Anonymous wrote:What I understand is that the sugars and composition of sugary processed foods (juice is a processed food even if it is all natural because it strips the fruit of the fiber) is that they trigger your body to crave them so if you continue to eat them daily, even in small doses, your desire for them will never decrease.

I used to feel the same way about water! As I child I grew up only drinking fruit punch and apple juice then as an adult I was addicted to Crystal Light. It took going cold turkey to finally stop. I now drinks tons of water happily, but it was definitely a process.

I'd get a water bottle or large mason jar a set a daily goal of drinking one filled with plain water each day. Once you accomplish that, increase your daily water goal. Hopefully in that time your tastebuds will adapt. Good luck!

Sugars spike the release of insulin, which shuttles blood sugar to fat and muscle cells, which drops blood sugar fast, resulting in hunger cravings and hypoglycemic symptoms, and then a person wants to eat more sugar and the cycle repeats.

Over time your body's ability to utilize insulin decreases and diabetes can develop if this cycle is repeated too much.

What I understand is that the sugars and composition of sugary processed foods (juice is a processed food even if it is all natural because it strips the fruit of the fiber) is that they trigger your body to crave them so if you continue to eat them daily, even in small doses, your desire for them will never decrease.

I used to feel the same way about water! As I child I grew up only drinking fruit punch and apple juice then as an adult I was addicted to Crystal Light. It took going cold turkey to finally stop. I now drinks tons of water happily, but it was definitely a process.

I'd get a water bottle or large mason jar a set a daily goal of drinking one filled with plain water each day. Once you accomplish that, increase your daily water goal. Hopefully in that time your tastebuds will adapt. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:What’s wrong with xylitol?

Intestine, kidney, cardiovascular.

What’s wrong with xylitol?

Anonymous wrote:I am .2 into the “overweight” category of the BMI scale at 25.1, and 24.9 is “normal weight”. I would ideally like to lose 20 more lb. I’m down 10 already, though I realize most is probably water weight. I’ve been exercising regularly, including brisk walking or biking, when the weather allows, plus weight lifting 3-4 days a week. I am doing really well with my diet, trying to incorporate lots of protein and limited carbs, staying within a macro count, and I’ve also been better about drinking water.

I allow myself one of those 100 calorie cans of Coke a day, fitting within my calorie deficit (I DO NOT add back the calories I spend exercising,) and it’s been helping my cravings. I also will add a splash of juice (orange, cranberry) to my water, never more than an 8oz serving a day, which also fits into my calorie deficit.

I have a friend who keeps telling me this is a horrible idea because of the sugar and will derail my progress. But if it makes me drink water and helps stop cravings for junk, isn’t that helping already?

What is this? A 6 oz bottle mini soda? Or something with fake sugar.

Fake artificial sweeteners are horrendous for your body.
AVOID ANY FOOD PRODUCT like the plague that has sweeteners such as
Sucralose
Stevia
Saccharin
Xylitol
Sorbitol
Aspartame
etc.

Unless you plan to eliminate this stuff forever ignore your friend and move on. The goal is us to find a sustainable lifestyle. Not some hack you can sustain for a few months.

Anonymous wrote:If it helps, that's fine. You can try cutting it back by half a can and ultimately weaning yourself off the coke, but I definitely would not worry about the juice.

You can also try putting this into your water: (I don't like plain water either)
https://www.truecitrus.com/products/true-lime?yoReviewsPage=next&yoReviewsPage=next&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=17399177900&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkN--BhDkARIsAD_mnIopYY7aiC0SHb7XxDI-u24vJ7owOjaM1vQABCnsrXlQTgXBLXK4HnkaAmwJEALw_wcB


Tue Lime. They have tons of flavors, and they are only made of crystallized lemon or lime. The crystals are composed of citric acid, lemon/lime juice, and lemon/lime oil. That’s it. The label also proudly states that there are no sugars, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives, colors from artificial sources, soy, MSG, gluten, sodium, or GMOs, so it's pretty hard to criticize that. You can buy them on Amazon or at Harris Teeter. I know I sound like a shill for the company, but I just really like them and it's the only thing that makes me drink a lot of water. Might work for you. GL in your WL journey.

Interesting! Thanks for sharing this!

Anonymous wrote:Do you have these drinks with meals?

No, between meals

If it helps, that's fine. You can try cutting it back by half a can and ultimately weaning yourself off the coke, but I definitely would not worry about the juice.

You can also try putting this into your water: (I don't like plain water either)
https://www.truecitrus.com/products/true-lime?yoReviewsPage=next&yoReviewsPage=next&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=17399177900&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkN--BhDkARIsAD_mnIopYY7aiC0SHb7XxDI-u24vJ7owOjaM1vQABCnsrXlQTgXBLXK4HnkaAmwJEALw_wcB


Tue Lime. They have tons of flavors, and they are only made of crystallized lemon or lime. The crystals are composed of citric acid, lemon/lime juice, and lemon/lime oil. That’s it. The label also proudly states that there are no sugars, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives, colors from artificial sources, soy, MSG, gluten, sodium, or GMOs, so it's pretty hard to criticize that. You can buy them on Amazon or at Harris Teeter. I know I sound like a shill for the company, but I just really like them and it's the only thing that makes me drink a lot of water. Might work for you. GL in your WL journey.

Do you have these drinks with meals?

Sugar will spike insulin and you won’t lose weight.

It sounds like you are losing weight. If your progress stops, then you can revisit. Consistently good is better than occasionally perfect.

I am .2 into the “overweight” category of the BMI scale at 25.1, and 24.9 is “normal weight”. I would ideally like to lose 20 more lb. I’m down 10 already, though I realize most is probably water weight. I’ve been exercising regularly, including brisk walking or biking, when the weather allows, plus weight lifting 3-4 days a week. I am doing really well with my diet, trying to incorporate lots of protein and limited carbs, staying within a macro count, and I’ve also been better about drinking water.

I allow myself one of those 100 calorie cans of Coke a day, fitting within my calorie deficit (I DO NOT add back the calories I spend exercising,) and it’s been helping my cravings. I also will add a splash of juice (orange, cranberry) to my water, never more than an 8oz serving a day, which also fits into my calorie deficit.

I have a friend who keeps telling me this is a horrible idea because of the sugar and will derail my progress. But if it makes me drink water and helps stop cravings for junk, isn’t that helping already?