Does anyone have tips for ditching the sugary drinks?

Kath1391

I've recently been drinking more Coke,sprite etc & I know it's really not good for me.I usually have two cups of tea a day with one sugar but my coke intake is getting ridiculous.Problem is I'm struggling to give it up,It gives me headaches,it's clearly not good for my teeth etc so it needs to go but It's addicting.I need to drink more water but it tastes so horrible,So has anyone got any tips for drinking more water and getting rid of the soda please?

mcibty

I know it sounds like stupid advice, but just drink the water. You'll soon find that you'll NEED the water, over anything else. If you have the will power to ditch the soda, there's not magic trick except to just chose water. It becomes a good habit soon enough.

milano33

Try replacing the soda with diet soda and the sugar in your tea with sweetener. For the water there are flavour drops (like MIO Energy).

Snow3y

I turned it into a habit ... and force myself to think of how **** it is and how much it pulls me back from my goals... Really, I'd rather drink nothing than a sugary drink that takes toll on my goals

BeardedMike

Yeah i agree. I never used to able to drink water on its own, and would drink a lot of soda type drinks. There is no magic way other than just doing it. These days I NEED the water and don't drink any kind of soda drink. Water, water, maybe the occasional juice and more water.

glin23

I'm not a person who can quit cold turkey, so I might phase them out by starting to drink them every other day for a few days/weeks or perhaps try to drink 1 cup a day and then go it that way. But if you can do it cold turkey, more power to you.

nomoredoughnuts

Try chilled water with mint and lime or lemon. Or you can make ice cubes with anything you like like berries, cucumber, herbs etc.

http://www.brit.co/ice-ice-baby-5-creative-takes-on-the-ice-cube/

aquarabbit

I still struggle with this since I am a coca cola addict. I had one today and it was divine! But here's what I have been doing to keep my cravings at bay. Drink iced tea instead. I know it sounds strange, but it really does help the cravings. A lot of people I know have done this too and agree it works. Just unsweetened ice tea. Add lemon or even orange if you want. Another thing that's helped. Go to the store and buy a Soda Stream. It's the best thing I've ever bought. I just reduce some juice (any kind really) until the mix has thickened and the flavor has intensified or I just make a homemade syrup from fresh fruit. Then you'll take 1/2 of you concentrated juice and 1/2 soda stream fizzy water and you have a homemade soda! The possibilities for flavors are endless. I've even made my own cola syrup before. I also use my soda stream for batter. You get this great fish and chips like batter if you use fizzy water to make a batter and you usually can forgo the flour and eggs.

astartig

can you tolerate fizzy water with no sugar? it comes with flavors. it might take some time to get over the lack of sweet but for me anyway, it's really about the fizz more than the sugary part.

you could try adding a splash of lime or cranberry (unsweetened) to some water for a little flavor.

battyg13

Will power :-)
If you want to do something then do it. its the best way.

Jennyflies

I started drinking diet soda's then phased them out with crystal lights. Now whenever I have juice or a reg soda I think it tastes gross. Ive never been a fan or reg water...Im trying to phase myself out of the crystal lights too...its hard!

LTGPSA

I find that by using an occasional Crystal Light single in a 32 oz bottle of water - it breaks up the monotony of water. Some people use fresh squeezed lemon or lime to jazz up their water also. Along with what others have already said, think about all of the unknowns that go into those types of beverages. It's a transition, but you can do it! :flowerforyou:

agzdaredz

Sugar free drinks!!!! I buy the cheap ones love em!

Enic03

I absolutely couldn't stand water until I filled up my canelback with it and made sure it was the only drink I had at work. The sippy on it helped me to drink more... No idea how that works, haha. Stopped buying sodas at the house too and now water is my obsession. Occasionally I do need to mix it up though either with alittle powerade, orange tea or some herbal tea. As long as the main drink is water you will be good with an occassional juice drink

Kath1391

Thank you to everyone for the advice! Definitely give them all a try

OtakuMusician

Every time you crave a soda, or any type of sugary drink, drink water. After a while when your body has those cravings, you'll want water instead.

nashiyashi

This is one of those things that I think you just have to quit "cold turkey" style, I truly believe that sugar is an addiction and the more you become accustomed to eating sweet things the more you crave sweet things! I never drank soda but I grew up drinking juice a lot and I always needed some kind of sweet drink. When I got to college I started only drinking water as a way to save money and now when I drink juice/fruit punch at parties etc. I can only have a few sips before I feel like it is too sweet, I have even been known to pour myself half a cup of juice and fill the rest with tap water to "dilute it" which causes people to look at me oddly :P

I would recommend giving up all drinks but water as well as limiting other sweet treats for a while, you will probably go through withdrawel symptoms from the lack of sugar and feel very sluggish for the first week or so but after that you should start to feel more normal and like you don't even need those things any more! Good luck!

nashiyashi

I would also avoid artifically sweeted drinks, as there has been research showing these actually stimulate the appetite to crave sugars in their own way, better to just give it up altogether imho, but it's up to you!

nolachick

water. lots of it.
also when u log and see how many cals in drinks u will be so pissed u wasted valuable calories on drinks!

kristenveganvixen

Try something flavoured, or diluting juice, or herbal tea?

I love the Mizzumint mint flavoured water when I'm doing a fast day, it's something that's lovely and refreshing on it's own but doesn't really "go" with food.

Plain water is much nicer chilled or with ice.

Gmtribble90

I really like the Metromint waters. They come in a variety of flavors and have a hint of mint in them to jazz things up. Just make sure you drink them cold.

They really helped me kick my habit, along with the occasional Crystal Light

Katrina_vw91

I kicked the sugar drinks with Mio and water. I haven't looked back since haha.

hannamarie88

I'm not sure how bad they are for you -- but I used to get flavored sparkling water from the grocery store. I will mention that I love, have loved, will always love to drink water. The straight up clear liquid. Idk why. I just love water. Maybe it's cause I'm a cancer (water sign), but not really.

ANYWAY -- Maybe try those out because they are tasty. Or the little water shots possibly too.

_Zardoz_

I would also avoid artifically sweeted drinks, as there has been research showing these actually stimulate the appetite to crave sugars in their own way, better to just give it up altogether imho, but it's up to you!

That research is questionable at best.

garber6th

I started drinking VItamin Water Zero. Not because I think they do anything miraculous, but they are naturally sweetened with Truvia (stevia). I drink a lot of plain water, but I like having the Vitamin Water on hand when I want something with a little flavor.

Ninkyou

Go cold turkey. It's what I did. I got rid of the soda cans and replaced it with bottled water. Water is the only thing I drink now (except protein shakes).

Owligator

I have a problem with this too because as a server I'm constantly around a plethora of sodas. I hate the taste of soda water but I've tried drinking more flavored soda water, it has aspartame which could be bad but it helped temporarily to up my water intake. Like others have mentioned, the mios are great as well - my favorite being fruit punch.

Aliviuum

Water + Propel + Lemon juice. I typically use 1/2 packet of Propel to a full bottle of water and squeeze the juice of a fresh lemon in it. Throw in a few cubes of ice and I'm good to go

tlc12078

Force yourself to drink more water. I had the same problem, as soon as I turned to water i noticed I wanted to drink it more, esp on hot days. If I want more other than water I turned to water enhancers such as Mio and they have so many flavors.

Vincentsz

Open the soda can and turn it upside down! Then Grab glass fill with water apply to lips and imbibe!

Hope this helps!

aliceb39

I started drinking more water when I realized I drank lots of water at restaurants and figured out it's the ice water. It also helps me to set a time limit. I fill a 24 oz glass about 2/3 water and 1/3 ice and drink one between breakfast and lunch, another by/with dinner, and one before bed.