Does anyone have tips for ditching the sugary drinks?

I had to just stop drinking it. I found other drinks I could enjoy, and after a while I stopped wanting it. I know, that sounds so much easier than it really was. It's been six months since I had my last soda. On July 4th, I decided I'd take a sip of a friends and almost gagged. It was the worst tasting concoction, ever. The best advice I can offer is to just do it. If doing the cold-turkey thing isn't going to work for you, you can always try to phase it out. Replace one glass a day with some water or iced tea (my new drink of choice). The next week replace two glasses a day. And so on, until you've completely eliminated soda.

You can do it

I travel quite a bit for work and one week I was having several sodas a day (more than I was normally having at the time) to the point where I basically overdid it. I got one at the end of the week, realized how bad it really was (and I was a HUGE dr. pepper drinker) and quit basically cold turkey. I've only had 2 since then: once when I was in the airport and needed a pick me up (actually didn't even help!) and once when I had sprite and rum together. I know not everyone can do it cold turkey but doing that one big binge basically convinced me to quit.
And I have to say, I feel SOO much better now and drink a ton of water. Best decision I've made (besides joining MFP!)

Same here! I was drinking a coke a day, sometimes more than one can a day. It's addicting and I agree, it's really hard to substitute water for sweet drinks.

Try replacing your cravings with natural sodas. I try to allow myself a day of the week where I can drink a soda without guilt, like a "cheat day" in your diet. For the other days of the week, try drinking water between meals until you get used to it. Try juices with meals. Make your own juices. Find a mixture of fruits that you like... homemade juices are delicious!

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!



^^^^^^^^^
This is so true! I first stopped eating sweets, did that for a while, then decided to stop the artificial sweeteners next (yes even Stevia & Truvia, etc). And what a difference it has made; I stopped craving sweet things and other types of foods as well. It totally made eating healthy and making better food choices so much easier. I have learned to drink ice tea without sugar and to like it that way. I drink lots of water, (ice cold) my 1 cup of coffee coffee (yes coffee isn't good either, but I haven't yet been able to give up that 1 cup in the morning) without any kind of sweetener--just a drop of milk, and occasionally I drink a can of La Croix, which is like club soda only no sodium, no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, just a little bit of flavoring.

Just think of it like this:
Excessive soda intake can lead to....

1. Diabetes
2. Instant aging
3. Causes cancer
4. Majority of its ingredients are made of harsh chemicals and GMO products that causes sicknesses and early deaths.
5. Coke can loosen rusty nuts and bolts and the acid in it is strong enough to clean the mold off of your car battery terminals (if it's strong enough to do that, just think of all the damage it can do to your body).
6. It's bad for you considering the amount of sugar in just one can of soda.

These are all proven from studies that have been done worldwide. Also, #5, my dad always uses coke to clean out rusty things and that crazy mold that occurred one time on my battery. So, just think of these things.

If it doesn't work for you. Do this:
1. Drink less soda each day.
2. Instead of drinking soda, try healthier alternatives.
3. Drink tea instead or flavored water or even fruit juice.
4. Buy those soda makers and make your own soda at home with water and fruit juice--it'll carbonate it so it's just like drinking soda.
5. Drink more water each day to clean out the toxins in your body.

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

I stopped buying pop and now keep 1 lite (1 quart) pickling jars in my fridge full of unsweetened iced tea. They're delicious and easy so I'm less tempted to turn to pop. I also find drinking perrier helps fight pop cravings if you're missing the feel of something carbonated.

It's not Coke that you're addicted to it's Caffeine. Coffee or Tea is much better for you, especially Tea. They find new things in coffee that benefit health all the time now also. Diet Coke is just as bad as Coke.

Cold turkey my friend...brutal, but it works!

I'm a recovering "Coca-Cola" addict so I relate (actually, it's the sugar and caffeine I'm addicted to like so many others), but when I got serious about losing weight and making healthy changes I knew I had to find a substitute. Sounds like you're there! It's been 18 days (counting days is a sure sign of an addict, huh?), and I'm actually finding that 4-5 glasses of plain ice water starts the day off right and then I "treat" myself to Crystal Lite Pink Lemonade or Decaf Iced Tea with Splenda for the remainder of my fluid requirements. I also avoid the foods that go so well with Coke (pretty easy to do given I'm also on a healthy eating plan). You can do this - just see the soda for what it is - sugar, sugar, and more sugar!

Club soda with a lime wedge on ice makes a great pick-me-up!

herbal tea with lemon SOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!

I can pretty much guarantee anyone a surefire way of giving up coke, and it only costs £6 (~US$9)

Just read this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belching-Out-Devil-Adventures-Coca-Cola/dp/0091927048