Coke vs Diet Coke vs Coke Zero
 

In trying to lose weight, I've made multiple changes - treadmill everyday, lots more vegetables, measuring out portions, etc. and so far, I have been somewhat successful - lost 24 pounds over the past 3 months.

I will say though, my "weakness" has been Coke, or more precisely - Jack & Coke (I almost never drink pop unless mixed with liquor). A typical Jack & Coke has about 140 calories, a Jack & Diet has around 70.

No brainer right?

I CANNOT STAND the taste of Diet Coke or Coke Zero (when mixed with whiskey). It just isn't the same. I've tried Diet Pepsi (I actually prefer Pepsi, but I rarely drink soda ... straight), and ... meh.

I enjoy my evening beverage(s), so beyond that, any suggestions? Any others diet colas that are good (RC? Hell if I know). Maybe a good whiskey or bourbon that is pretty smooth (and somewhat cheap) so I could just skip the mixer?

IMHO, if you are losing weight while drinking Jack and Coke, why change?

My question exactly. Also, stay away from the diet stuff. It's not much better for you, if at all. Lots of my buddies are physicians, and they tell me this all the time.

Coke vs Diet Coke vs Coke Zero
 

Congrats on the weight loss - I know it takes a lot of work.

My advice, don't drink soda at all. I realized there was at least a kernel of truth in all the hoopla demonizing even diet soda. When I lost weight, when I finally cut diet soda out I was less hungry, lost weight more easily, and felt better.

If that is unrealistic, drink the coke you like. I've kept 70 pounds off for more than 10 years by limiting, but not cutting out high calorie/fatty favorite foods. No one can live on quinoa forever.

Keep up the good work.

Coke vs Diet Coke vs Coke Zero
 

Drink the Jack and standard Coke on the rocks if you still want Jack and Coke! Diet and Zero are NOT good

Coke vs Diet Coke vs Coke Zero
 

I live on Diet Coke

Medical studies have shown Coke drinkers increase their throat cancer risk factors.

Coke is not a good thing, nor are soft drinks.

Guard your mouth...

Save calories, and just drink The Jack

Coke vs Diet Coke vs Coke Zero
 

I agree with the first two replies. Just stick with the regular Coke with your Jack. You are making great progress, although it may seem a bit slow to you now.

A good target for most people when trying to lose weight is about a pound per week. This is because to achieve that rate, you have to have a deficit of 500 calories compared to your daily requirement, every day. The reason is that it is hard for people to cut this much through diet and exercise, at least initially, because they are probably consuming more than their requirement, making to necessary cut quite large. You are nearly doubling that rate, which is excellent, and doing it using both dietary changes and Exercise, which is the only way that has been proven to work.

People who are successful in the long term with weight loss do not deprive themselves of all the things they love, they simply moderate their intake, and allow themselves a few indulgences. If Jack&Coke is yours, then i say go for it. If you really feel guilty, spend a bit of extra time on the treadmill, or increase the incline or pace. The amount of calories you would save by switching to diet (per drink) is approximately the equivalent of walking a mile on flat ground at a brisk pace (less on an incline).

Sorry for being long-winded, but the point is keep your reward. It will help you keep up your motivation and be successful both losing weight now and keeping it off in the future.

Jack and Soda?

Edit: While looking that up, I ran across this delightful recipe. It may obviate the need for any other mixers.

There are no good substitutes for the real thing. Just indulge as your periodic dieter's reward.

Everything in moderation- a little bit of cola isn't going to kill you or stop you losing weight if you are serious about it- which you seem to be as you are doing so well.

Get hold of some mexican coke (or pepsi throwback) - real sugar instead of subsidized corn syrup. Slightly healthier- well, as healthy as a big hit of sugar can be-, and better tasting.
Diet stuff is nasty- skip it.

Thanks for the replies. As many of you noted, I'm still losing weight, so why not stick with what works? And you are probably right. I guess, for myself, when I drink 3-4 Jack & Cokes, adding up to possibly 560 calories ... that is basically a meal. Just seems like such a ... waste of calories (the Coke anyway :p).

Sinatra drank JD and water. Maybe you can try to emulate the Chairman.

It's an acquired taste.

Booze is bad for the metabolism. HFCS is also unfriendly. Consult your physician.

Take a call on your priorities. I suspect that the amount of spirits I drink is pretty bad for my weight, but I dropped out almost all of the sugar from mixers and my daily Coke Zero which I've seen plenty of evidence screws with my body's ability to metabolise.

I like a good drink out, but I found JD straight or a vodka and soda as enjoyable once I got used to them.

Gets my vote, but then again I only drink Coke Zero.

Diet coke with lemon zest (or some such similar name) is good. It's only in the shops episodically, at least here.

I don't mind having a Diet Coke or Coke Zero on its own if I'm thirsty, but for some reason having either as mix with whiskey or rum just tastes gross to me. I can't do it... I'd much prefer to just drink the booze on the rocks instead of with a diet drink.

This.

Or just have your evening drink 5 nights a week instead of 7.

Re the treadmill.

A lot of recent work shows that exercise has much less effect on weight reduction than "people" think. You need to compare the calorie burn rate against normal day time (not 24 hour average as sleeping metabolic rates are much lower than waking rates) and also understand that research also shows that metabolic rates sink lower than normal daytime rates for several hours after exercise has stopped particularly whilst people rest and recover. It is a normal reaction to the higher burn during exercise. Hence the conclusion that whilst exercise is obviously beneficial for other reasons it doesn't really help with weight loss.

The only answer is I'm afraid calorie intake reduction and that means alcohol and portion control and drinking diet drinks.

:)

I completely agree with you. Especially with childhood obesity I'm shocked at how many people (not necessarily on this forum) think the answer is to put P.E. back into the schools. While exercise is certainly a part of a healthy life, I have no illusions that it will help me lose significant weight. Most people just can't (or won't) put in the time (via exercise) it would take to lose weight. I have to walk and hour a day, just to burn off the Jack & Cokes.

That is never going to get me anywhere. It really comes down to eating less.

It's sad to read of the PE pressures you mention because I suspect that fat kids who comfort eat will probably treat themselves to more comfort eating after enforced exercise ensuring even more weight gain? :eek:

Teaching kids about eating is much more important than an hour or two of PE each week.

About time we had some apps .... that took a picture of a kid and told them where they are heading .....:D

I used to have at least a couple cans of regular Coke each day. Did the calorie math and figured the easiest way to shave off some calories was to switch to Coke Zero. To me, Diet Coke tastes horrible and nothing like regular but Coke Zero tastes very similar to regular. It even works well with Jack which is my go-to cocktail.

Now 20 years from now when they link Alzheimers to some chemical in Coke Zero, I'll be screwed.

It's ok to have a guilty pleasure, stick with the regular Coke if that's what you like with your drink. Even my dietician told me not to cut out the "bad foods" I like, just moderate the serving.

Everyone I know, including me, thinks Coke Zero tasted better than Diet Zero. This include people who normally drink regular Coke. I think I read that Diet Coke is the diet version of the New Coke, and Coke Zero is the diet version of the Classic Coke. In fact I am drinking a Coke Zero right now as I am typing this. ;) After drinking Coke Zero for years, when I try a regular Coke, I feel like it is way too sweet. I just wish more food places would carry Coke Zero instead of just Diet Coke.

em, I love Coke Zero!!

I have to be honest - I can't taste the difference between Diet Coke and Coke Zero. I've always assumed the latter was just the former, only marketed to men instead of women.

It's not just calories in and worked off; the body wants to establish a set-point or plateau, maybe it feels safer that way. The base metabolic rate shifts down at first as caloric intake decreases. AFAIK the best way to get through and around that is lots of exercise.

I lost 15 lbs over a period of 6 months by 1) educing overall calories by maybe 15%, eating more complex carbs (veggies and a little more fruit) and less starchy stuff (bread, potatoes) and 2) starting a half-marathon program. First half is set for end Sept., 7 months after starting training at the barely-could-run-two-miles level. But now I'm on a weight plateau and can't seem to drop much more, other than through sweat, and keep it off. It doesn't worry me much, and I definitely don't look like a lean marathon runner type. Goal weight is another 10 -12 below, trying to get there in another 6 - 8 months.

Along the way -- not more than 1/2 serving of Coke or Pepsi products every week or two with my indulgence of a Five Guys burger. I split the soda with my spouse; there's something wonderful about the combo of HF corn syrup, cola flavoring, and a good burger. But once done with the burgers its hard for us to finish the whole soda.

Two years ago we stopped bringing cans or bottles of sweet soda home and got a Soda Stream instead. Now we can mix whatever with inexpensive sparkling water, like Jack & soda. Mostly though its 1/3 fruit juice and 2/3 soda. We've stayed away from the sweetened substitute mixes offered by Soda Stream and others.

Years ago (as in 30 or so) I participated in a test panel for diet Coke or Pepsi with Aspartame. The testers were surprised when I identified the diet slop 100% of the time -- it tastes terrible and metallic to me, too.

The thing I learned about "eating" was that you can eat what you want food-choice wise every day if you want ... it is obviously the quantity that is important.

For example, I discovered that it is the first few chips (fries) you really enjoy and if you can simply stop after a few then you can eat them every day. The second half of the portion doesn't give as much pleasure as the first half - well to me that is! Same with all high calorific items. I guess it's obvious really. The only thing I do not have self disciplain with is wine.

Lot's of interesting reading on how exercise effects most people's weight loss very little .....eg Exercise: The News You Don't Want to Hear - Dr. Jonny Bowden

"It's horribly difficult to seriously change the way you look through exercise alone."

I think the last word of that quote from the article is key. You can't exercise your way around gluttony. You can, however, increase your caloric intake without gaining weight, with the right amount of exercise.

For me, if I want a steak dinner, it's 40 minutes on the elliptical and a walk to "earn" it.

And I know what you mean about the wine.... ;)

Not I - I think diet coke tastes way better than coke zero - I only drink zero under protest (because regular coke actually makes me teeth hurt with how sweet it is).

In terms of a better bourbon - try Bookers - it is stronger than Jack's but far far smoother - and as an added plus, because it is stronger, you really can't glug it in the same way you might Jack's so you will also save on alcohol calories total!

Agree
 

I'm with you. Count my vote for Coke Zero.

The boys at Coke have launched a new "diet" version of Coke down here in EZE... its called Coca Cola Life..... horrid green label. I think it has stevia and some other sweetener(s)..... is this stuff also available up North...???

Not around here yet, but I have tried Zevia cola which is sweetened with stevia. It tastes so gross that I won't be in a rush to try any other stevia-sweetened soft drinks. The stuff makes Diet Coke taste like candy.

Nope.

Diet Coke = single sweetener (aspartame), and formulated sweeter -- closer to the New Coke formula from the 1980s.

Coke Zero = mixed sweetener (aspartame + acesulfame), formulated closer to Coke Classic, although if you let it warm up there is a VERY strong "spice" note to it that isn't obvious when cold, and which is unlike either Diet Coke OR Coke Classic.

I much prefer the latter, although I'll take either one over diet pepsi. Then again, I'll take diet ginger ale (pretty much any brand) or diet root beer (ditto) over diet cola of any sort. The new Coke "Freestyle" machines are great!

Zevia and the other Stevia-based sweetened drink I've tried have both got a VERY strong licorice-like or maybe anise-like aftertaste. I can't stand the licorice/anise/fennel family of flavors, and I can't stand the stuff.

Ewww, good to know. I can't stand the licorice taste either. I'm surprised how many people like Jaeger

Putting any heavily-flavoured mixer in a spirit seems to me to negate the whole point of the spirit in the first place - rather like paying a fortune for a bottle of champagne then mixing orange juice with it.

However,I am very partial to a Maker's Mark Presbyterian - and JD is just as nice with it as well.

1-1/2 parts Jack
1/2 part club soda
1/2 part ginger ale

Switch to Guinness :)

I prefer Diet Dr Pepper but if not available, Diet Coke over the others

Same here! My wife got a huge box of Truvia and said she read that it is the healthiest sugar substitute.. I throw them all away after trying it a few times. :p