Giving up soda , for good

kskinnyperfect
kskinnyperfect Posts: 28 Member
edited November 18 in Health and Weight Loss
I've decided after a trip to the dentist that it is time I give up my diet -coke addiction for good. I've tried to stop before but get headaches after a day or two cold turkey . Has anyone given up sodas ? Do u replace them with another drink? Thanks
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Replies

  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    Headaches are probably from reduction in caffeine. You can taper down over time. If you want to keep caffeine even then replace with coffee or tea.
  • SuggaD
    SuggaD Posts: 1,369 Member
    I was never a big soda drinker. I only drink water, tea, coffee, almond/cashew/coconut milk now (oh and alcohol on occasion). Don't miss soda. I'd rather eat my calories.
  • kskinnyperfect
    kskinnyperfect Posts: 28 Member
    SuggaD wrote: »
    I was never a big soda drinker. I only drink water, tea, coffee, almond/cashew/coconut milk now (oh and alcohol on occasion). Don't miss soda. I'd rather eat my calories.
    Same I've always had diet soda , but even though it's 0 calories still know it's messing up my teeth . Ah the struggle
  • Azexas
    Azexas Posts: 4,334 Member
    If you want the "fizzy" feeling of soda you can always try seltzer water. Depending on your caffeine intake, going cold turkey may give you some headaches. Tapering down may lessen the headaches.
  • feisty_bucket
    feisty_bucket Posts: 1,047 Member
    kskinnyperfect wrote: »
    Do u replace them with another drink? Thanks

    Pretty much every beverage besides water has stuff in it that will do a number on your teeth if you let it sit there for too long. The solution is the brush them frequently and get it off. Even water + toothbrush will do the trick.
  • chelsmaee7
    chelsmaee7 Posts: 115 Member
    My fiancé was able to cut down on soda a lot by replacing it with the mio with caffeine. I cut it out easily but I found that I like lipton diet green tea with citrus when I want something other than water.
  • janjunie
    janjunie Posts: 1,200 Member
    I gave up diet coke when I was pregnant. Sometimes I just really want something carbonated to drink especially when I was eating something greasy. Trader joes has flavoured carbonated water, no aspartame, it's pretty good and worked for me. It's only recently that I've started drinking diet coke again...shame on me I never fully kicked the habit I guess.
  • carolinaem
    carolinaem Posts: 58 Member
    I am about a month out from quitting diet sodas. For the first week or two, I made my own "soda" with sparkling water and a splash of juice. It was nice to still have a fizzy drink. Now I just do water and coffee. I had a sip of Diet Dr Pepper the other day and I couldn't stand the taste, and it seemed so thick and made me feel thirstier. Funny now quickly our taste buds can change.
  • mizzlarabee
    mizzlarabee Posts: 134 Member
    Flavored sparkling or seltzer water helps! Try to increase your water intake to see of it helps with the headaches.
  • Tubbs216
    Tubbs216 Posts: 6,597 Member
    Have you been drinking a lot of Diet Coke? I cut right back but still have one can a day, which is enough to get the 'fix' but not enough to do too much damage. A can really isn't very much - when you pour it into a glass you go 'Oh'.
  • mpeters1965
    mpeters1965 Posts: 370 Member
    I tried several times and failed. Headaches etc. Couldn't do it. Then one day, the diet coke gave me up! It started tasting strange. That was about 5 years ago. Still not sure what happened. I still drink tea and coffee though, so my teeth get kind of stained between cleanings. I upped the frequency just to deal with it and the hygienist still complains! It's really my only vice though.

    Sorry that I don't have advice for you. I think there is some really good ideas in this thread.
  • Equus5374
    Equus5374 Posts: 462 Member
    SuggaD wrote: »
    I was never a big soda drinker. I only drink water, tea, coffee, almond/cashew/coconut milk now (oh and alcohol on occasion). Don't miss soda. I'd rather eat my calories.

    I love cashew milk; it's my new best friend! I gave up soda about 6-7 years ago and have not regretted a minute. I hated the bloaty gassy feeling I got after drinking one and I hate belching! Now, if I try to have even a little bit, I can hardly stand it. I drink mostly water, flavored with lemon. I also have a Vitamin Water here and there to satisfy a sweet craving.
  • forgtmenot
    forgtmenot Posts: 860 Member
    edited May 2015
    I've never drank a whole lot of soda, but I would occasionally drink a coke if I went out to eat somewhere. I've now replaced it with diet coke if I want soda but it is still only twice a month or so, I would just rather eat my calories instead of drink them.

    I will add that soda itself doesn't mess up your teeth, it is neglecting to brush the sugar off of them that messes them up. An occasional soda isn't going to cause significant damage to your teeth, especially if you brush it off thoroughly.
  • WeddedBliss1992
    WeddedBliss1992 Posts: 414 Member
    i love love love coke and dr pepper. i recently started a new medication that makes carbonated beverages taste horrible. i quit cold turkey and haven't looked back.
    i replaced with water and tea.
  • bwp180
    bwp180 Posts: 217 Member
    I used to drink a lot of diet coke - sometimes treat myself with plain coke. Yum. But seriously - it's so bad for you. Not just your teeth. I read that even though it is diet - it makes you crave more or something along those lines. Also read about the dangers of food coloring and yes...caramel coloring isn't caramel ...it's the color. And of course all the other reasons listed by others. So I cut down a lot over the past year and then this year - dropped it all together. No diet coke in 2015. Feel fine and don't miss it. I only drink water and black coffee now. Oh - and wine. I still drink that. Good luck!
  • andreamulhall
    andreamulhall Posts: 81 Member
    I was addicted to full fat coke a cola for years . When I joined this app In January I gave it up simply because it wasn't worth the calories , I just drink water instead . First week as hard but after that I stopped craving it . Good luck
  • jingerbird
    jingerbird Posts: 25 Member
    I blame full fat coke for me ending up with type II Diabetes. (Well obviously, I was the one who did the drinking lol) I used to drink 2-4 liters every single day, sometimes even more. I just didn't realise back then that it was so bad for me. I have had lots of problems with my teeth and swapping to diet coke only left me with constant upset stomach. I try not to drink it at all now, but when I go out to party, I have diet coke with vodka.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I drink a diet coke or two everyday...my dentist has never suggested I give it up.
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    andreamulhall wrote: »
    I was addicted to full fat coke a cola for years . When I joined this app In January I gave it up simply because it wasn't worth the calories , I just drink water instead . First week as hard but after that I stopped craving it . Good luck
    jingerbird wrote: »
    I blame full fat coke for me ending up with type II Diabetes. (Well obviously, I was the one who did the drinking lol) I used to drink 2-4 liters every single day, sometimes even more. I just didn't realise back then that it was so bad for me. I have had lots of problems with my teeth and swapping to diet coke only left me with constant upset stomach. I try not to drink it at all now, but when I go out to party, I have diet coke with vodka.

    Coke has fat?
  • isulo_kura
    isulo_kura Posts: 818 Member
    kskinnyperfect wrote: »
    I've decided after a trip to the dentist that it is time I give up my diet -coke addiction for good. I've tried to stop before but get headaches after a day or two cold turkey . Has anyone given up sodas ? Do u replace them with another drink? Thanks
    Why would diet soda have any effect on your teeth?
  • Hollywood_Porky
    Hollywood_Porky Posts: 491 Member
    Actually in foreign countries like Brazil, it's referred to as "Fat Coke". Why? Because people who drink it there are fat. I have a friend who lives there and she told me that's exactly how it is perceived.
  • KrysGettinFit
    KrysGettinFit Posts: 131 Member
    I was a self proclaimed "soda addict" for many years. I did not drink water at all, had so many cavities and a lot of stomach problems from it. Back in November I finally just stopped drinking it all together. I had headaches for a few days, but would have one cup of coffee every now and then (I've since switched to tea). When I have a craving for soda I will drink seltzer water, it helps satisfy the "bubbles" craving. Good luck!
  • S_Evanson613
    S_Evanson613 Posts: 62 Member
    I was addicted to Mt. Dew (drank way more than I am comfortable sharing LOL) I gave it up cold turkey. The headaches got pretty bad for about 3 days but with some excedrin and lots of water/green tea they went away!
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    isulo_kura wrote: »
    kskinnyperfect wrote: »
    I've decided after a trip to the dentist that it is time I give up my diet -coke addiction for good. I've tried to stop before but get headaches after a day or two cold turkey . Has anyone given up sodas ? Do u replace them with another drink? Thanks
    Why would diet soda have any effect on your teeth?

    The acid tends to eat up the enamel.

    http://www.cbsnews.com/news/diet-soda-erodes-teeth-as-much-as-meth-crack-case-study/

    Teeth are eroded when acid wears away tooth enamel, the glossy, protective layer of the tooth. Without this shield, teeth are more likely to develop cavities, become sensitive, develop cracks or become discolored.

    The case study looked at the damage in three people's mouths. One subject was a 29-year-old admitted meth user, and the other person was a 51-year-old who abused cocaine for 18 years. The third patient drank an excessive amount of diet soda, about two liters a day for three to five years. All three had poor oral hygiene and did not visit the dentist on a regular basis.

    Despite three different substance habits, the subjects appeared to have the same types and severity of damage from tooth erosion.

    Now the article did say the individuals didn't visit the dentist on a regular basis, but soda still not good for dental health.
  • thankyou4thevenom
    thankyou4thevenom Posts: 1,581 Member
    If you're really struggling with the headaches you can get caffeine pills. You could use them to wean yourself off of it like people use nicotine patches.
  • SusanKing1981
    SusanKing1981 Posts: 257 Member
    tedboosalis7 wrote: »
    Actually in foreign countries like Brazil, it's referred to as "Fat Coke". Why? Because people who drink it there are fat. I have a friend who lives there and she told me that's exactly how it is perceived.
    Ha yes, we call it "full fat coke" in the UK, I never stopped to think that it was weird! Nasty stuff that makes my teeth feel like a carpet.

  • mojojojo222
    mojojojo222 Posts: 7 Member
    edited May 2015
    Diet Coke is worse for you than regular Coke. I have always been a heavy soda drinker (Coke), when Diet Coke came out I started drinking it. Then I was at a picnic where there was an endless supply of sodas. I had about 6 Diet Cokes that afternoon, enough to literally make me sick, not from the sugar or caffeine, but from the vulgar taste of toxic aspartame. For some reason you can't taste it in small quantities. But when you have a lot of it, you get that taste and it never leaves you. It really is gross! That was 30 years ago. I can still taste that nasty ASPARTAME taste. It is the aspartame that is toxic. Sugar may not be the best thing for you, but it is not toxic like aspartame is.

    To continue answering your question, I have gotten off of Coke... or more realistically, drastically cut down how much I drink. 2-3 Cokes was the norm for me. Sometimes 4 or 5 on any given day. I have cut down to 1 every week or two and I feel that is good enough. I really like the taste of Coke and feel an occasional one isn't going to hurt.

    Your headaches are probably mostly due to the drop in caffeine, it can also be from the aspartame. Whether you drop the diet or not.... get some caffeine free (caffein free diet or regular caffeine free). Start drinking the caffeine free 2/3rds of the time. Then 3-4 weeks, start replacing the caffeine free with other, non sugary carbonated drinks. By non-sugary, I mean no added sugars and no sugar substitutes (sugar is always a better choice than artificial substitutes)... one of my favorites are Switch drinks. They contain no added dyes, sugar, or artificial ingredients. The closest thing to coke is the Black Berry, but the Grape and Orange are really good as well.

    Some people may disagree with me about sugar. If you are diabetic, ok. But I am more about nutrition and health (toxic free diet) than I am about "losing weight" or having a sugar free diet.

    Good luck.
  • soldiergrl_101
    soldiergrl_101 Posts: 2,205 Member
    kskinnyperfect wrote: »
    I've decided after a trip to the dentist that it is time I give up my diet -coke addiction for good. I've tried to stop before but get headaches after a day or two cold turkey . Has anyone given up sodas ? Do u replace them with another drink? Thanks

    Its funny I went to the dentist yesterday and the trip ultimately led to me giving up soda as well. 19 Cavities later at 27 its not worth it, id rather have my teeth than the carbonation. Ill just have to have a bottle of aspirin around to get me through the headaches

  • ExRelaySprinter
    ExRelaySprinter Posts: 874 Member
    edited May 2015
    I'm in the process of giving them up....it's been about a week now.
    I too am concerned about the effects of fizzy drinks on the teeth.
    I'm now drinking fresh Ginger & Lime Juice with hot water in the mornings or Orange juice with half water.
    I also make a watered down fruit puree drink with Mint leaves....really nice and refreshing (using various fruit purees).
    You could also try fruit tea (bags) as well, which can be drunk hot or cold.
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    ExRelaySprinter wrote: »
    I'm in the process of giving them up....it's been about a week now.
    I too am concerned about the effects of fizzy drinks on the teeth.
    I'm now drinking fresh Ginger & Lime Juice with hot water in the mornings or Orange juice with half water.
    I also make a watered down fruit puree drink with Mint leaves....really nice and refreshing (using various fruit purees).
    You could also try fruit tea (bags) as well, which can be drunk hot or cold.

    Lime and Orange juice are also acidic and have sugar, therefore can also cause tooth enamel damage...
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