# I hereby ban the totally retarded adage - "fat guy was drinking diet coke LOL"
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [January 22, 2008, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457 "2008-01-22T03:35:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 5
### Author:  [@Ferns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferns)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2008, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/81 "2008-01-22T20:50:13Z")
[QUOTE=Nutty Bunny]
Although, if I cheat and have a soda at all, it’s a regular and I’ll drink a soda a day for a week before I go back to water again.
[/QUOTE]
Especially when you stop and consider the math. There are 3500 calories in a pound of body fat. 1 20-oz full-sugar soda has about 250 calories. 1-a-day for a week = 1750 extra, empty calories. Which if you did this every week (I know you said you don’t , but just FYI for those who do), that could equate to a 26-pound weight gain over the course of a _single year_. :eek:
Or, put another way, if a person was keeping to their daily calorie needs, the substitution of just one diet soda for a full-sugar one could result in a 26-pound per year weight loss. And that’s without changing your diet OR exercising. Just that tiny substitution.. Worth it if you ask me, to learn to like the taste of the diet stuff.
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### Author:  [@Ferns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferns)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/82 "2008-01-22T20:52:47Z")
I see several posters beat me to it. :smack:
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2008, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/83 "2008-01-22T20:57:04Z")
I think someone here once said, “Don’t drink your calories”. Makes sense to me-waste them on food, not on pop.
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### Author:  [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2008, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/84 "2008-01-22T20:57:51Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia]
I also happened upon a case of Caffeine-Free DP, which I’ve never seen before.
[/QUOTE]
My mother has been drinking Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi since the 1980s (after she finally stopped drinking Diet Shasta, which was like fizzy, watery vomit IMO), when it was called Pepsi Free. In fact, she still calls it that.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/85 "2008-01-22T21:06:59Z")
I remember Pepsi Free when I was little-it was the only Pepsi my mother let me drink, because I wasn’t allowed to have caffeine as a kid.
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### Author:  [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/86 "2008-01-22T21:18:59Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia]
I remember Pepsi Free when I was little-it was the only Pepsi my mother let me drink, because I wasn’t allowed to have caffeine as a kid.
[/QUOTE]
You want a Pepsi, you’re gonna pay for it.
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### Author:  [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/87 "2008-01-22T21:25:00Z")
I switched to diet after I had a lot of dental work done. The dentist said the easiest way to avoid a repeat visit was to stop drinking regular. Haven’t looked back, and now I wonder what the hell I was thinking, letting all that sugar fester in my mouth.
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### Author:  [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/88 "2008-01-22T23:43:01Z")
Fat people who drink regular soft drinks walk like this. (Walks around this thread in a stiff gait)
Fat people who drink regular soft drinks walk like _theeeeeeyiiiiiiiiis_. (Struts around this thread in a suave, fluid gait.)
(Cue footage of people in the audience flailing their arms in the air and laughing hysterically)
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### Author:  [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2008, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/89 "2008-01-23T00:04:58Z")
Blood sugar
I can eat a two pound steak, but if I drink a regular Coke with it, my blood sugar shoots up high!
If I were to switch to a healthy alternative like carrot juice or apple juice. :eek:
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### Author:  [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2008, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/90 "2008-01-23T00:40:37Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood]
Fat people who drink regular soft drinks walk like this. (Walks around this thread in a stiff gait)
Fat people who drink regular soft drinks walk like _theeeeeeyiiiiiiiiis_. (Struts around this thread in a suave, fluid gait.)
[/QUOTE]
Ha! It’s funny 'cause it’s true.
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### Author:  [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2008, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/91 "2008-01-23T00:48:16Z")
[QUOTE=Vinyl Turnip]
As do I, but only because there are so many other dangerous and disturbing trends in politically correct America to choose from.
Assuming that by “fat acceptance” we’re not talking about “Let’s not beat up the fat kid every day after school just because he’s fat,” which is an idea I can get behind. I presume the OP to be referring to that uniquely American\* definition of “fat acceptance” which encompasses sentiments like
“Land whales are a _protected class_!”
“7+ chins is SEXXY!!!”
“Waaa! Let’s sue the networks because someone on TV made a _fat joke_!”
“We can’t _hellllp_ it! It’s all _genetic_!”
“How _dare_ that school counselor imply that my 300-pound fifth grader has a _weight problem_! They’re creating an environment of _intolerance_!”
“We’re just like people who are _blind_ or have _cancer_! You wouldn’t blame _them_, would you?”
“I was _publicly humiliated_ when that restaurant owner said I couldn’t go back for a twelfth plate from the buffet! All you can eat means ALL YOU CAN EAT!”
“I was _discriminated_ against because the airline didn’t have a _cattle sling_ to hoist me aboard the plane! Let’s hold a protest mar… er, a _sit-in_!”
\*For the time being, although an NPR story I heard recently indicated that the “Fat Acceptance” movement is jiggling and slouching its way over to France, where it’s found limited success so far.
[/QUOTE]
I think that’s what the OP was referring to, which I agree with. Being “accepting” of someone because of their size (when, of course, it is within their control) is akin to enabling them to be unhealthy. I’m fat. Not land whale fat, but at 6’5" 375, I could stand to lose a few dozen lb’s. I don’t want society to say to me "Hey tubby, it’s all good, you’re fine the way you are. Fact is, I’m not. Diabetes runs in my family, as does heart disease and a few assorted other harbingers of early death. Being fat is deadly. “Accepting” it within society is dangerous and stupid.
Conversely, the skeletal, and equally unhealthy runway models are nothing to look up to either, nor should we as a culture “accept” that look or type as something to be. There needs to exist a healthy, happy medium, a place where people who aren’t suffering from a medical condition that makes them, as a very good 450lb friend of mine says “circus fat” can look to for inspiration. As far as the diet coke thing? Well, I love the stuff. Sometimes I drink sugared pop if that’s all there is, but generally, it’s diet soda. I shouldn’t have as much as I do but I dig it, what can I say?
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### Author:  [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2008, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/92 "2008-01-23T01:09:13Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia]
I remember Pepsi Free when I was little-it was the only Pepsi my mother let me drink, because I wasn’t allowed to have caffeine as a kid.
[/QUOTE]
My parents didn’t worry about caffeine (at least I don’t think they did) but most of the time they’d only buy diet drinks. So I grew up drinking diet whatever. I still drink regular sodas from time to time as a treat (especially Mexican-bottled Coke) when I’m not on my diet (not only is it empty calories but it kills the low-carb diet) but the vast majority of soda I drink (and to be fair, I drink far too much) is diet. And the sweeteners and flavors have definitely gotten better over the years.
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### Author:  [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2008, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/93 "2008-01-23T01:29:41Z")
[QUOTE=Bosstone]
You want a Pepsi, you’re gonna pay for it.
[/QUOTE]
All I wanted was a Pepsi! Just one Pepsi!
Your government would like you to drink more corn. Pretty please. That is all.
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### Author:  [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2008, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/94 "2008-01-23T01:48:32Z")
[QUOTE=Vinyl Turnip]
“Land whales are a _protected class_!”
[/QUOTE]
For some reason, this cracks me up.
Anyway, I buy my soda on sale, typically 99 cents for two liters, and in three flavours: Diet Orange Crush, Diet Cream Soda and Diet Root Beer. The other day I picked up a Diet chocolate cherry Dr. Pepper out of curiosity. It’s okay and if it also becomes available for 99-cents, it might get added to the list.
In restaurants, I get a regular orange or root beer if I can, because I don’t particularly like _any_ variety of Coke/Pepsi
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### Author:  [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2008, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/95 "2008-01-23T02:34:36Z")
[QUOTE=PunditLisa]
I think both Nzinga and Neutron need to forget the sodas and try a beer.
[/QUOTE]
😃
I had to train our new creepy, assault-rifle-obsessed, potential-serial-killer employee last night at work. His presence never fails to turn me into a total dick.
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### Author:  [@Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2008, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/96 "2008-01-23T03:45:39Z")
[QUOTE=Vinyl Turnip]
I presume the OP to be referring to that uniquely American\* definition of “fat acceptance” which encompasses sentiments like
“Land whales are a _protected class_!”
“7+ chins is SEXXY!!!”
“Waaa! Let’s sue the networks because someone on TV made a _fat joke_!”
“We can’t _hellllp_ it! It’s all _genetic_!”
“How _dare_ that school counselor imply that my 300-pound fifth grader has a _weight problem_! They’re creating an environment of _intolerance_!”
“We’re just like people who are _blind_ or have _cancer_! You wouldn’t blame _them_, would you?”
“I was _publicly humiliated_ when that restaurant owner said I couldn’t go back for a twelfth plate from the buffet! All you can eat means ALL YOU CAN EAT!”
“I was _discriminated_ against because the airline didn’t have a _cattle sling_ to hoist me aboard the plane! Let’s hold a protest mar… er, a _sit-in_!”
… the “Fat Acceptance” movement is jiggling and slouching its way over to France, where it’s found limited success so far
[/QUOTE]
My idea of ‘fat acceptance’ encompasses a bit more than not committing assault against fat kids. It dares to stretch to believing that terms like ‘land whale’ are fucking slurs. If you aren’t a 14 year old, do a better job of not posting like one.
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### Author:  [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2008, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/97 "2008-01-23T04:47:20Z")
Mommy! The fat lady _yelled_ at me!
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### Author:  [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2008, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/98 "2008-01-23T05:15:23Z")
[QUOTE=Bosstone]
Exaggeration, maybe, but just because you happen to not be part of the vast majority doesn’t instantly refute what was said.
I drink diet soda for the flavor AND lack of sugar/corn syrup. Win win!
[/QUOTE]
How do you know you’re in the vast majority? Diet drinks have “diet” in the name because they are marketed as a low calorie alternative to the regular variety. If they were being marketed for their taste, they would be marketed as just a different version. Coke Lite or Pepsi Lite or something similar. For all you know you are not part of the vast majority, since you prefer the taste of diet. Again, I would like to see a cite for such claims.
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### Author:  [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2008, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/99 "2008-01-23T09:11:59Z")
[QUOTE=cochrane]
How do you know you’re in the vast majority? Diet drinks have “diet” in the name because they are marketed as a low calorie alternative to the regular variety. If they were being marketed for their taste, they would be marketed as just a different version. Coke Lite or Pepsi Lite or something similar. For all you know you are not part of the vast majority, since you prefer the taste of diet. Again, I would like to see a cite for such claims.
[/QUOTE]
Coke Lite or Pepsi Lite, huh? You’d better visit Europe some time, then.
Obviously people who drink the sugary versions would be the vast majority. What else would they be with a pound of sugar in every Big Gulp?
–Mal, reforming fattie, likes the cut of **Vinyl Turnip** ’s jib.
> [@elmwood](#):
>
> Fat people who drink regular soft drinks walk like this. (Walks around this thread in a stiff gait)
>
> Fat people who drink regular soft drinks walk like theeeeeeyiiiiiiiiis. (Struts around this thread in a suave, fluid gait.)
If X then Y. If X then ~Y. Therefore ~X. Conclusion: fat people do not drink regular soft drinks. _That_ is why the fat guy was drinking diet soda. 😃
---
### Author:  [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2008, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-ban-the-totally-retarded-adage-fat-guy-was-drinking-diet-coke-lol/434457/100 "2008-01-23T10:38:54Z")
[QUOTE=Malacandra]
Coke Lite or Pepsi Lite, huh? You’d better visit Europe some time, then.
[/QUOTE]
I’ve never been to Europe. Explain, please? This went right over my head.
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