Diet Drinks & Depression

I have known this for a while, but it wasn’t until recently that I decided to do something about it…When I drink diet drinks, I become foggy and depressed.  Ok, if I drink one every now and then, that’s not true.  It happens when I drink them frequently.  


For example, I have not been drinking them very often since being back at work.  However, this weekend, I had one during the day Saturday, at a restaurant on Saturday night, and then again on Sunday afternoon.  The result?  I woke up this morning (Monday) lethargic and kind of blue.  Typically I wake up before my alarm READY TO GO!!! Not today.  I had to talk myself into getting out of the bed and pushing PLAY on my workout.  Once I had done it, I felt so much better, but the connection is undeniable.  

Apparently, the aspartame in diet drinks plays major tricks on our unsuspecting brains…sneaky apspartame! Of course, there are a host of other side effects diet drinks can cause, but this is the most immediate side effect for me.  So, what alternatives do I (we) have?  Here are a few: 

• Black coffee – studies have shown that by switching to black coffee, depression tendencies in individuals were reversed!  Good thing, I love coffee.
• Green Tea – this drink is packed with antioxidants; it is a natural cancer preventor; it boosts your brain activity, AND it contains enough caffeine to give you a little “pick up.”
• Super Smoothie – Of course, I recommend Shakeology, but really any smoothie packed with fresh veggies and fruits and very little sugar is going to boost your energy.  I choose Shakeology.   This stuff really does give me a boost of energy, but why wouldn’t it? It is packed full of nutrients your body needs and created allow your body to absorb them very quickly!  It’s all natural and super yummy!

So, if you struggle with depression and drink diet drinks on a regular basis, think about cutting them out for a little while and see what the result is.  I remember that when I had been off of them for a week, I could think and organize much more clearly!


It’s worth a shot!  Here is a link to an article about the research that finds the link between diet drinks and depression.


Also, if you haven’t already, please read my post about clean eating and how it greatly improved my PMDD!!! It has changed so many things for the better in my life!