Even 100% fruit juice can't replace the fruits its made from. Everythings filtered and concentrated that the sugars in the juice become refined like table sugar. Whereas a consumed fruit's sugars get digested for a couple hours, the energy in fruit juice is readily available in the system or it gets turned into fats. It's no coincidence that type II diabetes and heart disease occurances is growing in our country. I learned most of this when my dad got diagnosed for type II.
They have Coke machines here at work with free sodas whenever we want them, and the first year I worked here I gained almost 20 pounds. After I stopped drinking them, I lost the 20 pounds. That stuff'll kill ya. Phew!
It's not the soda per se. It's the corn syrup in the soda. That why I go nuts on Coke when I go to europe or the Souther Cone. They use old fashioned white sugar. In the states i'll buy that wacky brand they sell at Central Market. It fizzles out quick though.
i've been hooked on the Naked brand all natural "Superfood" juice smoothies they sell at HEB and Whole Foods. absolutely delicious, and pretty good for you.... no perservatives, sweetners, etc. the ingredient list reads like a grocery list of fruit purees plus vitamins and minerals (red algae, grain flax seed, etc), and that's it. i drink several a week, and they have several different flavors/varieties. i usually go with the blue or red "superfood" smoothie or the "well being" smoothies. highly recommended.
Alright, here's my confessional. I used to drink about 100 ounces (or more) of regular, sugar-soda for about 6 years. About three months ago, I switched to diet and noticed a real change in the way that I feel. However, the habit of drinking that MUCH soda still stayed with me. After reading this thread, I'm gonna try to give it up. More than anything to get healthier, but I also just want to know for myself that I can quit it. That stuff IS addictive.
High-fructose corn syrup is very bad stuff in big doses ~ I think Meowgi posted a good article on that how messed up corn syrup is a while back...
Does it try to emulate the taste of regular coke? I drink like 3 cokes a day and I'm rail thin, but I want to quit because it's just not healthy.
