To Eat, Or Not to Eat

Thanks, Stacy. Hadn't thought to make that connection with soda replacing other foods. I do know people who drink diet soda as a food substitute; then of course later they're so hungry they grab whatever's handy, healthy or not. Great advice.

As a registered dietitian, I have to agree with Melanie's conclusion on this one: Moderation in all things. Connecting the dots between diet and disease can be difficult. Research subjects are often required to remember what and how much they've eaten of a particular food. Anyone who has kept a food journal can tell you it's not that easy sometimes. Another important thing to keep in mind about this study is that high calorie, sugary foods often crowd out more nutritious foods. People who consume large amounts of soft drinks may not be eating many fruits and vegetables, which have been shown to reduce cancer risks. Since soda offers no nutritional benefit, it's definitely worth taking a closer look at how much you are consuming.