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Quitting pop.

ataraxial
ataraxial Posts: 185 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I find it so hard to stop drinking pop. Ever since I was a kid I drink at least three bottles of Mountain Dew a day. I don't like the taste of anything else and I know it's unhealthy for me. I've tried several times to stop, but end up going back to it. I always turn to it whenever I am stressed out (which is frequently) Currently, I am making it so I have no access to pop in my house and I keep unsweetened tea around so I don't get headaches.. but I can just sit here and think about how bad I want a pop. Anyone have any advice that helps them with this... issue?
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Replies

  • Heather4448
    Heather4448 Posts: 908 Member
    I drink diet. Gallons and gallons of the stuff.
  • GrumpyHeadmistress
    GrumpyHeadmistress Posts: 666 Member
    Heather4448 wrote: »
    I drink diet. Gallons and gallons of the stuff.

    Me too. At least a 750ml bottle of Diet Coke a day.
  • ataraxial
    ataraxial Posts: 185 Member
    I LOATHE diet soda. I think it tastes terrible!
  • ataraxial
    ataraxial Posts: 185 Member
    I'd rather stick to tea.. but it doesn't make me want a pop any less.
  • Chef_Barbell
    Chef_Barbell Posts: 6,644 Member
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    Two choices (if diet isn't an option)

    1. Cut it out
    2. Make it fit in your calories for the day

    This.
  • vespiquenn
    vespiquenn Posts: 1,455 Member
    Chef_Barbell wrote: »
    Also try Diet Dr. Pepper. This changed my opinion of diet soda.

    +1 for this too.

    I don't know how they get so much flavor into a diet soda. It astounds me to this day. :lol:

  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Chef_Barbell wrote: »
    Also try Diet Dr. Pepper. This changed my opinion of diet soda.

    Guess what I'm drinking right now. ;)
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,241 Member
    What size mountain dew are you drinking? I started buying the mini cans of soda when I buy it (which isn't that often). Most of those are just 90-110 calories or so. If you really want the mountain dew then just limit the amount you can have each day and only drink what fits into your calorie goal. You do not have to completely cut it out.
  • jaymijones
    jaymijones Posts: 171 Member
    Is it the fizz? The caffeine? The sugar? My husband loves the fizz, but wasn't as attached to rest of it, so he switched to drinking club soda. It took a few months to adjust, but he only occasionally drinks regular soda now.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    vespiquenn wrote: »
    Well seeing that diet is out, have you tried any of the carbonated waters? I know Walmart has their own brand along with many other chains.

    I find that my desire from soda stems from wanting the carbonation and nothing more. So whenever I quit soda, I'd go for those.

    The Clear American waters at WalMart are awesome. 50 cents for 32 ounces. I love the Mandarin Orange and the Key Lime. I drink 1-2 a day!
  • kimkimcoleman
    kimkimcoleman Posts: 105 Member
    I hate diet too. A few years ago I didn't drink any pop for 1 year straight. I just drank coffee in the morning and water all day. Now I will occasionally have one when out to eat and that's it. Just gotta break the habit.
  • ataraxial
    ataraxial Posts: 185 Member
    kgirlhart wrote: »
    What size mountain dew are you drinking? I started buying the mini cans of soda when I buy it (which isn't that often). Most of those are just 90-110 calories or so. If you really want the mountain dew then just limit the amount you can have each day and only drink what fits into your calorie goal. You do not have to completely cut it out.

    I feel like I have to cut it out. I either drink it nonstop (I usually have a 24 oz bottle at all times) or not at all. I can't cut back. I always cave in. I usually quit drinking for a month then relapse. After the first day it's not so bad but eventually I think I can have one and it will be fine and then I go back to drinking it nonstop. I didn't realize how bad of an addict I am until I write it down lol.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    vespiquenn wrote: »
    Well seeing that diet is out, have you tried any of the carbonated waters? I know Walmart has their own brand along with many other chains.

    I find that my desire from soda stems from wanting the carbonation and nothing more. So whenever I quit soda, I'd go for those.

    IF she's getting headaches, that's caffeine withdrawal. Water(unless it's caffeinated...BTW that stuff is nasty) isn't going to help.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    jaymijones wrote: »
    Is it the fizz? The caffeine? The sugar? My husband loves the fizz, but wasn't as attached to rest of it, so he switched to drinking club soda. It took a few months to adjust, but he only occasionally drinks regular soda now.

    It's Mt Dew... It's the Caffeine... most of any regular soda on the market.
  • ataraxial
    ataraxial Posts: 185 Member
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    vespiquenn wrote: »
    Well seeing that diet is out, have you tried any of the carbonated waters? I know Walmart has their own brand along with many other chains.

    I find that my desire from soda stems from wanting the carbonation and nothing more. So whenever I quit soda, I'd go for those.

    The Clear American waters at WalMart are awesome. 50 cents for 32 ounces. I love the Mandarin Orange and the Key Lime. I drink 1-2 a day!

    I have tried several different waters.. I don't care for any flavored waters, but like I said, I don't mind unsweetened tea. I am just horrible with self-control.
  • ataraxial
    ataraxial Posts: 185 Member
    jaymijones wrote: »
    Is it the fizz? The caffeine? The sugar? My husband loves the fizz, but wasn't as attached to rest of it, so he switched to drinking club soda. It took a few months to adjust, but he only occasionally drinks regular soda now.

    I think it's the caffeine and the sugar. I legitimately feel completely different after I take a drink. It relaxes me and I use it to get away from stress.
  • Heather4448
    Heather4448 Posts: 908 Member
    GrumpyHeadmistress wrote: »
    Heather4448 wrote: »
    I drink diet. Gallons and gallons of the stuff.

    Me too. At least a 750ml bottle of Diet Coke a day.

    *Fistbump*
  • GrumpyHeadmistress
    GrumpyHeadmistress Posts: 666 Member
    Heather4448 wrote: »
    GrumpyHeadmistress wrote: »
    Heather4448 wrote: »
    I drink diet. Gallons and gallons of the stuff.

    Me too. At least a 750ml bottle of Diet Coke a day.

    *Fistbump*

    *Fistbump*
  • ToothlessJoe
    ToothlessJoe Posts: 28 Member
    I used to be just as addicted as you are. I tried to quit about a dozen times. The thing that finally broke the habit for me was switching to tea. Specifically, Lipton Diet Green Tea with cirtus. It has 0 calories, is very flavorful, and has none of the chemically nasty aftertaste you get in diet sodas. Plus it has 22mg of caffeine/500ml in it, which is quite a bit less than Mt. Dew, but can still help if you are experiencing caffeine withdrawl.

    Good luck!
  • JustRobby1
    JustRobby1 Posts: 674 Member
    Switch to diet. Zero calories. Problem solved.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    You could try Throwback as a gateway to diet.

    Unless you really want to cut out the carbonation.
  • Heather4448
    Heather4448 Posts: 908 Member
    ataraxial wrote: »
    I LOATHE diet soda. I think it tastes terrible!
    I used to hate it, too. You get used to it. I never tried this, but maybe some liquid stevia in a diet soda would work for you.
  • dfwesq
    dfwesq Posts: 592 Member
    In the short term, it might help to find a substitute, like tea. Decaf or herbal are fine if you need that. It doesn't have to be unsweetened - you can add the sweetener of your choice.

    In the long term, maybe look for ways to relax that don't involve food or drink. Some people do light exercise, listen to music, pray or meditate, or talk it out. If you need strategies, some kind of counseling might be a good idea. (I'm not saying you need to go to counseling, but counselors and therapists can often give good advice about how to deal with stress.)
  • vespiquenn
    vespiquenn Posts: 1,455 Member
    stanmann571 wrote: »
    vespiquenn wrote: »
    Well seeing that diet is out, have you tried any of the carbonated waters? I know Walmart has their own brand along with many other chains.

    I find that my desire from soda stems from wanting the carbonation and nothing more. So whenever I quit soda, I'd go for those.

    IF she's getting headaches, that's caffeine withdrawal. Water(unless it's caffeinated...BTW that stuff is nasty) isn't going to help.

    I missed the headache part, so it looks like tea is the only option for reducing the headache to keep the caffeine intake if diet soda is out.

    Or stop all together, suck up the headache for a few days, then start drinking noncaffeinated drinks. But that's a complete personal choice.
  • DanGarion
    DanGarion Posts: 1 Member
    Diet soda is a great start. I also highly suggest the now fad driven no calorie, no sweetener sparkling waters that are popular. There are a number of brands including generic store brands now. Find flavors you like and stick with those. It helps me because I love the carbonation.
  • ataraxial
    ataraxial Posts: 185 Member
    I do like unsweetened tea.. That's my drink of choice to replace it with... It's just really hard for me to kick the habit
This discussion has been closed.

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