Are diet drinks a no-go?

[minibmw2010]

As we are avoiding low fat/diet things, does that mean things like Diet Coke are no good?

Cheers

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Whether or not you are dieting, I personally would avoid diet drinks like the plague. Try water, it's nice and calorie free

[StuntNun]

The jury is out on sweeteners. One theory is that artificial sweeteners maintain our sugar cravings. Another is that there can still be an insulin response to artificial sweeteners. There is evidence that people consume more calories when a meal includes diet drinks and that alone would be enough to put me off. Brain imaging studies suggest that regular consumption of artificial sweeteners blunts the effect of sweetness on the brain so it takes larger amounts to get the sugar 'hit'. My recommendation would be to cut artificial sweeteners to a minimum. If you can avoid them entirely then that's ideal but if you have to have them it should be a few times a week at most. Personally I will occasionally add Stevia to a low carb dessert and sometimes I have soda water with Oasis concentrate as an alternative to an alcohol drunk.

[StuntNun]

*drink

[minibmw2010]

I already drink lots of water and it was a genuine question so sarcasm is a little unneeded I think. Thank you StuntNun, that was helpful.

[overmydeadbody]

I don't think Jilted was being sarcastic actually.

[StuntNun]

One idea that popped up on a Bootcamp ages ago was putting slices of lemon, lime, orange, strawberry, cucumber etc. in various combinations into your water. Cucumber water is surprisingly delicious.

[Losingmyreligion]

Dukan allows low cal fizzy drinks and that's low carb. I try to limit my intake though.

[BIWI]

If you're doing Bootcamp, I advise avoiding them as much as you can, especially in the first two weeks.

Firstly, for the reasons StuntNun outlined - there's some doubt as to whether or not the body treats the artificial sweeteners as sugar.

Have a read about this experiment that the Diet Doctor conducted

Second, the idea behind Bootcamp is that we eat as 'cleanly' as possible, making artificial ingredients a big no-no.

And thirdly, the whole point of Bootcamp, and the first two weeks, is to try and break the hold that sweet stuff has over us.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

overmy I wasnt, thank you

[Fauxlivia]

Fizzy water with a slice of lime is nice. I find it hard to drink still water in the quantities needed on this diet.

[miffy49]

Try making up a fruity tea bag with only half the quantity of boiling water. Let it cool and add ice and top up with fizzy water. The lemony ones and the summer fruit type are nice.