Contrary to what TV commercials may tell you, diet soda is not the key to weight loss. Nor does it prevent weight gain. The ugly truth behind this myth is that drinking diet soda is strongly linked with overweight and obesity.
New research studies suggest that even though your favorite diet soda has about 5 calories per serving, drinking sweet-tasting beverages – including artificially sweetened ones – apparently leads to a higher preference for anything sweet. As your body gets used to the sweet taste of diet soda, you will start craving more sweets, and eating sweeter snacks means consuming more calories, which of course leads to weight gain.
A study conducted by the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio (2005) claimed that people who regularly drink diet soda gain more weight, instead of losing extra pounds, as some expensive ads suggest. Additionally, the research asserts that, “There was a 41 percent increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each day.”
People who think that going on a “diet-soda” diet will help solve their weight gain problems are highly mistaken. Weight gain is caused by poor eating habits, not regular non-diet soft drinks.
As nutrition expert Leslie Bonci said, “Look at what’s on your plate, not just what’s in your glass. Diet drinks aren’t diets.” If your only attempt at reaching your ideal weight is to switch to a diet soda, then you will not lose those unwanted pounds.
The next time you eat out with your friends, don’t think it is okay to overeat just because you ordered a diet soda. It doesn’t work that way. Watch what you eat and make sure you stick to your daily nutritional requirements—nothing more, nothing less.
Contact me and I’ll help you achieve your weight goals without compromising your health! Custom In-Home Fitness Programs are also available in the Colleyville, Southlake, Grapevine, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Texas area.