bag doesn't have any openings. Punch two holes in that baggie and you have a better approximation...
   — John Rushton

December 2, 2002
The caffeine in cola type sodas is an appetite stimulant.
   — LLinderman

December 2, 2002
Ruth and Linda are both right. Caffeine and artifical sweetners are both appetite stimulants. It is better to stay away from them if you can. Caffeine is also a diuretic, so you do not hold on to fluids that you need, that is why many doc's tell you that you can not include a caffeinated drink as part of your fluid intake. Good Luck!!
   — Vicki L.

December 2, 2002
Diet drinks also tend to have alot of sodium and will make you actually a little dehydrated and sometimes we mistake thirst for hunger. Michelle
   — Michelle A.

October 21, 2003
im 6 weeks post-op today and for me, diet soda helps me. I only get small hunger pangs twice a day and the thought of eating 3x's a day is unbearable so when i get a lil hungry, i drink about 4oz of diet soda and it keeps me full for hours.
   — mrsirizarry

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