I have a bit of an Achilles' Heel for Diet Coke. I don't drink it as much as I used to, but when it's around, I go through a case in just a couple days. I always took solace in the fact that it has no calories. I just watched a video by Frank Dobner at Male Weight Loss Now.
I had read some of this information before, but Frank makes a pretty convincing case.
My weight loss journey isn't just about eating less food, it's about eating the right foods. Michael Pollan's recent book, Food Rules, suggests not eating anything with ingredients that a 5th grader can't pronounce. Highly processed foods, while not necessarily higher in calories, contain chemicals that, while approved by the FDA, probably aren't as healthy as fresh fruits and veggies. Back when I was in Weight Watchers, the woman running the meeting said that you could spend all your points on ice cream if you really wanted, but you probably wouldn't lose any weight and you'd be hungry all the time.
I'm going to make soda a special treat and only buy it one bottle/can at a time. I also think I'm going to stick to soda with fewer man-made chemicals. Calorie free isn't worth the trade-off for me anymore. If I want a sweet drink, I'll budget for the calories. I'm not saying I'll never have another Diet Coke, but I will definitely think twice the next time I'm at the vending machine.
Why would anyone drink Diet Coke in a world where root beer exists?
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning Michael Pollan & his books. They've been so crucial for me in developing my understanding of my relationship to food. The Omnivores Dilemma & The Botany of Desire are also favorites of mine.
ReplyDeleteI've been ghost reading your blog for about a year now & I'd like to say that I think what you're doing is great & good job with how far you've come. You're an inspiration & a big reason why I decided to make a blog for myself (whycountcalories.blogspot.com).
Take care!!
-Pearl
That sounds like a good resolution; thanks for passing along the video. My Diet Coke addiction is even worse. I probably drank about a case each work day for years. Everyone in the office knew I always had two at a time at the desk because if I only took one can out of the fridge on each trip, I would spend half the workday walking to and from the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on cutting it down. I'm only at 10 days of better eating and walking so far, but I'm capping at 6 cans of Diet Coke, each chased with a quart of water. Baby steps.
I second Pearl's sentiments; your starting and goal weights are very near my own, and I will be happy to do as well as you have! (Though no diving into frozen lakes for me.)
I have read In Defense of food by Michael Pollan. I would love to read his other books. His food philosphy is great and I really try to think about that when I choosing what to eat.
ReplyDeleteI've always been a big soda fan. Diet Dr. Pepper and diet Rootbeer are my favorites! I've also agreed to make soda a "treat" or on Saturdays which is my free food meal.
ReplyDeleteOther than that I've switched to iced tea mostly. I make a pitcher in the morning, add a few Truvia sweeteners to it, and drink it throughout the day. Its got less sweetener than diet so doesn't trigger my cravings as sometimes the soda does. I like soda, so not eliminating it completely.
It goes back to having to find your own balance and what works best with your body! Great post!! :)
I hope you can stop drinking soda altogether. I kicked my DC habit about 6 months ago and have had about 4 or 5 since. It's so sweet, that I just can't drink it anymore.
ReplyDeleteAre you drinking tons of water? I try and drink about a gallon a day and can't tell you how good I feel all day long. So energetic!
Only buying one can at a time is a great challenge, good for you. I'm the same way, if I have a six pack in the fridge, I'll drink every single one til their gone.
Roxie-Girl
I used to hate anything with the word "diet" in it and definitely didn't like the aftertaste of diet soda. I was a Mt. Dew fanatic and drank A LOT of it daily. I decided that I had to quit that and I started drinking diet coke and now can't stop that!LOL But I see it as the lesser of two evils. Though I did hear on TV recently that now they say that diet sodas..something in them..can cause strokes.:( It's always something....
ReplyDeleteBetter drink water than diet water
ReplyDelete