cut out soda?

Just stop drinking it or reduce it over time if you really want to eliminate it from your diet.

Stay hydrated with something else.

If you want to replace the caffeine there are many other drink that contain it.

THIS ^^^

I was a HUGE Diet Coke drinker....easily drink two 2 Liter bottles plus at least 2 20 oz bottles at work....did I mention the pot of extra strong dark coffee in the morning BEFORE the Diet Coke?
I just cut back a little at at time...I allowed myself to have it cause if I did it cold turkey (like I did before) I felt cheated out of it. I also drink a ton (and I mean a ton like 96 oz or more a day) or water. Crsystal light really since I don't care for just plain water....baby steps...I figure I'll get to the plain water soon enough.
I still have a cup or two of coffee a day and maybe one half of a 20 oz Diet Coke every so often. It's not that I can't have it, I just choose not too knowing it's not healthy.
What ever you choose to do, it's still better than what you were doing!

For me I just had to go cold turkey, I was so addicted. Loved sugared sodas and when I went diet they just seemed to make me hungrier. It came to the point I want to stay within my calorie range so bad that it just wasn't an option for me. I mainly drink water, lemonade with splenda or just homemade with no sweeteners, brags vinegar in my water, or limes in my water. I occasionally have 1% milk and creamer daily with my coffee. Again, I think it became less important naturally…maybe just a blessing from God because I would drink 2 liters daily easily. Oh yeah, I have occasional adult beverages too…LOL!

I didn't really have problems with headaches when I cut out soda cold turkey, at least not past the first few days. I did get terrible cravings but those diminished over time. I think you're probably addicted to caffeine and need to slowly cut back before you quit completely. Or take some headache medicine or switch to something else with caffeine that isn't soda. A lot of people are fine with diet soda but I do not think drinking all those chemicals and artificial sweeteners is a good idea.

Diet Mountain Dew has both caffeine and aspartame. For the caffeine a reduction method I used was to take an excedrin (containing aspirin and caffeine), and cut it in tiny little pieces. Half a piece smaller everyday. This forestalls the caffeine headache. Then eventually you forget to take it. There are many on this site, who are adamant that junk foods, or nonnutritive comfort food of their choice, is necessary to their sanity. Whatever works for you. But everyone is different and we all have distinct goals. Personally, I have liver disease, and I don't want any crap clogging up the works. There has been some evidence, unsubstantiated, that aspartame can become formaldehyde if exposed to UV. So don't drink it outside, LOL. Also, aspartame has been linked to depression. I used to stare at the "sugar" bowl at the restaurant and think, "fat, cancer, crazy" what's my poison today. Now I just order herbal tea. It's easier on my liver and on my spirit. Good luck. :flowerforyou:

Agree with saving money, too!

Use that pop money to buy yourself a Tervis glass and drink ice water all day without ever needing a coaster. Even if Florida summers, those things Do Not Sweat. They're awesome. (I don't work for them, lol, they're just so wonderful for ice water.)

I loved my diet pop and wrestled with it for years. I always worry I'll go back to it, but am so glad it's out of my life.

I had to quit cold turkey to get rid of my soda addiction. I used to drink SO much, and just decided one day that I didn't need it and starting drinking tons and tons of water instead. Definitely buy a glass you can carry around with water and have it with you at all times so you can take a sip if you feel thirsty. Maybe start off with the flavored water things if you like flavor, but I didn't even do that. I would always use the excuse that soda "helped me not be thirsty".

But everyone else has some great advice about slowly weening yourself off of it! Whatever works. Good luck!

There's nothing wrong with drinking diet sodas. I drink one a day sometimes, if I want it. There's nothing in them that will harm you.

aren't artificial sweeteners harmful?

There's nothing wrong with drinking diet sodas. I drink one a day sometimes, if I want it. There's nothing in them that will harm you.

aren't artificial sweeteners harmful?

Not unless you have gallons upon gallons shoved inside of you at once.

There's nothing wrong with drinking diet sodas. I drink one a day sometimes, if I want it. There's nothing in them that will harm you.

aren't artificial sweeteners harmful?

The jury is still out on that.

Diet Mountain Dew has both caffeine and aspartame. For the caffeine a reduction method I used was to take an excedrin (containing aspirin and caffeine), and cut it in tiny little pieces. Half a piece smaller everyday. This forestalls the caffeine headache. Then eventually you forget to take it. There are many on this site, who are adamant that junk foods, or nonnutritive comfort food of their choice, is necessary to their sanity. Whatever works for you. But everyone is different and we all have distinct goals. Personally, I have liver disease, and I don't want any crap clogging up the works. There has been some evidence, unsubstantiated, that aspartame can become formaldehyde if exposed to UV. So don't drink it outside, LOL. Also, aspartame has been linked to depression. I used to stare at the "sugar" bowl at the restaurant and think, "fat, cancer, crazy" what's my poison today. Now I just order herbal tea. It's easier on my liver and on my spirit. Good luck. :flowerforyou:

I was waiting for SOMEONE, so I had it ready!!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1308408-why-aspartame-isn-t-scary

I cut it out about 4 and a half months ago, but because I'd rather eat my calories (have never liked the taste of diet). Try seltzer water-same fizz, no calories, no nasty aftertaste you get with diet pop.

Diet Mountain Dew has both caffeine and aspartame. For the caffeine a reduction method I used was to take an excedrin (containing aspirin and caffeine), and cut it in tiny little pieces. Half a piece smaller everyday. This forestalls the caffeine headache. Then eventually you forget to take it. There are many on this site, who are adamant that junk foods, or nonnutritive comfort food of their choice, is necessary to their sanity. Whatever works for you. But everyone is different and we all have distinct goals. Personally, I have liver disease, and I don't want any crap clogging up the works. There has been some evidence, unsubstantiated, that aspartame can become formaldehyde if exposed to UV. So don't drink it outside, LOL. Also, aspartame has been linked to depression. I used to stare at the "sugar" bowl at the restaurant and think, "fat, cancer, crazy" what's my poison today. Now I just order herbal tea. It's easier on my liver and on my spirit. Good luck. :flowerforyou:

I was waiting for SOMEONE, so I had it ready!!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1308408-why-aspartame-isn-t-scary

There seems to be a basic disconnect between what people think about the definition of fitness on this site. To some it means health, mental, physical, and spiritual. To others it seems to be the easiest way to lose a minimum of pounds (always less than 50) while maintaining as much of their lifestyle choices as possible.
I am also a biologist, and while I didn't say that aspartame is related to cancer, even your author relates that it is made of phenylalanine which is problematic for some people.
We are not all the same. And, a great deal of research has been done since 2004 on the effects of chemicals which we were not evolved to digest, especially on certain groups: autistics, depressives, morbidly obese people etc.
The problem you seem to be having is that you need to convince people that you are right. I follow the maxim you can be right or you can be happy. I wish to be happy, so you can be right.
As I said if it works for you, great, I go out of my way to make life easy on my liver as I have limited function left and OP states that she wants to wean herself off diet sodas and asks for help. I gave her some.
Do you think there is anyway we could make MFP a safe place where people could discuss things without "the mean crew" piling on to prove their point?
Have you ever wondered how many people you have motivated to deactivate in your pursuit of "winning" a debate that nobody is having with you?
I am used to a twelve step environment or a seminar environment where people work towards consensus in safety. I thought this was a fitness site, am I wrong is this just "Facebook for the Vain"?

Diet Mountain Dew has both caffeine and aspartame. For the caffeine a reduction method I used was to take an excedrin (containing aspirin and caffeine), and cut it in tiny little pieces. Half a piece smaller everyday. This forestalls the caffeine headache. Then eventually you forget to take it. There are many on this site, who are adamant that junk foods, or nonnutritive comfort food of their choice, is necessary to their sanity. Whatever works for you. But everyone is different and we all have distinct goals. Personally, I have liver disease, and I don't want any crap clogging up the works. There has been some evidence, unsubstantiated, that aspartame can become formaldehyde if exposed to UV. So don't drink it outside, LOL. Also, aspartame has been linked to depression. I used to stare at the "sugar" bowl at the restaurant and think, "fat, cancer, crazy" what's my poison today. Now I just order herbal tea. It's easier on my liver and on my spirit. Good luck. :flowerforyou:

I was waiting for SOMEONE, so I had it ready!!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1308408-why-aspartame-isn-t-scary

There seems to be a basic disconnect between what people think about the definition of fitness on this site. To some it means health, mental, physical, and spiritual. To others it seems to be the easiest way to lose a minimum of pounds (always less than 50) while maintaining as much of their lifestyle choices as possible.
I am also a biologist, and while I didn't say that aspartame is related to cancer, even your author relates that it is made of phenylalanine which is problematic for some people.
We are not all the same. And, a great deal of research has been done since 2004 on the effects of chemicals which we were not evolved to digest, especially on certain groups: autistics, depressives, morbidly obese people etc.
The problem you seem to be having is that you need to convince people that you are right. I follow the maxim you can be right or you can be happy. I wish to be happy, so you can be right.
As I said if it works for you, great, I go out of my way to make life easy on my liver as I have limited function left and OP states that she wants to wean herself off diet sodas and asks for help. I gave her some.
Do you think there is anyway we could make MFP a safe place where people could discuss things without "the mean crew" piling on to prove their point?
Have you ever wondered how many people you have motivated to deactivate in your pursuit of "winning" a debate that nobody is having with you?
I am used to a twelve step environment or a seminar environment where people work towards consensus in safety. I thought this was a fitness site, am I wrong is this just "Facebook for the Vain"?

How is people disagreeing with you mean? I often give advice that goes against the opinion of others, but I've never done it in a mean way. Stating things in a blunt, honest way =/= mean.

In any case, Facebook for the Vain is catchy. Kinda had a ring to it.

mean-spir·it·ed
adjective
adjective: mean-spirited; adjective: meanspirited

inconsiderate and unsympathetic.
"he's an egotistical, mean-spirited, abusive man"
Well Op, there will be no more discussion so I leave you to it. Expect cat gifs in abundance.

I'm trying to decide if I should just continue to "ignore user" these people as others have done, or if it is really necessary to delete friends and lurk, or just deactivate and find a real support network for fitness. Again, good luck. :ohwell:

The issue with any carbonated beverage to me is the sodium. Too much sodium is not good for the arteries and can help you retain water. If you like fizz look for low sodium mineral waters. The naturally carbonated ones are the best. If you are not concerned about sodium, aspartame, caffeine or food acids - keep having your soda in moderation. Everything in moderation is my motto.