Is Diet Soda Killing You!

We all opt out for the low calorie ice cream, fat-free mayonnaise, and sugar free soft drinks. I have even been guilty of this myself. Recently, I have been curious about how healthy these low calorie or sugar free options are for us compared to the real deal. Since following the Paleo Diet, I no longer come across these decisions. I only eat meat, eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. I kicked soda a few years ago and I rarely buy anything in a box anymore. I don't use fat free this or sugar free that because i use all natural oils and all natural sugars if necessary. Most people however still drink diet soda everyday and choose it over the regular soda thinking it is more healthy. Is It?

This Study Proves not:
In a nine-year study of more than 2,500 people, those who drank diet soda daily were 48% more likely to have a heart attack or stroke or die from those events, compared with those who rarely or never drank soda.

There was no increased risk of cardiovascular disorders among daily drinkers of regular soda, says study researcher Hannah Gardener, ScD, an epidemiologist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

That's a huge percentage of people who had a stroke from drinking diet soda. As I read this study more carefully there are definitely some questionable statistics. They did not account for any other variables and the people in the study were only asked about their soda habits at the beginning of the study not in the middle or end but it stills raises huge red flags about drinking diet soda and probably all artificial sweeteners.

Conclusion replace soda with water. That's a no brain-er. Use all-natural sweeteners like honey and raw sugar when needed but limit amounts. 1-32 oz soda a day leads to a pound of weight gain a week. So in the words of Dave Coulier "CUT-IT-OUT"!

You are what you eat!

Now, I know you have all heard this but what does it mean to you? To me it means that my body will perform/respond based on what nutritional decisions I choose.

So if I eat pancakes with syrup and bacon then I know my body is going to take a nap after I finish. I look at this type of meal as heavy, sluggish, fatty and that's how I feel when I'm done. I literally will fall asleep at the wheel sometimes after a meal like this and it's usually freakin' 9 o'clock in the morning.

When I eat lean meats/fish with fresh vegetables and fresh fruit I feel lean, light and energized. Ready to take on anything. Ready to run, jump, and lift heavy shit.
This is how you should feel after a meal. Satisfied but not full. Able to go right back into the game not sit on the bench for the last period.

Typical afternoon right? You eat lunch and you go back to work feeling a little groggy so you have to get another coffee. Then after that coffee wears off you feel tired again and down so you try to eat again or have another coffee. Its a vicious cycle.

Try eating fresh, light and clean for breakfast,lunch and dinner. Lean meats/proteins with salads, fruit, vegetables and only 100% whole grains or low glycemic carbs. Add some fruit to your lunch for energy and skip the afternoon coffee. You will feel so much better throughout your day. In general, the cleaner and less processed foods you eat will give you more energy. The more preservatives and things out of boxes will destroy your energy and lead to eating more and drinking more unnecessary caffeinated beverages.

Get Fit by Eating Fit!!!