Fizzy drinks

[Heyguysswipeup]

I work in health promotion and have a background in nutrition. Tbh... if someone was to tell me that diet drinks are bad then my response is always that people drink alcohol/smoke/eat foods with pesticides/don’t meet exercise recommendations most of the time so to start spouting insults about how sweeteners are bad is pretty rich. (Not you of course). There are pros and cons to anything that you eat or drink or do. There isn’t enough evidence on sweeteners to make sweeping statements. Perhaps if you wanted to go down the more ‘natural’ route you could consider using stevia or truvia as these are plant based.

drinking more water than fizzy will be much better for you in terms of hydration/headaches/body functioning etc. I advise my patients to first swap from full sugar fizzy to diet then try and reduce that and drink more water.

in terms of pregnancy, I don’t think there is enough/much evidence to show a relationship between fertility and fizzy consumption. It’s always worth trying out (process of elimination) but as far as literature goes I think it’s quite limited. Fingers crossed for you

 

[bookwormbex]

You've all just made me realise I probably have a fizzy drink problem

 

[Spencerskates]

Update - since Monday I’ve only had two fizzy drinks. I know that’s not a huge achievement since it’s only Friday morning, but I would have normally had between 4 and 7 by now so I’m taking it as a win!

 

[Bitofthebubbly]

Far too much. More than 2 cans of Pepsi (original) a day. I do worry about the long term health implications diabetes is a huge worry! I’m sure it’s the reason I struggle to lose weight as I don’t necessarily eat a lot most days but a can of Pepsi has like 140cal.

I am working on swapping to flavoured water as I hate plain water. The sugar free Volvic watermelon flavour is delicious. It’s hard though as it’s such a habit to just grab a cold can out the fridge. Occasionally I switch to Pepsi max which I like but it’s not the same.

Why must everything that brings me joy in life be bad for me!!!!!

 

[Shivers]

I’ve quite a bad addiction to Diet Coke. I could easily drink 4-5 cans a day. I don’t even particularly like the taste of it but I get such bad headaches without it. I’m positive it has added to my weight issues. It masks hunger so I would have a can of it over something to eat if I’m busy (been particularly bad for this since having a baby) and definitely makes me want sweet stuff.

I’ve gone cold turkey a few times before and honestly for a good 3-4 days I would have horrific withdrawal symptoms. Being so busy now I don’t know if I could do it.

 

[LLJ]

Thank you for all of the replies, it’s been ace reading the full range of them! Honestly, those of you who just drink water...
I do drink a lot of water to be fair, and obviously don’t count a fizzy drink as a ‘drink’ in terms of tracking my water intake, but I’m going to try and slowly cut it down a bit.


I find that I drink more fizzy drinks when I either have a takeaway or eat out, does anyone else have other suggestions that are better than fizzy drinks but not water? I feel like if I’m treating myself with food, I don’t want to just drink water! I don’t really drink, and wouldn’t have a glass of wine with a meal.

I get what you mean with the takeaway thing! If you reduce your fizzy drink consumption most of the week then I don’t think there’s any problem having a coke with your takeaway! Although a tip I use - I sometimes have sparkling flavoured water in a gin glass with lots of ice and fruit. Think I trick myself into thinking I’m drinking a gin when I’m not

 

[prinnygrace]

I drink 1 can a day, either Pepsi max or Diet Coke. Tried to cut it out but I just end up craving it after a couple of days.

 

[H8Ellie]

I drink so much fizzy pop, I do drink water too but those are the only two things I drink really. I can easily do 2Ls of fizzy pop a day

 

[Nugget11]

You've all just made me realise I probably have a fizzy drink problem

I feel the same I literally fuel myself with Diet Coke, easily 4-5 cans a day. I do drink loads of water too though and the way I see it is that diet has to be better than full fat

 

[Spencerskates]

How much do you all drink? How bad are they for you *really*?

I’d say I probably have between one and two cans a day. Either Coke Zero, Fanta zero or full fat Coke.

I’ve been reading more about the effects of fizzy drinks on your body and I’m going to try and reduce my intake - I’m struggling to get pregnant and wondering if this is why (don’t drink or smoke, exercise four times a week, fairly balanced diet, no medical issues, healthy weight).

Have any of you cut out/down fizzy drinks and found positive results? How did you do it?

 

[Spencerskates]

Thank you for all of the replies, it’s been ace reading the full range of them! Honestly, those of you who just drink water...
I do drink a lot of water to be fair, and obviously don’t count a fizzy drink as a ‘drink’ in terms of tracking my water intake, but I’m going to try and slowly cut it down a bit.


I find that I drink more fizzy drinks when I either have a takeaway or eat out, does anyone else have other suggestions that are better than fizzy drinks but not water? I feel like if I’m treating myself with food, I don’t want to just drink water! I don’t really drink, and wouldn’t have a glass of wine with a meal.

 

[LittleMy]

I don’t really drink any fizzy drinks, never have. They give me a sore stomach, and I hate the feel of it coated on my teeth. I drink water mostly, sometimes diluted squash for a flavour.

 

[judsmum]

On average? About 5 cans of Coke Zero a day. Sometimes more, sometimes less. But only ever Coke Zero (not roller cola or Pepsi shit) I don’t drink tea or coffee or cordial. I don’t smoke and I very rarely drink alcohol and i don’t often eat poorly but will anyone put me off my Coke? Absolutely not. I love the stuff.

 

[Pussy Galore]

I cant drink tap water, we live in a real hard water area. I also buy morrisons no added sugar flavoured water. In my opinion its the one with most flavour. I hate weak tasting flavoured water but morrisons one is definitely up there!

 

[Shivers]

Update - since Monday I’ve only had two fizzy drinks. I know that’s not a huge achievement since it’s only Friday morning, but I would have normally had between 4 and 7 by now so I’m taking it as a win!

Thats great well done! Since this thread I’ve actually been considering going cold turkey again. I’ve only one can of Diet Coke left in the fridge. But I’m due on this weekend so don’t know if that would just be the worst time to also go through the headaches etc, or maybe the best as I’ll feel shit anyway

 

[Lumpfish]

I drink one a day Pepsi Max or Full Fat Coke. I have tried to quit so many times or even reduce but I can’t do it. I don’t even enjoy it once I’ve opened the can it’s just a craving!

 

[Raininvain]

I cant see fizzy drinks affecting fertility really. I used to work with a woman who must have been over 30 stones and she drank a 3L bottle of full sugar coke a day and used to have a lot of McDonalds meals. She had a few children.
I know for a fact they are not good for your teeth, all that acidity causes tooth decay. I'd cut down a bit if I were you and have water with a dash of low sugar cordial in it. Its miles more thirst quenching than pop.
It might not be you that has a fertility problem it could be your partner who has a problem. If you are worried then I'd go to the G.P for some tests, both of you.X

 

[megsmagoo]

2/3 cans of Diet Coke a day, along with about 4 litres of water and no tea/coffee. I could give it up but I don’t want to lol

 

[coconochanel]

Not many prob one can a week I drink mainly water with the odd cup of tea/coffee.

 

[champagnepinkk]

I used to drink a lot of fizzy drinks and juice but I now only drink water and I absolutely love it! I would definitely do what an above poster said by limiting yourself to sugar free fizzy drinks, and then seeing if you can do just water eventually.