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MyFitnessPal Community

cut out soda?

shandacain

ok so my main issue I believe is the fact that my whole household (including myself) is straight up addicted to soda. myself I love Diet mountain dew. I want to cut down and eventually eliminate soda from my diet. what are some hints or helpful ways to help me cut down this drink?

I don't want to go through the withdraws, I did a couple of years ago I just cold turkey cut soda from my diet, and was sick, had headaches for almost two weeks straight, and didn't function that well, at anything. I stated drinking soda again after I met my feiance, so I want to avoid that process again, and find a good way to stop the cravings, even though it is in our house.

Replies

earlnabby

There is only 5 calories in diet Mountain Dew. I wonder if they make caffeine free?

They do, but not every grocery carries it.

donnylou

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!

Sherbear1109

Start by cutting down and replace what you cut out with water. Drink as much water as you can. This was difficult for me, as I didn't drink water at all before. Best thing I've ever done for myself, though. I am healthier on so many levels now that I drink only water for the most part. Well, plus 1 coffee in the morning. Refuse to cut that out completely. :-)

SuthernKimby

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!

_Zardoz_

I always wonder what miracle effect people are expecting from replacing one zero or near zero soda drink with another zero calorie drink called something else?

stephe1987

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.

BornxVillain

There's nothing wrong with a diet soda here and there.
I have lost 60lbs drinking 2-4 cans a day of Diet Mtn Dew, it's definitely a staple and I do feel great.

If you're worried about your teeth, you should also be worried about citrus fruits damaging them- but as long as you maintain proper dental hygiene; pop nor citrus will hurt your teeth as bad as you'd think.

Bottoms up! Or.. cans up! :drinker:

RET68

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:

ddkphotos

I stopped diet coke cold turkey - expected the nasty withdrawal symptoms but had none - even though it was my only source of caffeine... What if you do a little research and see what kind of crap you are putting in your body?... I like to tell myself that it's making me sick - imagine yourself having a horrible disease thanks to that one thing... it's much easier to avoid if you tell yourself that and you may not be far off...
There is nothing beneficial to come from drinking it... other than wasting tons of money and making the companies richer!!! Why not decide to stash away the money you spend on soda and save up for something you really want! You'll be surprised at how quickly it adds up!
Water is your best friend - learn to love it - get yourself some pretty reusable bottles to drink it from - get a Brita filter on your tap - and keep the water in the fridge if you like it cold! Having it readily available really helps...
You can do this. It's totally mind over matter... if I can stop cold turkey anyone can!!! And again - if you're having such withdrawal symptoms - doesn't that make you wonder what exactly is in there????

Kalikel

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.

marinabreeze

Diet pop can be addictive due to the caffeine, which is a drug and can definitely cause dependency. Not sure if it will affect you long term, but I can see if losing dependency on any drug is a goal. Also, pop is filled with sodium. It's not a big deal for many, but is to some, especially those with high bp.

I do drink diet pop, so I am the last person to say quit drinking it. FWIW, in college, I had a 2-liter a day Pepsi habit (not diet so lots of sugar too). What worked for me was to stop drinking it if I got sick. Then I already felt bad anyway, so I could get both feelings over with.

Today I drink diet pop, but I also drink iced coffee, herbal tea (try Harney's flavored teas - they're great without sugar), and water. I'm now looking to cut back on pop more because of the sodium than anything - I see a lot of excess sodium on my daily food tracking, and the coffee and tea work well to substitute.

sarieth05

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!

unknown

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anawhatsme

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?

maidentl

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?

Despite the hysteria, no.

lemonsnowdrop

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.

threnjen

A lot of comments here deal with the calories of the soda etc. the Op is talking about diet soda which is calorie free. It's just flavored water, caffeine, and carbonation. If you opt to go with Crystal Light or Mio or whatever you're only cutting out the caffeine and the carbonation. You can cut out the caffeine bu going to caffeine free. There is really not a lot of difference amongst all these choices. I really only think you get to call yourself a free and pure drinker if you drink only water. That's just my opinion.

I drink tons of diet pop so I'm not on a high horse here. I just don't think it really MATTERS. You're drinking a zero calorie drink option and staying hydrated. Yay.

Kalikel

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.

marciaholland77

I have cut my intake of caffeine by switching to caffeine free sodas. I have also increased the amount of water I drink. Eventually I would love to say I cut the soda out altogether. Good luck!

happyfeetrebel1

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

RllyGudTweetr

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?

I've yet to see a peer-reviewed study that reached that conclusion, and I've seen several that concluded they weren't harmful in 'reasonable human' amounts of consumption, so I'm going to go with "no."

Liftng4Lis

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.

lemonsnowdrop

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.

OP says she loves Diet Mountain Dew, so there's obviously no issue with taste for her.

RET68

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"?

unknown

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lemonsnowdrop

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.

ncdougb

I haven't had soda in months. Once you get past the 'hump' and out of the habit, there's nothing to miss. It's great.

RET68

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:

s_pekz

traceywoody

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.