The Vice-O-Meter: Dr. Oz Helps You Kick Your Worst Habits
Just how bad is it to eat a whole bag of chips in one sitting? Or sip more than one glass of wine a day? Here, a ranking of the things we do when we think no one's looking and how to stop.
By Dr. Mehmet Oz
Drinking Diet Soda Every Day
Vice-O-Meter: 8
The Harm:
The good news is that artificial sweeteners (like aspartame and sucralose) found in "diet" or "light" soft drinks won't give you cancer. But large-scale studies indicate that they can lead to weight gain. Increasing evidence suggests that fake sugars activate the brain's reward pathways differently than natural sugars do. As a result, you don't feel as satisfied—and your appetite actually increases.
The Cure:
Switch to juice—or better yet, develop a water habit. If you must drink soda, have a regular and dilute it with seltzer.
The Harm:
The good news is that artificial sweeteners (like aspartame and sucralose) found in "diet" or "light" soft drinks won't give you cancer. But large-scale studies indicate that they can lead to weight gain. Increasing evidence suggests that fake sugars activate the brain's reward pathways differently than natural sugars do. As a result, you don't feel as satisfied—and your appetite actually increases.
The Cure:
Switch to juice—or better yet, develop a water habit. If you must drink soda, have a regular and dilute it with seltzer.
From the August 2012 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.