I am trying very hard to live a healthier lifestyle and lose some weight. I am significantly overweight, and I have decided I am giving myself until April to get this under control or I will have to look into bariatric surgery, which is something I have always said I would not do. Hopefully this will be the motivation I need to get it under control once and for all!
One of the areas I want to change is to get off the diet sodas, which are very much an addiction of mine. I rarely drink coffee or tea, so this is my "caffeine kick" to get me going. In the past when I have tried to wean myself off them, I get killer withdrawal headaches, no matter how slowly I make the transition. I firmly believe that there is nothing redeeming about sodas, diet or otherwise, and I want to get them out of my diet. I try to remind myself that they are full of chemicals, that they leech the calcium out of my bones, that they stimulate appetite...but the little voice in my head says "I don't care, they taste good!"
Has anyone kicked the soda habit for good? Any tips on getting off the canned stuff?
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I've been a diet soda addict since age 15, and now I'm 28 years of age. I drink them because of the high incidence of diabetes in my family. My mother, father, and many other relatives are diabetics, and I have been trying to delay the onset of the disease in me.
I wish I could drink more water, but I always crave soda whenever I am sipping on the water. I also notice that I get more satisfaction when I drink regular soda versus diet soda. For example, I feel more satiated and complete with one regular coke, but I need to drink 2 or 3 diet sodas over the course of a day to attain the same effect.
Also, a doctor from my distant past seems to think that excessive aspartame intake is the culprit behind my thyroid disease. I started the diet soda habit at age 15, and was diagnosed with autoimmune Graves' disease at age 17. Thyroid diseases do not run in my family, so it is just a theory.
I was drinking two or three glasses of Diet Coke with Lime a day until I read about this study last month. That was enough to scare me off the horse, LOL. I quit immediately.
How do I get by? Ice water. And I don't mean putting a few cubes in a glass and filling it with tap. I mean, I pack a pitcher with ice, fill up whatever space is available, and take a few sips whenever I pass by. It is brutally cold and very refreshing. Every time I pour a cup to give with meds, I pour myself a gulp, too. It's the icy sensation in my mouth that keeps me satisfied.
I still have my black coffee in the morning, though. I don't care what any study finds. No way am I giving that up.
Kudos to the OP for taking charge of her health. You're inspiring.
I did it cold turkey, honestly I feel less bloated and "blah"-of course they taste better. Now I just drink water. I know it's hard though, so try to wean yourself off. Buy the tiny ones, the 8 ouncers and use them as rewards. Now.....back I go to my nervous system notes, water, and ricecakes
Honestly, and to go against the grain here, why not concentrate on weight instead of something like diet soda? Extra pounds hurt a lot more than diet soda.
Ok, I've thought of something else for you in my great efforts to postpone studying for my anatomy test: What about filling up on foods with a negative calorie count so there's no room for diet soda. The ones I can think of off the top of my head: blueberries, lettuce, grapefruit........I'm sure there's more. Good luck :)
I have a Pepsi problem, but it is so hard for me not to have one! I don't drink coffee so I feel like I need my Pepsi.
I've tried to quit, but that only lasted a week. I'm going to try again and start with crystal lights fruit punch mixed with water once a day and see if that works.
I'm not a soda drinker and don't crave it. But I do have coffee in the morning - two cups. I have gotten the caffeine withdrawal headache and just took some ibuprofen for that.
I cut back on my caffeine due to heart palpitations.
Plain water doesn't cut it for me in the thirst department - unless I'm running, then ice cold water is refreshing.
I really like Crystal Light - It quenches my thirst.
Soda is not in the least bit tempting to me. But I couldn't get moving in the a.m. w/o coffee.
I'd focus on calories - cutting them. And never drink a full-sugar soda.
Thanks for the replies. Yikes---that study about the kidney implications is frightening! I am definitely cutting calories, and have my first meeting with the personal trainer today as well! My focus is not just on weight loss but on healthy living...walking the walk not just talking the talk. I don't want it to be one thing or the other, I want to work on the total package. But, if I am seriously craving something "bad" I am more apt to reach for a Diet Dr. Pepper than a cupcake, so I guess that is sort of a good thing as far as weight loss goes!
My other reason for really wanting to get off the sodas is because I am pretty sure they contribute to my migraines, and I also have had kidney stones and NEED to increase my H2O intake.
I am managing to cut back on sodas and increase my water/decaf tea, and I think I will try and drop off the sodas next week during winter break. Thanks for all the great tips!
Has anyone kicked the soda habit for good? Any tips on getting off the canned stuff?
I kicked a case-a-week Diet Pepsi Max habit cold turkey. It was miserable: severe headaches, nausea, malaise - felt like the flu without fever. Fortunately, like other physical dependencies, those symptoms went away after about 3 days.
I now drink a lot more water and have a regular soda once or twice a week. Still drink coffee 3-4 times a week, but not the 4-5 cups a day I was doing not too long ago.
i have...i now carry around a "bubba keg" of iced tea sweetened with splenda, love it! i also discovered fresca..i suppose it is still considered soda..but it is calorie-free sparkling water flavored with fruit juice, i don't like the original (grapefruit), but the peach is delish!! i treat myself to a can or two a day, i don't miss the other stuff, and feel a heck of a lot better too! best wishes! :heartbeat
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
I've been a diet soda addict since age 15, and now I'm 28 years of age. I drink them because of the high incidence of diabetes in my family. My mother, father, and many other relatives are diabetics, and I have been trying to delay the onset of the disease in me.
I wish I could drink more water, but I always crave soda whenever I am sipping on the water. I also notice that I get more satisfaction when I drink regular soda versus diet soda. For example, I feel more satiated and complete with one regular coke, but I need to drink 2 or 3 diet sodas over the course of a day to attain the same effect.
Also, a doctor from my distant past seems to think that excessive aspartame intake is the culprit behind my thyroid disease. I started the diet soda habit at age 15, and was diagnosed with autoimmune Graves' disease at age 17. Thyroid diseases do not run in my family, so it is just a theory.