i am a home health nurse w/out access to R.D. my patient is a sweet elderly lady, suffering legitimate depression, multi health problems, limited mobility & finances. fast food is easy food for her, and is her 'drug' of choice. and yes, there's some renal stuff going on, but not acute. would she benefit from switching to diet soda, or is it worth the effort? on many a good day she will be <150, frequently 200, but those parties at her senior residence, and trips to 'sonic burger' and she's 475, easily. any suggestions besides water?
Q: which is worse, diet or reg soda for an ALREADY obese, cardiopulm non-compliant iddm patient?
Answers (4)
2/ 8/09 12:28pm
I agree with Frank. I would choose ice tea over diet pop any day. Tea is also cheaper to buy.
Cherise
Community Moderator
2/ 5/09 5:08pm
iced tea with lemon (and a little sugar if needed- will still be way less than pop)
2/ 5/09 6:15pm
The suggestion of tea/lemon/ sweetner is good. Have a couple of friends that drink favored water or water with just lemon. I'm a pepsi addict and have to watch it. A lot of companies will put sodium in their diet drinks and if your patient needs to watch salt intake this could be a problem. I prefer coffee, hot tea, or iced water no sweetner and no soda diet or plain. Saw show on TV how when eating out try to cut down on mayo, other dressings, and less burger, more chicken or fish. If she will go that route. Good Luck, after working with the elderly in nursing home, you can only do so much. 
2/ 5/09 9:56pm
I drink diet pepsi. No carbs with very low sodium. I also drink tea (hot or cold) with sugar substitue. Water Is always best. I will also drink sugar free Kool-Aid, and Crystal Light drinks.
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By ma2ya2— Last Modified: 11/21/10, First Published: 02/04/09
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