Should We Be Drinking Diet Drinks?

Over the last 10 years I have noticed that a lot of the people who come to me for help to lose weight have a few things in common and one of those things is drinking diet drinks. Of course, they are shocked when I suggest that diet drinks are not helping them in reaching their weight loss goals and struggle to believe that a fat free, sugar free, calorie free drink could possibly be doing them more harm than good.

As someone who promotes consuming foods and drinks  as"near to nature" as possible in order to maintain a healthy diet I believe that diet drinks are a long way from nature and so should be avoided. This would include all drinks with aspartame, a man made sweetener. (Now try finding orange squash or other fruit squash drinks without aspartame in them - it's not that easy!)

To convince me further on this subject (and encouraging me to spread the word further) is an article in Fitpro Network (The magazine for personal trainers) written by Luis Devera. He discusses this question and gives examples of studies and explanations that give evidence of possible ways that these diet drinks may be effecting us.

I have included a summary of the examples he gives here:

• Over 10 years a study showed that "the waistlines of diet soft-drinkers grew 70% more than non-drinkers".
• Another study proposed that "the artificial sweetener may have a triggering effect on the appetite but, unlike normal sugars, can't deliver the goods to satisfy, leaving the dieter hungry". 
• One theory is that "people unconsciously allow themselves to overeat believing they have saved calories by drinking diet options". 
• Another theory is that the "sweet stimulus produces an insulin response". 
• Or it could be that the brain's hard wiring for appetite control is disrupted by the lack of calories coming in when there is a taste that indicates there should be calories?
• It has also been found that kidney function can be reduced in some people who drink two or more servings of diet drinks daily.
• Then to add to all of this there is the knowledge that diet drinks contain phosphoric acid which, if there is too much in the body, can contribute to calcium being excreted more quickly than normal. Also increasing the risk of osteoporosis and other side effects.

With all of this in mind perhaps we should ask ourselves if these diet drinks are really supporting our health goals?
  Is the short term pleasure of the taste worth the long term pain they could be causing us?

My recommended health giving drink - you know it - WATER!!!



Sue x

Claire's Six Months Transformation - Her Story

I would like to introduce you to Claire who has kindly agreed to share her fat loss story. I hope that she can inspire you to believe that change is possible. You just have to decide to make the necessary changes that will make the difference! Well done Claire, you look amazing!! Read more below to find out how she has made this incredible transformation.....





 


 

My aunt very thoughtfully paid for training sessions with Sue for Christmas in 2011. After visiting Sue and understanding her methods, I was very excited to begin training. Yet with Sue the training also comes with a weekly dialogue about ways to approach health and how to envisage the results you are after. With me, it was very much about losing weight at the start as I thought this would be the only indicator of weightloss. However, Sue re-educated me to understand that there are many other factors which contribute to a healthier body. This includes a healthier mind and belief system. Before beginning, I would very much look at the negatives (too fat, big tummy etc) and this is counterproductive to success. Sue taught me to look at the bigger picture and to remain positive. At first it was very difficult to change my beliefs but truely this was the only way I was going to achieve success. Now, I think myself healthier and slim and this positive attitude has contributed to my continued weightloss and healthier body.

Sue helpfully showed me a number of exercises I can complete at home or at the gym. This has meant that I have been able to continue working out in a way which I know works. By doing circuit training, I have been strengthening my muscles AND not allowing myself to become bored by endless hours on the cardio machines.

My attitude to food has also changed. We discussed how your body is like an engine that needs fuelling in order to work properly. If you don't have enough fuel your engine won't work efficiently. Likewise, if you give the engine the wrong type of fuel it will not work in the way you wish it to work. So now, with that thought in mind, I try to combine a healthier way of eating with a more active lifestyle. This has worked!

There is still a long way to go for me. However, I now have the skills and tools to help me continue.

Thank you Sue! X