Has anyone recently completely cut out soda?

JenS_1678
JenS_1678 Posts: 27
edited November 11 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm new to the site, and new to the concept of trying to lose weight the right way. As a start I decided to cut out soda- I live on a college campus and even before that I was a huge soda drinker. I drank it with every meal, and had anywhere from 2-5 cans a day. I stopped drinking it on Wednesday and really upped the amount of water I drink, but I've been getting these headache's all of the time. Could it be from the soda, has anyone else had this issue? I've been eating better too, but I really don't think that's causing it.
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Replies

  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    Yes, everyone gets headaches when they stop drinking soda/caffeine.
  • BIGJIMMYU
    BIGJIMMYU Posts: 1,221 Member
    I only drink caffeine free/calorie free pepsi when I do at all. I dropped 7 pounds in two weeks just from that before I started on this site.
  • Miss♥Ivi
    Miss♥Ivi Posts: 461
    I haven't had a soda since probably last year. And I definitely do not miss it! I got headaches from the beginning but it was from lack of caffeine. I had cut down on coffee as well. My body adjusted and now, I don't even like the taste of it! Good luck!!
  • lilfurson
    lilfurson Posts: 190
    I used to drink 1-2 2-Liters of Diet Mt Dew a day. Completely gave it up for this year. Had to take excedrin during the day for a week and at night for almost 2 weeks. Then I was clean. :)

    I haven't looked back since.
  • ccadroz93
    ccadroz93 Posts: 136 Member
    Been there, done that!! I am happily off all caffiene for 3 months!! I was a tad cranky at first, but exercise helped alot and now I feel great!!
  • slim422
    slim422 Posts: 104 Member
    Yep completely gone for months now, only exception is Krisda cola for mix in liquor drinks as it's sweetened with stevia but no sugar and particularly no artificial sweeteners
  • auddiejo
    auddiejo Posts: 40
    I haven't had a soda since Christmas!! It's possible!
  • Llorraine11
    Llorraine11 Posts: 350 Member
    i never drink soda... not even diet..
  • maybethistime70
    maybethistime70 Posts: 65
    2 weeks in with no soda....at least 32 oz (if not more) a day...you are having caffeine withdrawls. (and sugar). push through it...i had a cup or two of hot tea with caffeine to help, but it's up to . it will go away eventually.
  • Firefighter_Jay
    Firefighter_Jay Posts: 426 Member
    I manage to go days without one, then I break down and have a couple. I always hate myself when I do tho.
  • rubygarcia86
    rubygarcia86 Posts: 73 Member
    its going to take some time for your body to get used to not having soda, and if you do ever drink it again it wont taste as good as you thought it did before you cut it out...keep at it and you will feel the difference.
  • becauseofholly
    becauseofholly Posts: 28 Member
    The headaches are from caffeine withdrawal. Eventually you can ween yourself off caffeine, but you will have headaches until you're over it. Try drinking tea instead. Not only does it have a smaller amount of caffeine and no calories, it also has antioxidants.
  • shaybethxo
    shaybethxo Posts: 153 Member
    i have, but then again i didn't really drink it before - maybe twice a week. i don't have much caffeine either, one or two cups of tea or coffee a week.
  • MandyMarie01
    MandyMarie01 Posts: 448 Member
    I'm new to the site, and new to the concept of trying to lose weight the right way. As a start I decided to cut out soda- I live on a college campus and even before that I was a huge soda drinker. I drank it with every meal, and had anywhere from 2-5 cans a day. I stopped drinking it on Wednesday and really upped the amount of water I drink, but I've been getting these headache's all of the time. Could it be from the soda, has anyone else had this issue? I've been eating better too, but I really don't think that's causing it.

    Caffeine withdraw cause the headache. I quit drinking soda in October 2011. If you start back up after awhile it burns your throat too. I don't plan on drinking soda anymore because well I get addicted to it. one soda leads to 3 a day or more and I just can't do that, 1. it's too expensive and 2. it's not healthy.
  • brittanidigby
    brittanidigby Posts: 247 Member
    I quit drinking pop in 2009. :) I just have a tea in the morning for my caffeine. lol
  • Mariana_87
    Mariana_87 Posts: 42
    Yes, I stopped drinking Mountain Dew cold turkey... Lets just say it lasts about a week or two. Sorry your going through with it.!!!
  • beckym71
    beckym71 Posts: 3,511
    I'm new to the site, and new to the concept of trying to lose weight the right way. As a start I decided to cut out soda- I live on a college campus and even before that I was a huge soda drinker. I drank it with every meal, and had anywhere from 2-5 cans a day. I stopped drinking it on Wednesday and really upped the amount of water I drink, but I've been getting these headache's all of the time. Could it be from the soda, has anyone else had this issue? I've been eating better too, but I really don't think that's causing it.

    yep, definitely caffeine withdrawal....give it about 10 days- 2 weeks and they should stop
  • wellthis
    wellthis Posts: 7
    I think its definietely the soda (or lack of it) that's causing the headaches. Both my husband and I drink soda regualrly and then have gotten "off" it and say to each other, "I have a soda headache." If you still get them, have 1 if you want and cut them out a little more slowly. If you can hang with the headaches and just want to get it over with cold turkey, go for it!
  • RachelsReboot
    RachelsReboot Posts: 569 Member
    I spent a month cutting myself down slowly because the last time I tried to go off I caved because of the headaches. This time I got down to the 8oz mini cans and then I went as long as I could each day without getting a headache. When I got to where I had a headache a night I took tylenol and went to bed and didn't have any again after that. Its been less than two weeks ago but I know getting past that hump was all I needed. I won't go back!
  • WickedGarden
    WickedGarden Posts: 944 Member
    i switched to drinking soda water. NOT 'Tonic Water' or 'Club Soda' (those have sodium bicarbonate and salt or other things in them) but 'seltzer water'. In the PNW we have Talking Rain, and when I have that soda craving, I buy a 2 liter bottle of that. Just carbonated water and lemon/lime essence. There is berry and orange flavors. Zero calories, no sweeteners, all natural.

    At restaurants I order it with lemon and lime (or bring my lemon powder to add to it). I get the carbonation I crave, but it's water.

    Maybe once a month I will drink regular soda...but it is usually one made with cane sugar.
  • 2kidsandadonut
    2kidsandadonut Posts: 137 Member
    I quit drinking soda but already being prone to migraines it was a killer. So I switched to a diet supplement that included caffeine in it and it has been a life saver! It makes my multivitamin a little more expensive but it is soooo worth it!
  • nel0311
    nel0311 Posts: 248
    I cut it out and only rarely really want any. the only time i have it is if i go out and its in my mixed drinks. other than that i dont need. The first week or so was bad with headaches but then i tried teas and coffees to replace my caffeine in take.

    good luck on your journey !
  • nightscare0
    nightscare0 Posts: 33
    I quit Pepsi cold turkey a little over 3 weeks ago, and I was a hardcore fan too. Over a 2 liter a day! It WAS my coffee lol The headaches will pass (mine were bad) in about 7-10 days then your body will have adjusted. I'm so sorry, cuz I know how much they hurt. :frown:
  • alyson820
    alyson820 Posts: 448 Member
    the headaches are totally normal!

    I had a glass since new years. I haven't completely cut it out, but I'm only going to drink soda if I'm really craving one.
  • Pfauxmeh
    Pfauxmeh Posts: 259
    Yep! I'm actually still getting it out of my system. The headaches are getting lighter and lighter and I'm starting to notice them less. It's hard, but I know it's better for me in the end not to drink it.
  • MisterDubs303
    MisterDubs303 Posts: 1,216 Member
    I completely gave up soda for a year a few years ago. I expected my weight to go down just from that (simple math), but I guess I must have compensated in other ways, because I didn't lose a pound. I probably didn't drink a dozen sodas in 2011, but I've had a few diet Dr. Peppers already this year (just needed a caffeine fix). I haven't missed it one bit. It's tasty, but useless.
  • farmboyphotography
    farmboyphotography Posts: 181 Member
    I drank Diet Dew for ages but read that the artificial sweeteners can trick your body into wanting to eat more sweets. So the theory goes, the flavor of Diet Dew is not enough to satiate your cravings for sweets. Supposedly, aspartame even increases your sugar cravings. Here comes the disclaimer: Now whether that is true or not, I honeestly do not know. But I can assure you that I had headaches for a couple days, but then it went away. Without the artificial sweeteners (or maybe it is coincidence), in any case, I feel so much better. Water is so much better!
  • ramahgirl97
    ramahgirl97 Posts: 6
    I'm new to this site too! I admit, only five days without soda (not very long!) But so far, so good! No headaches or cravings... I don't really think about it anymore. Keep trying! It'll all be worth it!

    I was also totally addicted to it, and had like three cans a day at times, but once you don't have it for a few days, it really doesn't seem that "essential" anymore! When I think about drinking soda now, I'm like "Why did I ever like that nasty chemical drink anyways?!"

    I am now proudly ONLY drinking water... I might start an occasional tea if I feel I need a caffeine hype.... we'll see!

    Best of luck to you!

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  • spragukr
    spragukr Posts: 81 Member
    I was exactly the same as you - college student, always drank lots of soda, probably 3-5 cans per day. I haven't completely cut out soda yet, because I know it will give me bad headaches if I do. I plan on getting off of it for the most part, but I am trying to change my lifestyle one bad habit at a time.

    I decided to meet with a nutritionist because I didn't understand why I was still getting headaches since I was still having 1 per day to satisfy the caffeine need. Here are a couple tips she gave me;

    If you are planning on completely eliminating it, I would try getting some natural sugars into your body a little before the headaches start, or try ingesting some other form of caffeine like coffee or tea. You can wean yourself off of those as well, but it would probably be an easier process!
  • manasunshine
    manasunshine Posts: 130
    i haven't had soda in almost 2 years now. i don't even feel like it anymore. infact i dont even like the taste of it anymore :smile:
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