Reality TV is, among other things, a window into worlds you might never see for yourself.
Whether it’s the out-and-out rah of Made in Chelsea, the dramas and hedonism of Geordie Shore, or glimpses of the trials and tribulations of being professionally fabulous in Keeping Up with the Kardashians, there’s no end of so-called reality TV insights into how the other half lives.
With The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, now back on Disney+ for a second season, the focus is on how modern Mormon women navigate the challenges of Mormonhood in the 21st century.
According to Disney+, the series follows the group of Mormon women whose "world implodes when their social media empire (#MomTok) gets embroiled in a sex scandal that makes international headlines". During the new season, the impact the show has on their marriages and their faith comes under the spotlight.
A core tenet of the Mormon faith is abstinence from alcohol and drugs.
So instead of getting their kicks from booze, fizzy drinks are often their 'go to'.
Given soda’s importance to many people in the Church, there’s a tendency to jazz them up into ‘dirty sodas’ featuring a soda base with cream, flavoured syrups, and other accoutrement like fruit and sweets.
"We don't drink alcohol or do drugs, so [soda is] kind of our vice," said Demi Engemann, one of the titular Mormon Wives in one episode of the show. She’s then seen ordering her signature dirty soda drink which amounts to sparkling water blended with sugar-free coconut, vanilla, raspberry, pineapple, and coconut cream.
The episode also shows fellow Mormon and single momfluencer Layla Taylor admitting to drinking huge amounts of soda.
“Six out of the seven days of the week, I’m having at least one 44-ounce soda," she said in the episode.
While it’s not necessarily as bad for you as alcohol, fizzy drinks nevertheless pose a risk to your health. Those risks are compounded by the ‘dirty’ trend of blending other sugary substances with them.
Lauren Manaker, a registered dietician, noted that regular soda consumption can ‘contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and tooth decay’ thanks to their high sugar and calorie content.
"Classic diet sodas that include ingredients like phosphoric acid may pose risks to bone health over time," Manaker told delish, adding: "Artificial sweeteners present in some diet sodas might affect gut health, although more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects."
Many members of the Mormon Wives cast skip coffee for religious reasons too, but Manaker said that it’s a better option health-wise than a fizzy drink. Many dirty sodas are packed with caffeine, especially compared with a regular coffee, but lack the nutrients that coffee offers.
Coffee is rich in vitamin B12, niacin, magnesium and potassium, as well as containing various antioxidants.
"Coffee, when consumed in moderation, can actually offer health benefits thanks to its antioxidants and potential positive effects on brain health and metabolism," said Manaker. "Compared to many sodas, coffee tends to be a better choice, especially when consumed with minimal added sugar or cream."
Social media users have been busy sharing their thoughts on the Mormon Wives’ beverage preferences, noting the health risks and unusual nature of their soda priorities.
“The Mormon show has broken my brain,” said one X user. “I can’t stop thinking about ‘Swig’, the soda shop they all frequent daily that sells 44 ounce sodas with things like milk and mango puree in Mountain Dew for $2.22. #SecretLivesOfMormonWives.”
Plenty more see the merits of going for a soda over booze, with some defending the Mormon Wives’ choices by pointing out they generally use giant pop as the base.
“I’m also in California and decided to put a little cream in my diet vanilla Dr Pepper today for the first time,” said a Redditor. “Consider me influenced… it was actually delicious.”
“I live in Arizona,” added another. “The soda shops are everywhere here too! Echoing what everybody already said; they’re drinking diet sodas usually. Honestly the drinks are delicious IMO.”
Featured Image Credit: HuluTopics: US Food, TV and Film, Restaurants and bars
Kerri-Ann Roper