One of my theories on life, is that diet soft drink, in particular Diet Coke and Coke Zero, are going to be the nicotine of my generation.
I believe that in the years to come, it will be revealed that big corporations have been aware of the addiction and health issues connected with phenylalanine and that they are equally as detrimental to health as nicotine. And, that like nicotine, in the race for the mighty buck, companies turned a blind eye to the health risks (maybe even hiding them under the carpet) and continued to financially benefit from people's addictions.
Let's face it, a chemicals that make a sweet drink free of calories and the additional caffeine cannot possibly be good. In fact, a doctor that my mother saw a couple of years ago, said that Coke (despite it's sugar levels) is preferable to the diet options which he considered paramount to poison.
Don't get me wrong, I actually like the stuff. In fact, I would almost admit to a slight addiction myself. I crave it as a quick pick-me-up in the slump of my work afternoon, and I get a headache if I don't have one. It is probably my drink of choice when I go out, as I don't often drink alcohol. I don't drink a lot of it, but regardless, knowing it can't possibly be good for me, I should have given it up years ago.
The final straw (ha ha) was an article I saw on tv recently where a young woman was talking of her addiction to Coke Zero. She drank 70 (yes SEVENTY) litres every week. That's 10 litres every single DAY! Crazy!
She can't even remember the last time she drank water. She admits to bad moods and headaches if she doesn't drink it. In fact, when her partner didn't buy it one week, she hit him in her fury!
The health official on the show (asked for his professional opinion), said that the additives in the drink, had the worrying side effect of disturbing the absorption of calcium into the body and thus will have a serious effect on her future bone density. And other side effects too including weight gain!!! Seriously!
So why am I drinking this stuff? Well, I have been asking myself the same thing for months without any reasonable answer, and so on May 31st, I drank my last Coke Zero. I'm going cold turkey. And on June 2nd I'm doing ok. No hissy fits or cold sweats. Mostly I'm feeling a little bit pleased with myself. A bit like giving up cigarettes for a smoker.
But now, I am looking for an alternative, because I still would like to have something with a bit of fizz sometimes. I have heard of a brand called Zevia which is a natural diet soft drink alternative and I have a friend who says it's good.
Any other ideas anyone? I would love to hear about them.
9 comments:
Here, here, I also can't understand the diet thing, and only drink full strength 'old school' Coke in a can or glass jar. Those chemicals can't be good for you! But I try hard not to drink it, can you imagine that woman's teeth, too? Mount Franklin do a lightly sparkling water now, I drink a lot of mineral water, then I get the fizz (which I think is part of the addiction) with no chemicals, a bit of salt is probably the most I get. With fresh lemon it's divine! (Little Miss swears by it, too)
Get yourself one of those soda stream fizzy drink makers...
Carbonated water and add whatever flavours you choose... Or none at all...
I don't know much about diet drinks as I'm too scared to drink them... all those artificial chemical sweeteners can't possibly be good for anyone.
I think you might be on to something there. Who knows what all of this stuff will have done to us all in fifty years.
I'm not a BIG fizzy drinker but I do get the occasional craving for something with bubbles. Sometimes just plain lemonade will do it for me. :)
Hey, on reading htis I had to add that my sister was addicted to the diet coke, pretty much stoppe din her tracks with a visit to her dentist after discovering three holes...On a lighter note :-) try a not so sweet tasting drink like the Italian range of Limonatta (please correct me on spelling and actual name here?) or my fav for a fizzy pick me up 'Chinotto" slightly cola style with an Italian twist..
I'm afraid i'm no help, i've never been a soda drinker. but i agree, the chemicals sound scary and very unhealthy. maybe try perrier or any water with gas and add a little lemon or lime.
good for you quitting!
good luck, I know it will be difficult and you are braver than me.
I am a coke zero addict and can't see me kicking the habbit anytime soon
Since college, I've had an on and off a taste for Diet Coke myself--but in the past several years something about it has changed for me. Maybe I've started tasting all the chemicals, but I really can't stand it anymore.
For a good fizzy drink, I love mineral water with some mint or lemon or even a sprig of two of lavender. Sometimes I add a little lemonade if I want it to taste sweet without that fake sugar taste.
I know what you mean - A few years ago I had to give up on V - that gurana caffine drink in the green cans. I was getting headaches when I didn't have it. So yummy though! Now I just have it for special treats. Good for road trips!
I got sparkling mineral water this afternoon and was pleased to be reminded how good it is; gives you the fizz, and a nice tart tang without the sugar, or any crazy chemical sweetners, or artificial colours and flavours. I'm going to try that a bit more often.
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