[p0d]

I am 51 and lost 80lbs over the last two years walking 3 miles everyday. I have a lot of porridge/fruit for breakfast, vegetable curry etc at lunch and dinner can be pretty much anything, including some ice-cream. I drink a lot of coke zero. I think the takeaway is routine. Walk and don't eat a lot of sugar, bread. I generally eat bread once a week in what I call my Scooby Doo sandwich.

[thorin]

That all sounds great, but why would you drink a lot of coke zero, surely that has a lot of crap in it? If you're that dedicated with everything else why not just drink water or tea?

[gateorade]

Coke Zero has caffeine in it, and a flavor some find pleasing.

While I can mostly get on board with the idea that it’s better to consume less processed foods and beverages, if I remember correctly there’s never been a human study that showed a causal relationship between consuming zero calorie sweeteners and negative health outcomes.

I’m on my own journey to optimize my diet, and eat less processed foods, but Diet Coke is something I’ll probably never cut out.

[jjice]

Diet soda is often a way to distract from other cravings that have calories. While it isn't as good for you as water (obviously), if it's the thing that really helps someone lose 80 lbs, it's probably a big overall win for health as a substitute vice.

[5bolts]

some people prefer their caffeine cold? Lots of people talk about drinking tons of coffee - but when you watch them make a cup its half dairy and sugar anyway... could be the same with Tea (builders tea for example)

and it could just be their guilty pleasure - better than the "normal" coke

[p0d]

We learn how to roll, crawl, walk, run. No point shouting run at the crawling child. Maybe better to say well done .