There’s no denying that a cold can of something fizzy is just the ticket on a hot day. Even the most health-conscious would agree one can every now and then isn’t going to do you any serious damage – but what about more often?
At some point I got into the habit of having at least one can of Diet Coke, or sometimes a 500ml bottle if I was feeling indulgent, every day – always one with dinner, and maybe another with lunch or in the afternoon.
The bottom shelf of our small fridge (we have a separate one just for drinks, don’t judge us) is always full of cans ready to grab.
I’d never given this much thought, and at any rate, it has ‘Diet’ in the name, surely it can’t be bad for you? You can probably see where this is going.
Like a lot of people, I’ve become a lot more conscious of my overall health as I get older. I’m 40 later this year, and suddenly old age doesn’t look as far off as it once did, and I’d rather not spend my later years an absolute wreck.
I’ve already made a number of little changes – I’ve dramatically, albeit reluctantly, cut the ungodly amount of cheese I eat, and the dog is enjoying longer evening walks. And thinking a bit more carefully about what I’m putting into my body is a big part of this.
Do you know what Aspartame or Acesulfame K are? No, me neither, but they’re in Diet Coke, so I’ve been consuming them every single day, and goodness only knows what that’s been doing to my insides.
After battling with a particularly extended bout of tummy trouble, I decided to give ditching the daily fizzy drinks a go. It didn’t take too long before the uncomfortable bloated feeling which seemed like a constant presence eased off a lot, and my dodgy stomach settled down dramatically.
It’s easy to forget that a can of Diet Coke contains as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, but I haven’t missed that energy boost at all, and I might actually be sleeping a bit better.
I’m certainly feeling ready for bed a little earlier in the evening, and as someone who’s long struggled with getting a good night’s slumber I see that as a positive.
I sometimes find myself craving the hit of sweetness, especially later in the evening, but that’s been easily mitigated by opting for a glass of squash (no added sugar, of course) instead. Really, none of this should come as a surprise. There have been an awful lot of studies into the health impacts of fizzy drinks, and none of them have been positive.
Some have suggested that, despite what the name implies, drinking beverages with artificial sweeteners can actually result in weight gain. I can’t say I’ve noticed any pounds falling off since I ditched the cans, but every little helps.
Perhaps more importantly, one study said fizzy drinks can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes – something my doctor has told me I’m dangerously close to, so this can only be a positive.
The fact is, I really don’t miss it at all. In fact, the couple of time I have allowed myself a can, I haven’t even particularly enjoyed it, leaving me wondering why I developed the habit at all.
Yes, I still treat myself to a can of something bubbly every now and then – I do enjoy a beer or two at the end of a long week – but the days of a can of Diet Coke a day are behind me. Now if only I could ditch my all-consuming pizza addiction.