Is drinking soda really that bad for you?

Read the low down on drinking soda. Great report from CNN News! Personally, I prefer Water.

Editor's note: Dr. Melina Jampolis, CNN's diet and fitness expert, is a physician nutrition specialist and the author of "The Calendar Diet: A Month by Month Guide to Losing Weight While Living Your Life."

(CNN) -- Q: I've heard so much about the dangers of drinking soda. Is it really all that bad for you? Or is it just empty calories?

You may have heard about a new study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Nutrition that found an increased risk of stroke in people who consumed more than one soda per day.

These findings are not surprising in light of the growing body of evidence linking intake of sugar sweetened beverages -- of which soda makes up the largest percentage -- and diseases such as......

read complete article here: http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/18/health/jampolis-dangers-drinking-soda/index.html

Stop The Cravings

Try replacing sugary foods or refined-carbohydrate foods with higher-protein foods for a few days.

By eating less of the quickly-absorbed carbohydrates, keeping moderate amounts of lean proteins and healthy fats in your diet, and getting a reasonable amount of physical activity, you set the stage for weight loss. These strategies form the basis of the smart good-carb approach. Put the emphasis on unrefined carbohydrate foods, and you will get more fiber, vitamins, and minerals to help slow the absorption of carbohydrates into your bloodstream. Slow, gradual absorption will prevent your body from producing excess insulin and prevent sudden or excessive drops in blood sugar. As a result, you experience less hunger and are less likely to get sudden urges for sweets.