Health and Fitness

Americas addiction to soda is staggering. In fact, its estimated that Americans consume more than 13.5 billion gallons of soda each year. This is alarming considering that a regular 12-ounce can of soda contains equal to nine teaspoons of sugar! Many individuals opt for diet soda as an alternative to cut down on calories. However, do these sodas help you lose weight and live healthier or they actually deterring you from reaching your fitness goals?

While diet soda may cut out unwanted calories or sugar, it contains tons of chemicals hazardous to your health, including but not limited to artificial sweeteners, sodium, caffeine and phosphoric acid. Artificial sweeteners, in particular, may interact with the way your body interprets sugar cravings and satisfaction. In fact, those drinking diet soda are even more at risk of obesity. So, its not necessary that diet sodas themselves are causing you to gain weight.

Artificial sweeteners trick your brain into thinking that sugar is on its way but the delivery never actually occurs. Then, your body will start craving the sugar it has been promised. Therefore, diet soda drinkers find it more difficult to lose weight because they actually end up consuming more calories than they intend.

Perhaps the next biggest culprit contained in soda which causes your fitness goals to derail is caffeine. Caffeine can be the cause of addiction to the substance along with chronic anxiety, insomnia and fatigue. These symptoms can make it harder for you to get motivated to work out or stick to your diet.

Diet soda is not the only good option if you are trying to stop drinking regular soda. Natural juices, water and teas are great for those wishing to maintain a healthy eating lifestyle. Tea is perhaps the best option for those who still crave caffeine because it delivers a small amount but not nearly as much as diet soda. Try eating other healthy foods in addition. Eliminating sodas from your diet will not be enough to be healthy.

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written by Melanie Munn \\ tags: Dangerous Foods, Eating Healthy, food, fresh meals, Health Food, meal delivery, meal delivery services, Nutrition, Nutritious Meals, Soda