A Few Quick Points On Diet Drinks (In Light Of The Recent Scare)

Email Print posted by ihavenobias 02/20/2008 04:51:33 PM EST

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I just finished listening to yesterday's post game show and heard about how Cenk's girlfriend is going to scare him into not drinking Diet Coke because it's "bad for him".

I'm guessing that she'll reference a new study that shows that *rats* consuming saccharin (and old school artificial sweetener that's been linked to other risks, like cancer) get even fatter than rats eating plain old sugar (glucose in this case, not sucrose, aka table sugar).

Here's an LA Times write up on this.

I'm a big nutrition/physiology buff, and I have some thoughts here (I'm also a former chubsy as some of you know).

First, the study was done using rats.  While rats can provide useful information, we need to be careful extrapolating these results to humans, especially in this case.  After all, artificial sweeteners and humans seem to provide mixed results.

Also, I'm glad it was pointed out that animals consuming diet products seemed to compensate by eating more.  There very well may be some physiological (and psychological for that matter WRT humans) component to this, likely related to insulin.

But with that said, humans can consciously count and control their calories.  I'd like to see some research where human subjects consumed *the same amount of calories* over a period of time while one group consumed products containing artificial sweeteners.  Those results would be much more relevant. 

Granted, the average person doesn't pay much attention to what they eat (and therefore they might compensate for drinking Diet Coke by eating more) but for a dieter who does pay attention, someone suggesting that they'd be better off consuming hundreds of additional calories a  day in the form of high fructose corn syrup (the main sugar in regular soda) is absolutely ridiculous IMO.

So what do I take away from this latest rat research?

1)-Stay away from Saccharin.  True, researchers believe other more modern sweeteners are likely to have the same effect, but there's less cancer risk (although I'd point out that's pretty damn low already unless you have a saccharin IV drip going all day, every day) and the fact is that hasn't been proven to be the case yet.

Besides, who the hell still drinks original Diet Coke or Pepsi?!  My God, is this 1988 or 2008?  I hope these people realize that drinks made with more modern sweeteners like Splenda (Coke Zero, Pepsi One, new Diet Rite, etc.) taste a LOT more like the real thing. I've even fooled die-heard regular Coke drinkers using Coke Zero/Cherry Coke Zero!

2)-All things in moderation. If you're currently drinking Diet Coke all day, every day, mix in water, tea (both green and black since they provide different benefits) and even coffee (which might reduce the risk of certain neurodegenerative diseases).

3)-Try only drinking diet soda *with* meals.  Why?  Well, if part of the physiological problem is related to an insulin burst (along with no/low calories), I would speculate that this would become less of an issue if you ate enough calories along with the artificial sweetener (the insulin produced could then be used to store the consumed calories). A small snack is better than nothing, but an actual meal is likely needed to really blunt the potential negative effects.

In the end, I wouldn't go and throw out all of your diet beverages and foods, at least not yet.
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A Few Quick Points On Diet Drinks (In Light Of The Recent Scare) | 65 comments (65 topical, 0 hidden)
I assume (none / 0)
You haven't heard todays show yet.  Cenk also laid out the fact (pointed out by a listener) that Donald Rumsfeld worked for the company that pushed the artificial sweetener through the FDA.  If that's not reason enough to quit drinking it I don't know what is.
I'm always glad that I was blessed by being a kid who couldn't stand fissy drinks.  Strictly water for me.  I have a soda on occasion now, but when I do I typically go for the more "classy" all natural stuff.  I just think it tastes better.
People drink the vast majority of their calories everyday.  I've never understood it myself.  Why waste all those delicious calories on drinks when food tastes so much better?

by Spencer on 02/20/2008 05:03:09 PM EST

No, I rarely watch live (none / 0)
I download and listen to the podcast.

Which artificial sweetener are you referring to that was pushed through, there are quite a few! Nevermind, I just checked and it was aspartame, not the better choice of Splenda.  A lot of the stories and research regarding toxicity and health problems are often done on animals *and* they involve RIDICULOUS dosages, amounts that are impossible for any human to acheive (refer to previous link).

At any rate, I always hated water, ever since I was a kid...it's the least satisfying thing to drink with a meal IMO and just about anything tastes better (but I've made an effort to drink more anyway). 

As for people drinking their calories, I completely agree, to this day I don't understand that.  That's why I drink diet drinks (or black/green tea and water with ice and lemon)...again, the *new* drinks on the market taste 1,000 times better than the old, bland, chemical aftertaste stuff flavored with saccharin/aspartame.

And you nailed it, why waste all those delicious calories on drinks when food tastes so much better?  This is especially true for people trying to lose weight.  I always roll my eyes (well, figuratively) when someone who's trying to lose weight drinks juice which they assume is "healthy".  It's very aggravating to me.  The fact is, 999 times out of 1,000, eating the source fruit the juice is made from is more filling AND healthier because it will provide fiber (and sometimes other micronutrients) that the vast majority of juices won't.

Not to mention the added sugar and the fact that eating something is more satisfying than drinking it when restricting calories. And it's much easier to down a few glasses of juice compared to eating a few apples, etc.

by ihavenobias on 02/20/2008 06:05:52 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Among my changes in habits... (none / 0)

...I've recently started drinking a lot more water.  I was abusing Diet Coke -- it was damned near the only thing I drank for a while, and I'm sure it didn't do my stomach much good.

I'm kind of getting into water, too.  Among the side benefits is a big one for me: I've stopped collecting those damned plastic cups that the quick trip stores are forcing on us.

by Juarez Traveller on 02/20/2008 10:18:15 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Filtered water (none / 0)
I tend to carry my own lunch to work (that alone gives me massive control over caloric intake compared to what you can usually buy during a lunch break), and instead of packing a soda I include a sport bottle filled with filtered water from my fridge dispenser.  Not only don't I accumulate those annoying plastic bottles from the stuff you buy, it's much cheaper and frankly to me the stuff I filter myself tastes better than the bottled stuff.

In my last house instead of a fridge dispenser (I was renting, so had no control over the fridge) I installed a small "filter faucet" that went into the hole on the kitchen sink where the spray nozzle thing normally goes.  It was cheap and easy to install, and coupled with a high quality filter (good for a year) the water was awesome.

Do I have a point here?  Sort of.  I'm just pointing out how simple and inexpensive it is to shift to a high-quality water habit.  I love me some diet soda (cherry-vanilla diet Dr. Pepper is my fave) but water is so much better for me.

"If you're not pumped up, then get the hell out, 'cause you don't belong here." -- Cenk Uygur

by Spinny on 02/21/2008 09:25:03 AM EST

[ Parent ]
You're right -- it /is/ easy. (none / 0)

I bought one of those one gallon Brita tanks from Walmart and stuck it in my fridge.  That and an insulated cup that I've had for centuries makes it easy.  And I don't mind refilling the tank when I use it -- I'm a real spendthrift when it comes to stuff like that.

by Juarez Traveller on 02/21/2008 10:44:02 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Wal-Mart? (none / 0)
What, there's no Target or Costco out by you?  I officially revoke your Liberal Card.

by ihavenobias on 02/21/2008 10:49:40 AM EST

[ Parent ]
help us (none / 0)

I have a different problem--I'm addicted to regular pop.  I only drink it with meals, but that's enough to add worthless calories into my day.  I'm also addicted to Starbucks shit, which is even worse I'm sure. 

I notice a lot of people who talk about weight loss talk a lot about Hunger, but my problem isn't hunger, it's my habits.  I find it awfully difficult to switch my habits.  I crave sugary water so I have pop with meals.  I also drink at least a bottle of water a day.  

Anyway it seems so hard to change bad habits, and the addictive properties of pop don't help. 

by schmoab on 02/20/2008 05:05:33 PM EST

no soda (none / 0)
Let me chime in by saying I just don't get soda at all.  I drink a Coke about once a month, usually when I have tuna fish.

David

by yturks on 02/20/2008 06:22:57 PM EST

Well if we're being honest here (none / 0)
I just don't get tuna at all. I think it's gross.  But I realize a lot of people like it and that it can be very healthy (as long as you avoid the mercury).

As for soda, a cold can is just incredibly satisfying, especially when you're really thirsty and or your throat is dry.  Something about the sweetness on the tongue combined with those bubbles hitting the throat.


And since we're on the subject of soft drinks, I rank regular Diet Coke/Pepsi dead last. 

Coke Zero, Pespsi One, Cherry Coke Zero, Wild Cherry Pepsi, Diet Coke w/ Lime (perfect with Mexican food), Diet Mountain Dew, Diet A & W, Sprite Zero, Sierra Mist Free and any number of other drinks taste better.  Oh, how could I forget Diet Dr. Pepper (which really *does* taste more like regular Dr. Pepper compared to Diet Coke tasting like regular Coke).

I think restaurants and fast food places are losing out by generally only offering Diet Coke and Pepsi in light of diverse (and better tasting) array of choices listed above.



by ihavenobias on 02/20/2008 06:32:19 PM EST

[ Parent ]
oh wino oh (none / 0)
I am totally hooked on Coke Zero. I buy about 2 2-liters a month.

When I am not drinking my usual water or tea (I love you green tea!), I am drinking too much beer and whiskey. Calories be damned.

by jazzchic on 02/20/2008 07:25:37 PM EST

[ Parent ]
shun us pop heads (none / 0)
while you chew on your coca leaves down in Bolivia....

by rev24 on 02/20/2008 09:01:15 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Can't stand diet. (none / 0)
I don't like the taste of any diet drink I've ever put to my lips.  Diet Dr. Pepper does NOT taste more like regular Dr. Pepper.  Fake is usually bad for you.  Like the wierd chips that might make you have oily stools.  Whheeeagghh!  Regular Dr. Pepper is by far the best tasting concoction I've had.  It's been around since 1885.  Also, I won't even chew gum because of the wacky stuff on the label.  There's always Altoids for freshing your breath.  Peace.

by bluefella on 02/20/2008 07:52:57 PM EST

Eh (none / 0)
all things in moderation.

Some diet drinks and gum here and there won't kill you.  Besides, it takes some adjustment to go from 35-50 grams of high fructose corn syrup per serving of soda to 0g of sugar.

I think whole milk is disgusting (each cup has as much saturated fat as 3 strips of bacon), but some insist on drinking it.  I grew up on 2% (I think that was the standard in the 80's but I could be wrong) and thought skim milk was like water when I first tried it.

Now I can't drink anything but skim...2% is so thick and gross to me, like egg nog minus the delicious taste (yes, I like egg nog).  The point is, you adjust and never look back.  Now if I have a sip of regular Coke (or whatever), it tastes like someone poured a half a bag of sugar in it. I don't miss it at all.

And I do think a LOT of people have *only* tried regular diet Coke or Pepsi (not the new versions with Splenda, etc) and so they rightly think ALL diet drinks just taste like chemicals, when that's really not the case.

by ihavenobias on 02/20/2008 08:08:41 PM EST

[ Parent ]
To Blue & IHNB (none / 0)

People drinking Dr. Pepper today are not drinking the same thing as I drank as a kid. Back then, it was flavored mostly by prune juice, and it was much better than today's mix. !0 2 4 - anytime is right for Dr. Pepper!

IHNB, I am on the other side of your coin. I insist on "red cap" milk - the whole stuff. Go through a gallon a week, easy. (Sometimes with three strips of bacon!) Why would anyone bother drinking milk if it's going to be the watery 2% or the flavorless skim? (You folks fooling yourselves with "Skim Rich" or the like...do you know what 'Carrageenan' is? It's seaweed. You will also find it used as filler in canned ham or turkey rolls...) Cereal DOES NOT stay crunchy in anything less than whole (granola excluded). If you're drinking milk for the calcium, buy some tums. Geez, they call it 'skim' because they skim off all the FLAVOR by removing the fat content.

I have never had a problem telling the difference between diet soda and regular, no matter what brand, flavor, or additive. Call it super-sensitivity to them, but numerous spit takes through the years caused by people who thought I "really couldn't tell the difference" and they tried to slip me some.

Oh, and I use real butter, too. No margarine, none of that Smart Balance whipped water shit. And, yes, I really can believe it's not butter.

GAWD, I miss Coconut oil being used in theater popcorn 'butter'! The recycled oil sludge they use these days is horrible! Of course, for that matter, I miss the days when you got REAL butter on your (35 cent) popcorn. I noticed the other day that a "medium" bag is up to $5 at my local cineplex.

Just wait. Someday, y'all will be remembering the 'good ol days' before they removed poly-unsaturates...

by MedfordTim on 02/20/2008 08:48:46 PM EST

[ Parent ]
It's funny you mention the butter (none / 0)
I use and love Smart Balance.  It tastes great to me, but then I don't use butter (or Smart Balance) that often.

And I know one small movie theater in Elgin IL at the Riverboat Casino (not sure if it's still open) was using coconut oil if I remember right, as recently as the mid 90'!


But my God man, whole milk?  So they DO exist! I feel compelled to drink a pint of half and half!

by ihavenobias on 02/20/2008 08:59:35 PM EST

[ Parent ]
The Silent Epidemic - Tooth Decay (none / 0)
Don't drink diet drinks because your fat - go to the gym for that!  Drink Diet Coke to prevent cavities - that's what I do.  There's a dental epidemic going on these days overlooked by the medical crisis we're facing.  People don't go to the dentist anymore for those important cleanings and fillings because it's too expensive.  So if you've been drinking a lot of pop and it's not diet, have fun at that dentist when you finally make those big bucks - Ali Power!!!! 

by rev24 on 02/20/2008 08:04:13 PM EST

GF is in dental hygiene school right now... (none / 0)
and in case you're wondering, no, a hygienist isn't the one that just greets you, she (99% of the time it's she) is the one that actually cleans your teeth and all that.

The joke is that the dentist comes in to shake your hand after the hygienist does all the actual work!  There's some truth to that but obviously the dentist does fillings, root canals, etc.

At any rate, don't forget the acid in ALL sodas.  A straw is ideal (or rinsing after you drink).  Which reminds me, one benefit of black tea is that it might reduce the risk of gum disease and cavities.

Green tea is probably better overall (as it reduces the risk of certain cancers, boosts metabolic rate *and* might reduce the risk of catching a cold, and yes there are many more recent studies too on these topics) but black tea still has some use.

by ihavenobias on 02/20/2008 08:16:17 PM EST

[ Parent ]
if tea only had the same bang for the buck (none / 0)
I've tried to switch from coffee to green/black tea, but it just doesn't cut it for me in the morning.  Come to think of it, I think I'll have a spot of tea right now while I eagerly await a McCain/infidelity statement.  I'm lucky enough to have a trustworthy dentist who does all the work, but like nurse practitioners, dental hygienists are often the unsung heroes.  On a darker note I'm reminded of the horror stories of strip mall dentistry which reminds of the horrors Dustin Hoffman faced in "Marathon Man" - ouch!

by rev24 on 02/20/2008 08:39:34 PM EST

[ Parent ]
2 Things (none / 0)
It's funny that you mentioned that movie. I've never seen it, but for some reason I've seen the infamous "Is It Safe" scene several times.

Wish me luck, I'll be the first test patient next Tuesday!

As for coffee vs tea, there was some really interesting research done within the last few years or so that showed that people actually perform better and have a higher mental alertness if they consume small, consistent doses of caffeine.

Also, a lot of people consume caffeine first thing in the morning when it's least effective.  Caffeine works primarily by blocking something called adenosine, and adenosine levels are naturally lowest in the morning.  For that reason I wait until I've been awake for a few hours before I have some tea.

So why do people insist they need their coffee in the morning?  Well, it's usually people they rely on the stuff too much and are basically addicted.  At that point they need caffeine just to not feel irritable and incredibly sluggish (i.e. to feel normal).  And I can relate because I've been that person and it's hard to break out.


by ihavenobias on 02/20/2008 08:51:37 PM EST

[ Parent ]
If no one else will say it... (none / 0)

Aspartame and schizophrenia don't mix. Some people discover they HAVE the big S by imbibing the sweetener (Equal). It affects the same area which is already under seige by the ailment. A small percentage of the population, to be sure, and who gives a damn about the mentals anyhow? Just so you know.

I liked the earlier comment about having your diet soda only while eating. It brings to mind the person ordering a double-bacon-cheeseburger, super sized fries, and a couple of tacos, apple pie - oh, and a DIET soda.

Me? I'll stick with the original poison - bleached, white granulated goodness from Hawaii! Don't even try to slip me that crap from sugar beets - it ain't the same as cane.

On a serious note - we're all adults and can make our own choices, good or bad. Try to make it a point if you have kids to NOT encourage use of "diet" products, okay? Aside from the psychological impact of a kid getting some stupid message that they NEED to diet, think of all the things that were 'tried out' on the public and found years later to be tainted in some horrendous way. Someone please pass me the thalidomide, hmmm?

by MedfordTim on 02/20/2008 08:17:28 PM EST

Hmmm (none / 0)
I agree it's funny to watch a raging fat ass (pardon my non-politically correct language, but I remind everyone again I used to be one) order a ton of bad food only to wash it down with a diet drink.

But to be fair, there is something to be said about damage control, and I for one would rather have an extra handful of fries than a regular Coke.

Again, it's all about moderation and context.  Processed, refined food is often full of chemicals (most of which *are* safe, but some maybe not if consumed too often for too long) and empty calories. Unfortunately these foods are often tasty AND cheap, a killer combo that has helped make America the fattest country on earth.

But that topic deserves its own thread.

by ihavenobias on 02/20/2008 08:23:36 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Whole milk is..... (none / 0)
Awesome!  I grew up on whole milk.  Now I drink 2%, but I never mind reaching for whole if it's offered. Yummers.  Butter, way better than margarine.  Oh yeah.  Another reason I won't drink diet.  Everytime I've gotten a diet drink by quirk of the drink machine or it was the last thing left, and I drank it, I got a rip-roaring headache.  Incidently, I also don't medicate for headaches which I rarely ever get.  Call me weird but its worked for me thus far.  Anybody else get a headache from diet Soda??

by bluefella on 02/20/2008 10:45:29 PM EST

Yes (none / 0)
once someone hit me on the head with Diet grape and my head was killing me for like 10 minutes.

by ihavenobias on 02/20/2008 11:11:52 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Remember what I said a few minutes ago (none / 0)
in the McCain thread about how I thought everyone was pretty funny recently?  I'd like to retract that in lieu of this recent comment.  ;)

by Spencer on 02/20/2008 11:19:08 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Come on, how could I resist? (none / 0)
When was the last time you saw or drank grape soda?  It's got me thinking back to childhood cereals, like fruity pebbles, lucky charms, cookie crip, honey smacks...

Yeah, I know their still around, but nothing beat waking up super early on a saturday morning to watch cartoons with a big bowl of cereal (some of you old timers won't understand I know).

Old cartoons deserve their own thread someday so I'll stop.

by ihavenobias on 02/20/2008 11:38:20 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Cookie Crip? (none / 0)

Is that like Tookie Williams' brother? 

Now I don't care what anybody says, that's funny.  Come on Tookie and Cookie, and Tookie actually was a Crip.  That shit is golden.  Maybe me defending it before it's even been attacked is a sign that it's probably not as funny as I think it is.  Whatever.  I kill me!

But yeah, I remember those Saturday mornings.  When I'd pile on the Lucky Charms and then put a giant serving of whole milk on top and then eating a gallon of ice cream with Oreos crumbled over it and topping it off with a delicious Diet Coke (for my girlish figure).  All while watching a hilarious Hong Kong Phooey and smoking a Lucky Strike.  Oh memories.

by Spencer on 02/20/2008 11:50:28 PM EST

[ Parent ]
How dafuuk old do ya think we ARE?? (none / 0)

Yeah, us old timers did the same thing - wake up when the Dinosaurs crowed outside and ate cereal* while watching toons - 'course, we wanted a hot breakfast, but you can't always count on a lightning strike to make the fire god come alive when you want it.

Hell, man, we used to have Saturday and Sunday morning toons!


*keeping in mind that in those days, "Fruity Pebbles" were actual pebbles...

by MedfordTim on 02/20/2008 11:58:14 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Wanted a hot breakfast? (none / 0)
I don't know, I was more than happy with the cereal. I'm not sure how it was in the 1800's, but in the 80's we used to wake up before the parents (or "parent" in my case).

by ihavenobias on 02/21/2008 12:01:36 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Hilarious as always (none / 0)
I love that among all your jokes about how old you are, you still somehow have TV.  ???  I thought those were the days of radio plays or carrier pigeons or something.

by Spencer on 02/21/2008 12:16:11 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Shaw! Right! (none / 0)

Ya nevah seen da Flintstones?

There has ALWAYS been TV. (Check Leviticus, I'm sure there's a reference somewhere.) What do you think kept the apes attention in 2001: A Space Odyssey? A blank screen? Some big black rock? I don't think so! The obelisk was a high-def, multi-channel, satellite receiver playback unit with 23,839 channels (6 really good ones).

What do you think started the French Revolution?

No cable.

You thought the Eiffel Tower was just some...tower? Hell, no! It's a TV antenna. It was supposed to be rabbit ears, but the money was diverted to the "cake and orgies" fund. Quick as you can say Quasimodo, network heads rolled. Literally.

The Spanish Inquisition? Someone lost the Pope's remote.

Who can forget the Native Americans invitation to their new neighbors to come over, knock back a few cold ones and watch the game on the first Thanksgiving?

Why did the Bounty crew choose Pitcairn? Great reception!

Shakespeare said it best: "TV or not TV - that is the question." I think we all KNOW the answer...



by MedfordTim on 02/21/2008 01:26:33 AM EST

[ Parent ]
I read that whole thing (none / 0)

waiting for a wildly inappropriate 9/11 joke and you didn't deliver.

And you also forgot that the reason Lincoln was assassinated was because his hat got in the way of the new episode of BJ and the Bear.  Sic semper tyrannis!

by Spencer on 02/21/2008 01:53:14 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Wait (none / 0)

Terrorists don't have TVs right?  Cause otherwise what I said about a 9/11 joke would be retarded.  Oh wait!  That's what it is.  I guess I was expecting it because of the "all historical events springs from TV thing" without ever thinking that we did, in fact, have TVs in 2001.  Durr.

Oh well.  The Lincoln joke stands anyway, because we all know that Harvard comedy writer's rule... Lincoln is always funny.

by Spencer on 02/21/2008 02:00:51 AM EST

[ Parent ]
I nominate MedfordTim... (none / 0)

...for the award of Spewer of the Highest Quality Bullshit on this board.  And right after the award ceremony -- after the smelling of the trophy -- we'll execute him for Worst Abuse of Shakespeare.

The eulogy will be given by Jubal Harshaw, and the funeral banquet will feature a talk by Fester Bestertester on proper undergarments for gorilla suits.

Fester Bestertester

by Juarez Traveller on 02/21/2008 02:18:11 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Damn (none / 0)

a Don Martin original.

Getting awfully geeky here. 

by z1p101 on 02/21/2008 02:34:57 AM EST

[ Parent ]
You're damned right. (none / 0)

Geek Pride!

Besides, you don't have much room to talk.  You admit to cheering for the NY Jets  (Don't worry.  I don't hold New Jersey against you.  You do make it sound kind of cool.  Too cool.  I'd watch that.)


by Juarez Traveller on 02/21/2008 10:57:46 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Explain? (none / 0)

What is "too cool" about it?

A ton of people are from Jersey. It is the most densely populated state in the union. 

by z1p101 on 02/21/2008 03:07:33 PM EST

[ Parent ]
The cultural mix! (none / 0)

I went to a university 14% of whose student population was from other countries, and I lived in the student housing section where most of them lived (a bunch of old WWII quanset huts that should have been condemned years before).  It was wonderful, and I've always sought to live in the middle of a diverse population ever since.

'Cause I think it's cool.

by Juarez Traveller on 02/21/2008 03:50:56 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I just figured out why my Life is so soggy (none / 0)
Recently after hearing Huckabee's slogan "I like Mike," I was motivated to buy a box of Life (remember "Mikey Likes it!).   Anyway, not more than five minutes after pouring some SOY milk in my bowl, everything turned to mush.  Until now, I've been totally confused because I use to eat Life all the time and I'm sure it didn't get soggy that fast.  Thanks MT for the whole milk explanation - I'm sure that was the mix that made my Life so much better. 

And don't think I'm going to try to recapture those days by dabbling back into those big 'ole cow titties - nasty cow milk!  How can you not be haunted by the image of Sherri Shephard shaking her utters all around on the View????

by rev24 on 02/21/2008 12:59:45 AM EST

[ Parent ]
I'm an opened minded person (none / 0)
dating a vegetarian, so I eat my share of soy. But soy milk?  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

If I was lactose intolerant, I'd by that special milk or take Lactaid or whatever.

And while it's more expensive, there are healthier, non chemically treated (the cows I mean) milk sources if that's the issue. 

By the way, the Morning Star Farms corn dogs (see your the freezer of your local grocery store), chicken nuggest and breakfast sausage patties taste EXACTLY like the real thing, minus some of the fat and calories. Go ahead, try it if you don't believe me. Besides, how real is the stuff in regular corn dogs and "chicken" nuggets anyway?

by ihavenobias on 02/21/2008 01:05:17 AM EST

[ Parent ]
You know (none / 0)
There's a lot of studies that show that soy isn't very good for you either.  After science is done, we'll all be eating our cereal dry.  Damn them and their beakers.

by Spencer on 02/21/2008 01:06:12 AM EST

[ Parent ]
I do know, because I posted a link (none / 0)
about that very topic in one of my recent posts. The issues effect babies/kids far more, but adults can still be effected if they consume too much. Again, all things in moderation.

by ihavenobias on 02/21/2008 10:52:20 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Yeah, I was responding to rev24. (none / 0)
I think we cross posted.

by Spencer on 02/21/2008 03:57:41 PM EST

[ Parent ]
You mean "soy juice", right? (none / 0)

As Lewis Black observed, there is no such thing as "soy milk" because there is no soy tittie.

If you care about milk at all, don't ever confuse the two again.  In fact, I'm proposing a law the prohibits the display of soy juice anywhere within sight of milk.

by Juarez Traveller on 02/21/2008 02:27:13 AM EST

[ Parent ]
This is why young people should be hospitalized. (none / 0)

...for their own safety when they say something that could get them killed by a grownup.

GRRRRRrrrrrRRRRRRR!

You've never heard of Sky King, I'll bet.  And you have no idea what Roy Rogers was like, or what a hero Rin Tin Tin was.  You cannot conceive how often Mighty Mouse saved the world.  And the only way that you know that Looney Tunes used to be funny (as opposed to the tripe they produce now) is because of the cartoons that we watched on their first runs.

You know nothing about these things because you weren't alive when Saturday morning TV was actually good.  From 7am to noon (after the farm report), there was nothing but TV for kids, and it was great.  Especially since mom and dad slept late (I guess) and left us the hell alone on Saturday mornings.

...tell-me-what-I-won't-understand-you -no-good-little-whippersnip e-you'd-damned-well-better- run-because-when-I-catch-yo u-I'll-beat-your-bottom-unt il-you-can't-sit-down-...

by Juarez Traveller on 02/21/2008 12:25:50 AM EST

[ Parent ]
But the thing is (none / 0)
the 80's had THE BEST cartoons.  And yes, I did watch Mighty Mouse (and Scooby Doo and Three's Company and All In The Family but those last two weren't animated obviously), but no, it wasn't first run.

But not watching the homoerotic adventures of He-Man or the no one ever died despite so many shots fired GI Joe or awesome robots of the Transformers (and the cheap knock off Go-Bots)?  You missed out!

For example, how tale nted and unique was the inventor of the He-Man universe, with characters named "He-Man", "She-Ra", "Skeletor" (who looked like a skeleton basically), Fakor (who was a bad verion of He-Man, exactly the same but blue) and so on.  If that wasn't the pinnacle of creativity and originality, I don't know what was.

by ihavenobias on 02/21/2008 12:38:48 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Don't forget Stinkor (none / 0)
He stunk.  And how about Man-E-Faces.  He had three faces.  Or my personal favorite Fisto.  He had a big fist (and any other implications are just the results of a dirty mind).  Wow those cartoons were lame in retrospect.

by Spencer on 02/21/2008 12:51:42 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Skeletor? (none / 0)

You mean this guy?

Chertoff 

But no. The best stuff came out of the 60's and early 70's.

Watch a Bullwinkle episode. There is more stuff for adults there than kids.

Also watch  H.R. Pufnstuf. I don't care what the original creators say, there are tons stoner references there.

"But not watching the homoerotic adventures of He-Man...."

Speed Racer came way before He Man and watching him butcher the English language is great.

The point is that it takes real talent to make a show that both adults and kids can enjoy for different reasons. 

by z1p101 on 02/21/2008 01:20:31 AM EST

[ Parent ]
You're right (none / 0)

Which is why Batman: The Animated Series is the best adult/kid cartoon ever.  Just imagine me pushing my glasses up on my nose and getting wedgies when I say this, but it's true and I will hear no arguments to the contrary.

Bullwinkle definetly took the prize in the comedy category though.  That is until the Simpsons came along.  But given some of the recent seasons of that, I'm thinking of giving it back to Bullwinkle. 

by Spencer on 02/21/2008 01:45:40 AM EST

[ Parent ]
He-Man - Fakor story (none / 0)
I remember back in the day He-Man had a contest to create a new character.  I wasn't that big on He-Man because he seemed pretty lame (I was more of Street Frogs type of kid), but my brother was, so we came up with an idea and entered the contest.  Funny you should mention Fakor because that was the same character (different design) we came up with, but with some other name.  Anyway, we didn't win but after seeing Fakor on the show you bet we were pissed.  Random story - but at least I won one contest as a kid - Foot Locker's honorary ball boy for the Oakland Warriors -woot!  (only one game but at least I got to meet Manute and Mullen)

by rev24 on 02/21/2008 01:26:24 AM EST

[ Parent ]
"Street Frogs"? (none / 0)
Where the hell did *you* grow up? Unless you're talking about Teenage Mutant Ninjua Turtles, I have no idea what you mean. As for Rocky and Bullwinkle I have to admit that always put me to sleep. Scooby-Doo and Tom & Jerry on the other hand we're quality. The best were those special cartoons they would play on days when kids had weekday holidays from school. I don't think they do that these days. But there was that really old cartoon where it showed all of the cars of the future...like the one that would shave you on the way to work.

God I loved those.

by ihavenobias on 02/21/2008 10:55:58 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Who can hip hop better than a frog can! (none / 0)
I take it you didn't watch "comic strip" back in the late eighties.  Come to think of it, the creators of these hip hop frogs were probably a little racist, but back then it was all about the Beastie Boys and Run DMC...

Street Frogs!

by rev24 on 02/21/2008 11:56:27 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Scooby is like Law and Order for kids (none / 0)
Every episode is the same.  It gets a little tired.

by Spencer on 02/21/2008 03:59:45 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I agree 100% (none / 0)
except that I watched Scooby as a kid but adults (not including me) watch Law and Order as adults (or CSI 3,000 for that matter).  Every God damn episode is exactly the same.

by ihavenobias on 02/21/2008 04:48:08 PM EST

[ Parent ]
boy, i feel old (none / 0)
i loved "schoolhouse rock" so much that i bought the videos for MY kids!  they're even more fun now!

rocky and bullwinkle are the BEST!

by 1xx3xy on 02/21/2008 02:35:37 AM EST

[ Parent ]
yes (none / 0)
they give me migraines, so water is my drink--except when wine is available

by 1xx3xy on 02/21/2008 02:40:14 AM EST

[ Parent ]
That's it. (none / 0)

I'm slitting my throat.  If that's humor then I've got no reason to live.

by Juarez Traveller on 02/20/2008 11:56:47 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Diet Coke is bad for you? (none / 0)
Then scientists should be studying me instead of laboratory rats. I estimate that I've consumed more than 50,000 Diet Cokes in my life.
 
I'm also a big workout-aholic. I've run more than 50,000 miles in my life.

Maybe one mile of running counteracts the effects of one Diet Coke?

by KenTX on 02/21/2008 12:04:47 AM EST

Seems to me... (none / 0)

...all that running was to the bathroom to get rid of the Diet Coke...

by MedfordTim on 02/21/2008 01:36:49 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Tea helps (none / 0)

When I moved to Japan, cold green tea without sugar replaced Coke and Mountain Dew as my mainline and I lost weight in quick order.  I now go through about five litres of tea.  I'm afraid, however, that I might be setting myself up for serious withdrawal problems in the event that I move back to the States where green tea hasn't quite yet gained enough mainstream appreciation to make it a practical everyday drink (and where, inexplicably, even "plain" green tea contains sugar).

To put it into perspective, Japanese vending machines and convenience stores sell multiple competing brands of bottled tea, so it's never difficult finding some; it's every bit as ubiquitous as American soft drinks are back home, if not more so.  Coca-Cola even sells a bottled green tea called "Hajime" here.  It's pretty good tea, too...but I doubt they'll bring it home to the US because I'm sure Coca-Cola can't be convinced that American consumers would buy enough of their sugarless tea to make it profitable.

by OneHitKill on 02/21/2008 05:53:03 AM EST

Edit (none / 0)

I now go through about five litres of tea

... a week.

by OneHitKill on 02/21/2008 05:54:04 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Yep (none / 0)
Green tea is a great, natural fat loss aid. The combo of caffeine and ECGC boost metabolic rate, although unless you get strong tea, you need to drink a LOT of it all day every day.

They sell good concentrated capsules (the good brands have a standard amount of ECGC, but even many of those brands have a low amount per capsule, anyone interested should look for 75mg or so of ECGC per cap and take 3 per day which is the amount used in research on fat loss).

It's a great (albeit much milder WRT impact) alternative to strong stimulants, junk that doesn't work and potentially dangerous prescription/black market stuff.

by ihavenobias on 02/21/2008 11:00:20 AM EST

[ Parent ]
lol (none / 0)

Look at the google adwords next to this thread.  "Hey you fatty." 

 

What would be a good green tea to drink here in America?  I don't think the Arizona stuff is particularly healthy.  

 

Also a guest suggestion--get this Author Michael Pollan on to talk about his Eater's Manifesto.  He talks about how ag subsidies and lobbyists are driving our diets, and that we really should all go back to eating whole foods instead of the processed crap they push on us.   

by schmoab on 02/21/2008 12:57:07 PM EST

I agree (none / 0)
Eric Schlosser (author of Fast Food Nation and Reefer Madness among other things) would also make a great guest, for the reason you mention and on other topics.

by ihavenobias on 02/21/2008 01:04:12 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I go away for 36 hours (none / 0)
and this gets the most comments?  lol.  I don't drink sodas/pop either.  well, an occasional root beer, but certainly not diet.  ew.  But my take-home message from this posting was very clear.  I won't ever give my pet rats diet soda. 

by desertpear on 02/21/2008 11:41:57 PM EST

Go figure (none / 0)
I actually think my original post was pretty interesting but clearly less interesting than my post about new research showing how poverty effects the brains of children (which got like 4 replies and was pushed off the main page in 3 seconds by other threads).

Such is life.

by ihavenobias on 02/22/2008 10:43:08 AM EST

[ Parent ]
A Few Quick Points On Diet Drinks (In Light Of The Recent Scare) | 65 comments (65 topical, 0 hidden)
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