Want to Pop that Waistline? Start With Cutting Out the Diet 'Pop'

I’m sure you have been hearing more about this? Can they be right? Have we really been this misled for so long? Now what will I drink?

If you have not heard, Diet Coke (Diet Soda in general) is not helping you lose weight. Nor is it helping you trim the belly down for your Spring Break bikini.

Bummer, right? Right.

A few facts about Diet “Pop” (as the local Midwestern folks say) or Diet Soda:

• Screwed-up Metabolism- according to a 2008 University of Minnesota study of almost 10,000 adults, even just one diet soda a day is linked to a 34% higher risk of metabolic syndrome, the group of symptoms including belly fat and high cholesterol that puts you at risk for heart disease.
• Obesity-A University of Texas Health Science Center study found that the more diet sodas a person drank, the greater their risk of becoming overweight. Downing just two or more cans a day increased waistlines by 500%.
• Rotting Teeth-With a pH of 3.2, diet soda is very acidic. (As a point of reference, the pH of battery acid is 1. Water is 7.) The acid is what readily dissolves enamel, and just because a soda is diet doesn’t make it acid-light.  Eww!

And these were just a few side effects…..so let’s sum it up: it messes with your metabolism (think diabetes), it causes obesity and it rots your teeth.
Yumm-o!

So what would it hurt to start reducing your intake by one can a week? day? hour?  It’s a quick hit.  A baby step in your healthier lifestyle.  Oh and PLEASE….keep it away from the kiddos!

So what do you think?  Ready to give it a try?

So grab some Sparkling water….flavored if you must. But read the label, NO artificial sweeteners.  Throw a lemon, lime or orange wedge in and enjoy!  If it is caffeine you need in the morning, try some SPARK – it is an all natural energy drink in all sorts of flavor (my morning drink of choice).