One of my realizations was that drinking calories was kinda stupid. When you've got a limited calorie budget, using that up on fruit juice, gatorade, beer, or sugared soda doesn't work well. Save the calories for food.

At this point, all I ever drink is Coke Zero, water, and occasionally bourbon. A glass of OJ or a bottle of Coke just isn't worth the 200 calories, but I still like to drink something with flavor. And since I hate the taste of coffee and unsweetened tea tastes worse than plain water to me, that leaves me with diet soda.

I don't kid myself into thinking I can eat more 'cause I'm drinking Coke Zero, nor do I in any way think it is either good for me, or not bad for me. It's just something I can live with that is better than the alternatives.