What's the story with Diet Coke

davef · #1 (**permalink**) 01-11-2008, 03:42 AM

Before I was diagnosed I drank Diet Coke all the time, I could probably have been classed as being addicted to the stuff.

I'm overweight and when I was diagnosed my Doctor sat with myself and my wife to work out how I was going to change my lifestyle and eating habits. One of the things he said was that I needed to cut out all "fizzy" drinks, even diet ones. At the time I was still coping with the sentence "David, I sorry we didn't catch this earlier, but from the tests it's clear you have diabetes" so I didn't think of asking if cutting out diet coke was related to losing weight or for better diabetes control.

Now I'm curious, I don't intend going back to the diet coke (it was the only "fizzy" drink I liked) but I am wondering why he said to cut it out, must remember to ask him next week.

Has anyone else been told to do this?

gambi · #2 (**permalink**) 01-11-2008, 04:21 AM

He probably told you to cut it out becuase of the artificial sweetner aspartame, if you googel aspartame you'll see why he's trying to steer you away from it. They have found the diet drinks made with artificial sweetners make you hungrier. And who knows what other problems they cause.

I myself have tried to cut back, but it's hard. I have switched to only drinking diet sodas with splenda and limiting them to only a few times a week.

Oh I've also heard that caffeine can raise blood sugar.

Pretty much everything some way or another is going to end up bad for you, it stinks.

ant hill · #3 (**permalink**) 01-11-2008, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davef

Before I was diagnosed I drank Diet Coke all the time, I could probably have been classed as being addicted to the stuff.

Yes I can remeber having an apple and TAB for the drink at the hospital when diagnosed.

Quote:

Now I'm curious, I don't intend going back to the diet coke (it was the only "fizzy" drink I liked) but I am wondering why he said to cut it out, must remember to ask him next week.

Has anyone else been told to do this?

MMMmm... Contry to beleve that if it's not water then it's not good for you.
I have been told that any fizzy drink is not good for you but then everything in moderration. Even fast food.

princesslinda · #4 (**permalink**) 01-11-2008, 06:23 AM

I have cut WAY back on my caffeinated beverages, but I still have to have my diet mtn dew in the mornings. The rest of the day, I drink water, but I can't/won't give up my morning wake-up drink! My doctor also mentioned that caffeine may cause my blood sugar to rise and that the diet drinks may stimulate hunger...but I still NEED that morning pick me up.

Alice · #5 (**permalink**) 01-11-2008, 08:40 AM

I drink a lot of Diet Cokes (I'm not a coffee drinker, except for dessert once in a while)...I've had no problems.

Jan B · #6 (**permalink**) 01-11-2008, 08:58 AM

Herbal teas without caffeine are making me pretty happy. Hot in the morning & cold in the afternoon!

Penny · #7 (**permalink**) 01-11-2008, 08:59 AM

It has little to do with Diabetes, but I used to drink Diet Coke every day, I quit because I was having stomach cramps everytime I drank one. I was told it was because of the caffiene, but I did not get cramps when I drank coffee. I did get them when I had a soft drink without caffiene, like RC. I decided it was the fizzy, though I do not have a problem with fountain drinks. I also do not have a BS increase after my 2 cups of morning coffee, or on the rare times I have a fountain drink or risk the stomach ache for a can of Diet Coke. I kind of think it is like food, some of us will have a problem, some will not.....you just need to test and see what it does to you.

yellowlab03 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 06:11 PM

Diet coke, well, any soda makes my chest feel "funny" I've never heard of the aspartame stuff, maybe that is what made me feel funny.

I'd kill someone in the morning if I didn't have my coffee though

. My wife has made me switch to that half the caf stuff... I think she is trying to ween me off of it and switch me to decaf... I love her, she looks after me

duck · #9 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowlab03

Diet coke, well, any soda makes my chest feel "funny" I've never heard of the aspartame stuff, maybe that is what made me feel funny.

I'd kill someone in the morning if I didn't have my coffee though

. My wife has made me switch to that half the caf stuff... I think she is trying to ween me off of it and switch me to decaf... I love her, she looks after me

...aka "Nutrasweet".

Nikky · #10 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 08:35 PM

I have heard about this, but never really bought it

After 28 years of frequently sweetening pretty much everything I have not turned green or starving yet and never seen any odd affects on my BG.
I have been a Diet Coke and caffeine addict since I were still in nappies.

Cyborg · #11 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princesslinda

I have cut WAY back on my caffeinated beverages, but I still have to have my diet mtn dew in the mornings. The rest of the day, I drink water, but I can't/won't give up my morning wake-up drink! My doctor also mentioned that caffeine may cause my blood sugar to rise and that the diet drinks may stimulate hunger...but I still NEED that morning pick me up.

Long live Diet Mountain Dew!

caswellhb · #12 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 09:58 PM

We all have to some sort of vice. In the absence of alcohol, sex, smoking,fast food and losing my temper, I think Diet Coke is quite acceptable really.

Heather.

pdxdennisj · #13 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 08:08 AM

I drink diet coke (actually Dr. Pepper) all the time. I have never had a doctor treating my diabetes request I stop drinking diet sodas. I have been warned about the sugar content in regular sodas. There are people on this board who's opinions are waaaaay outside that of the established medical community. There will always be a doctor here or there who will have a differing opinion on something. I usually to go with the thought of 98% of the educated establishment and not with the 2% of those who hold a contrary point of view. That goes for how to treat diabetes, heart disease and all my other ailments.

duck · #14 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdxdennisj

I drink diet coke (actually Dr. Pepper) all the time. I have never had a doctor treating my diabetes request I stop drinking diet sodas. I have been warned about the sugar content in regular sodas. There are people on this board who's opinions are waaaaay outside that of the established medical community. There will always be a doctor here or there who will have a differing opinion on something. I usually to go with the thought of 98% of the educated establishment and not with the 2% of those who hold a contrary point of view. That goes for how to treat diabetes, heart disease and all my other ailments.

Quoted for truth.

ladytaz · #15 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 08:24 AM

I have been drinking Diet Coke for YEARS, and LOTS of it. I pretty much drink it daily. Well more than a 6 pack a day! diet soda in general! Have been drinking it on a regular basis, since I was about 11 or 12 years old. I'm 43 now!

I've no tummy problems from it. [according to the "scientific studies", my stomach should have a hole in it, the size of an ocean!] It doesn't make me hungrier. It doesn't make my BG rise. Nothing. It's the ONLY drink I do not get sick and tired of.

I'll occasionally get Diet Dr. Pepper instead. But after about a 12 pack of those, and I'm ready again for my Diet Coke. I'll sometimes drink iced tea instead, after about a gallon of that (which is about 1 days worth) I'm sick of it. I don't like water, except for in the middle of the night, or if I'm REALLY hot. I'm not a coffee drinker, though, in the winter, I will occasionally have a cup or two. Usually with some hot chocolate and a couple drips of vanilla added.

Diet Coke is about the only thing that quenches my thirst.

Now, for those who have issues with caffine, carbonation, or aspartame. That is a whole different story. Of course, they should stay away from it, or anything with those ingredients in them!