How bad are diet cokes?

Two issues here - caffeine and diet soda. Sort of related, but not necessarily. I don't drink either for various health reasons. Coffee makes me violently ill with the level of caffeine it contains, so I've never been addicted to it (since I can't drink it). And diet soda tastes nasty plus, it's made with artificial sweeteners. No one has quite ruled on caffeine and artificial sweeteners as being 100% safe or not; caffeine is even touted to have some health benefits, including benefits in endurance training. So I guess it depends what you think about those issues. Personally, I can get through the day without "needing" caffeine, so it IS possible (though no one seems to believe me ). You could switch to any variety or blend of black tea, and to an extent, green/white tea (green has less caffeine than black). I actually drink a lot of tea, though not for the caffeine benefits, and I drink mostly herbal, which are caffeine-free by nature. There are lots of tasty ones, many of which make great iced tea, and you don't even need to sweeten some of them.  

I was in the same boat, except I used to drink 4-5 regular cokes per day.  Now I drink 1 maybe 2 diet cokes throughout the day.  Usually like you just one in the morning.  It can last me until 10:00 or 11:00 (I get in at 5:00am). 

While diet coke might not be the best for you, it is certainly better than regular soda.  So I wouldn't worry about it in small amounts like what you are drinking.  Just my $.02.

i can't handle diet sodas, and never could - health risks (or perceived health risks) aside, nutrasweet (aspartame), splenda (sucralose), acesulfame K, and other chemically manufactured sweeteners leave a horrible taste in my mouth that doesn't go away for hours, and they give my wife migraines.

i'm a coffee drinker, but i also love tea - Bigelow's green tea with various fruit flavors is awesome, and packed full of antioxidants.  I particularly like the Green Tea with Blueberry, but the Peach and Pomegranite flavors are also quite good.  Especially so when sweetened with Truvia, a 100% natural zero-calorie sweetner made with Stevia.

The "Good Earth Decaf White Tea Vanilla Blend" is also VERY good.

I just steer clear of soda, especially diet ones, its all just chemicals in a plastic bottle! Bleh!

Its possible that the reason you're getting so tired is because you're addicted to caffiene and your body is trained to expect the next hit. Why don't you try getting off caffiene completely? I find I've got much more energy and I'm much more balanced when I avoid caffiene, sugar and alcohol. Yes you'll be super tired for a few weeks and probably get some withdrawal headaches but you should feel better on the long run

lisac957 - 2009-05-20 10:45 AM

rnner66 - 2009-05-17 8:57 AM Seems like all we'd be left with is water

YUP!

Two weeks ago I eliminated coffee from my morning routine. It had come to the point where I was dependent on it. Something I am not interested in being, on anything, ever. I had headaches for 2-3 days. But now, I am sleeping better, waking up easier, and overall feel great.

As for diet soda, personally I don't think there is much of anything in diet soda that should be put in our bodies. Chemicals and artificial ingredients? No thanks.

If you need an idea to spruce up your water, try squeezing a lime wedge, orange wedge, or even putting some berries in your water. Water is good for you! Put good things in your body.
 
 

I agree.  I don't drink coffee, and don't have soda unless it's for my Beam mixer.  Water, 100% juice, InfinIT, and an occasional Gatorade is my high.