Cutting out pop??

First of all, I just wanted to say good job for being open minded about it instead of just sticking to saying that you are going to drink soda no matter what like so many people do. I totally understand there are certain things that many people refuse to cut completely out of their lives and I can respect that but the only thing I ask is that they are informed about it before they make a decision.

This article is a great place to start.
Good luck to you!
http://waterforlifeusa.com/blog/uncategorized/8-ways-soda-fizzles-your-health

Have you tried carbonated water? Safeway has all kinds of flavors and its cheaper than soda, much healthier as well :drinker:

I say you don't have to completely let it go - just try to bring yourself down to one or two a day. Pop contains salt, which is kind of that extra something you don't need; it also causes bloat, which really works against you when you're supposed to be eating real calories, but you're full from carbonation.

I used to drink an awful lot of pop too - for the record, it took several years for me to break it's hold. Nowadays, I might have two or three a week.

There was just a story on the news about the health risks of diet sodas. They aren't good for you at all, so you'd be much better off without them. Not only do they have artificial sweeteners which are made from extremely toxic chemicals (according to the EPA's list of most toxic chemicals) but the cans leach BPA into the soda. BPA is known to be harmful, which is why it's been taken out of baby products (including bottles and pacifiers) and most hard plastic water bottles. It causes, among other things, reproductive problems. BPA lines almost all cans, so all canned food has some amount of it.

When I gave up soda I would have an Izze sparkling juice when I felt I absolutely needed a soda. I'd try to limit myself to one a day, then one every other day, etc. Now I only drink water.

I only allow myself to drink it with dinner now, which has cut my consumption down a lot. 1-2 cans a day, otherwise I drink water.

I sort of view it as an end of day treat. I'll probably never let it go (Diet Mountain Dew is my weakness!) but cutting down can't hurt.

At Dr.Oz.com, he has a 28 day pop elimination program. It helps break the addiction. If you are looking for help.

I have the same question. Does cutting out Diet sodas really make a difference? I've been without my Diet Dr. Pepper for 3 days so far but I'm wondering, is it worth it? I've read about the dangers of aspartame and such but not convinced. My real question is, does stopping pop make a difference in our weight loss?

Good for you! I was a Dr. Pepper Addict too! I quit about 2 mos ago as well. I've been surprised that I don't really miss it.

This is also a struggle of mine and I started another similar thread earlier today.

I have also recently studied a bit on the physiological effects that could be harmful, although not harmful enough for me yet to have quit.

When your taste buds sense the sweet taste of diet soda, the body readies itself by releasing insulin to combat the sugar it perceives is entering the body. But since what you're (we're) drinking is not actually sweetener but fake sweetener, the extra insulin in your body causes your blood sugar to drop (instead of balance), triggering your body to consume more sugar in response to maintain the blood-sugar balance in your body.

It is also important to note that the release of insulin modifies your body's ability to release fat as an energy source. So on a simple level, consuming diet soda can keep the body from burning fat. Or at least working a bit harder to get there.

As an RN, I've certainly come across my share of docs that are completely EXCELLENT in their chosen specialty, and they stay that way with tons of education on the ever-changing developments in their specific area of specialty.

It would be impossible to expect any medical professional to maintain expertise in ALL areas of medicine.

And I completely agree that a visit to a registered dietition is invaluable if you are trying to fix what's wrong with your nutritional status, which is what we all wanna do here!

That being said - Dr. Oz is NOT a private practice ONLY physician. In the process of developing his television show, he has had to surround himself with TOP specialists in a variety of fields.

Although I don't watch his program daily, I have watched it on occasion, and have found his nutrtional information to be completely SOLID. Since he is an expert PHYSICIAN, he IS able to TEACH about nutrition - based on the research done by his team of EXPERTS. Although his specialty is not nutrition, I believe his nutritional information is sound.

I've not seen the program he has for breaking a soda habit - I'm sure it's just like everything we are looking for here on MFP - something to consider or even to try if it looks like it'll help us meet our needs! I just love seeing all the different ideas from different people, so we can all find what's gonna work for US!

I'm so glad to see so many people giving up their sodas, but I'm also glad to see others who are making THEIR choices work for THEM! No one is going to make perfect choices every single minute of every single day, but if we all strive to make our BEST choices in MOST situations, I think we'll reach our health and fitness goals!

Ice

I gave it up years ago just because I got tired of watching people in business meeting belch their way through them after cans of pop. That was enough for me, as I didn't want to be making similar noises in front of clients! I really haven't missed it.

I think that giving it up gave me an unexpected benefit though. It helped me to cut my sweet tooth.

Yes, I said "pop." You can call it soda, cola, sodypop, or whatever else you want. We midwesterners know what's up.

I see a lot of posts about "quitting" pop. I can't do it. I'm a diet-pop only guy, so my 6 cans/day that I used to drink isn't as bad as it could be (yes, I know there are other health factors that hte sugar substitute causes). I've cut down to one or two a day. I just NEED the carbonation and caffeine.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? would there REALLY be any benefit to me completely eliminating diet pop?

Thanks!

I am a fellow native Midwestern guy, now live in TX, but "pop" was my biggest hurdle. I can't stand diet pop, and use to drink a ton of Mt. Dew and Dr. Pepper. Somedays I would consume 156 to 180 oz. About 5 weeks ago, I just quit, cold turkey if you will, consuming any pop what so ever, and drink nothing but ice water, and to tell you the truth, I have more energy now, then ever had consuming all that sugar and caffine, and I work 16-20 hour days sometimes. So it can be done, I use to think the same way, I NEEDED that carbination and caffine, but after 29 lbs lost, in just over a month, I can see now that I don't need it, I had my last pop on Jan. 27th, and haven't looked back.

to wriglucy:

I was under the impression that Dr. Oz does in fact consult nutritionists...is that incorrect?

I feel your pain man. I gave up the sauce (Pop) about 4 years ago and it wasn't easy. I was mentaly and physicaly addicted. What helped me the most was the flavored soda water, available at all major grocery stores. Some are better than others but they all gave me the carbonation that I craved. As far as the caffine headaces I took a couple of alieve if it was bad enough or a coffee to help. At this piont my wife still has it in the house but my cravings are gone. You may want to ween yourself off of it over a month or so. Good Luck