Trying to Quit Soda (1 Viewer)

[ChiefD]

My routine for years has been to stop at the local Quik Trip for my one morning Coke. Love that pop of the carbonation and caffeine and sugar to get me going.

Trying to quit this now just to try and reduce sugar intake. I have an enourmous sweet tooth but it's time to scale back. I'm in pretty good shape but as I age this is not sustainable if I want to stay healthy.

I started this yesterday. Brought a can of coke so I can grab a sip once the caffeine headaches kick in. Sitting here now at 10:13am and trying to hold off as much as possible.

Any tips or shtick would be great as my body revolts. Thanks in advance. 

 

[Da Guru]

My routine for years has been to stop at the local Quik Trip for my one morning Coke. Love that pop of the carbonation and caffeine and sugar to get me going.

Trying to quit this now just to try and reduce sugar intake. I have an enourmous sweet tooth but it's time to scale back. I'm in pretty good shape but as I age this is not sustainable if I want to stay healthy.

I started this yesterday. Brought a can of coke so I can grab a sip once the caffeine headaches kick in. Sitting here now at 10:13am and trying to hold off as much as possible.

Any tips or shtick would be great as my body revolts. Thanks in advance. 

From what I have read it takes 21-30 days to break the sugar cravings.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

One a day doesn't really seem to be that bad. It's not like you're chugging a 6 pack every day.

 

[Gally]

Give yourself the ability to have one or two throughout the week.  Taper off instead of just going cold turkey.  Figure out about how long it takes for the headache to kick in and make sure you take an excedrin about 20 minutes before that.  It will help prevent the headache and not make you think about wanting a coke.  

 

[ChiefD]

Give yourself the ability to have one or two throughout the week.  Taper off instead of just going cold turkey.  Figure out about how long it takes for the headache to kick in and make sure you take an excedrin about 20 minutes before that.  It will help prevent the headache and not make you think about wanting a coke.  

Good idea about the excedrin. I caved at about 9:30 yesterday so I'm past that so far. Gonna try and make it til lunch in an hour or so.

That sweet, sweet Coke is just beckoning me from the fridge in the room next to me.  

 

[Drunken knight]

can you go to the zero sugar varieties, or do you want to rid yourself of all soda?

 

[beer 30]

Start drinking pop...heathen

 

[Juxtatarot]

Black coffee maybe?

 

[ChiefD]

can you go to the zero sugar varieties, or do you want to rid yourself of all soda?

Yeah, all soda.

I assume even the no sugar kinds have some kind of artificial sweetener in them so want to get away from that as well. Just an overall reset for healthy living. We already eat farmers market fruits and veggies. Mostly buy organic beef and chicken when we can.

 

[ChiefD]

Black coffee maybe?

Never got into coffee. Love the smell - hate the flavor kind of guy.

Eliminating caffeine would be good too - my stomach issues are better when I don't consume as much caffeine and alcohol.  Beer is my next victim unfortunately.  Need to get back to more running and healthy overall. Been a rough two years for me. 

 

[Don Quixote]

Black coffee maybe?

Black coffee is what I was going to suggest. 

 

[Jaysus]

This is a good trade, I actually started drinking soda recently.  I really had only used it as a mixer in the past, but now I crave it with lunch every day.  Diet Coke is my go to though, so I am not worried about the sugar or carbs. Maybe give that a try?

 

[Gally]

Yeah, all soda.

I assume even the no sugar kinds have some kind of artificial sweetener in them so want to get away from that as well. Just an overall reset for healthy living. We already eat farmers market fruits and veggies. Mostly buy organic beef and chicken when we can.

If you do all that one vice of soda is fine...hahahahaha   I mean you are already ahead of 95% of the rest of us....haha

 

[ChiefD]

This is a good trade, I actually started drinking soda recently.  I really had only used it as a mixer in the past, but now I crave it with lunch every day.  Diet Coke is my go to though, so I am not worried about the sugar or carbs. Maybe give that a try?

I've tried Diet Coke, but after being a straight Coke drinker for 35 years the flavor just doesn't do it for me. 

 

[Gally]

This is a good trade, I actually started drinking soda recently.  I really had only used it as a mixer in the past, but now I crave it with lunch every day.  Diet Coke is my go to though, so I am not worried about the sugar or carbs. Maybe give that a try?

Diet Coke has a weird after taste to me.  Coke Zero is where it's at for sugar free.....

 

[Mister CIA]

Cold brew coffee sweetened with heavy cream. I roll my own, which is about 30-60 minutes of work for a month or two of drinks, and it requires an investment in Mason jars.  Also takes up a good chunk of real estate in a fridge.

Steep 12 oz of ground coffee in 2 gallons of water. Filter through cheese cloth or linen and squeeze every last drop possible. Shake/stir and distribute filter brew across 9-12 32-oz Mason jars (each about half full). Top off with water, seal, and refrigerate. Scale up as desired, and its probably okay to concentrate brew in a one gallon jar, but I have 2-gallon containers which works for me.

To serve, pour 2 oz heavy cream into 16 oz Mason jar, add 10 oz cold brew, and six ice cubes. For me this fills the jar nearly to the brim. Put lid on and shake well. Enjoy.

I may have forgotten a finer point, but this should result in a beverage that provides a serious jolt.

 

[Gally]

I've tried Die Coke, but after being a straight Coke drinker for 35 years the flavor just doesn't do it for me. 

Try Coke Zero.  I am like you as a staunch Coke drinker and couldn't stand Diet Coke.  However, Coke Zero is almost as good as the real thing.  In fact I like it better for rum and coke because it is a little less sweet than Coke.  

 

[wikkidpissah]

i know junkies use sweets to detox from smack, so.........

seriously, though, i wish you the best and reinforce the effort. i dont know enough to say, but maybe there are sodas that use sugars with lower glycemic loads like agave or sumn that you could ease off with. they say switching to artificial sweeteners is a whole nuther kettle o fish nutritionally, so i dunno. GL, GB

 

[Mister CIA]

Never got into coffee. Love the smell - hate the flavor...

Thoughts and prayers.

 

[dkp993]

My routine for years has been to stop at the local Quik Trip for my one morning Coke. Love that pop of the carbonation and caffeine and sugar to get me going.

Trying to quit this now just to try and reduce sugar intake. I have an enourmous sweet tooth but it's time to scale back. I'm in pretty good shape but as I age this is not sustainable if I want to stay healthy.

I started this yesterday. Brought a can of coke so I can grab a sip once the caffeine headaches kick in. Sitting here now at 10:13am and trying to hold off as much as possible.

Any tips or shtick would be great as my body revolts. Thanks in advance. 

I did this about 7-8 yrs ago.  Was a 4-6 soda a day guys (coke too). I switched to iced tea and honestly it wasn’t that tough (much to my surprise). I basically only drink iced tea and water now (maybe 2 cokes a month).  

 

[Jaysus]

Diet Coke has a weird after taste to me.  Coke Zero is where it's at for sugar free.....

ooh, I like that one too.  I mean, I have always drank soda to some degree, it just was never a preference of mine. I almost always ordered water if I was out. Now I get excited about a diet soda at times - lol

 

[Juxtatarot]

Never got into coffee. Love the smell - hate the flavor kind of guy.

Eliminating caffeine would be good too - my stomach issues are better when I don't consume as much caffeine and alcohol.  Beer is my next victim unfortunately.  Need to get back to more running and healthy overall. Been a rough two years for me. 

Good luck!  Maybe you should be a green tea guy.

 

[Drunken knight]

Yeah, all soda.

I assume even the no sugar kinds have some kind of artificial sweetener in them so want to get away from that as well. Just an overall reset for healthy living. We already eat farmers market fruits and veggies. Mostly buy organic beef and chicken when we can.

i have removed a lot of sugar from my diet.  Drinks i keep around:

Gatorade zero

bai waters

certain iced teas

hint waters

sparkling waters: le croix, etc

 

[Drunken knight]

Diet Coke has a weird after taste to me.  Coke Zero is where it's at for sugar free.....

yes.  on rare occasion i will buy a 12 pack of cherry coke zero

 

[wikkidpissah]

Never got into coffee. Love the smell - hate the flavor kind of guy.

gotta Irish it up 

 

[Ron Swanson]

Splenda Coke was the best but the pandemic seems to have killed it off. Coke Zero is a close second.  The suggestion about Bai water is solid, especially their coconut variations. Solid and only 10 cal.  

 

[ChiefD]

Good luck!  Maybe you should be a green tea guy.

Yeah, this is a good idea. I may try that.

 

[ChiefD]

i have removed a lot of sugar from my diet.  Drinks i keep around:

Gatorade zero

bai waters

sparkling waters: le croix, etc

My wife has these on hand almost all the time. Good idea. Probably taste better with a splash of vodka and some of those farmers market fruits.

 

[simey]

Any tips or shtick would be great as my body revolts. Thanks in advance. 

I drink lemon lime seltzer water when I want something fizzy. I like the taste of it. I mix it with vodka or bourbon sometimes too. I also drink a grape seltzer water sometimes. 

 

[Drunken knight]

Splenda Coke was the best but the pandemic seems to have killed it off. Coke Zero is a close second.  The suggestion about Bai water is solid, especially their coconut variations. Solid and only 10 cal.  

yes.  big fan of their coconut/lime

 

[Mister CIA]

yes.  big fan of their coconut/lime

Obligatory:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsSuueEGQSM

 

[otb_lifer]

been off reg soda since '94, i do Coke Zero maybe once a month, twice if i want Jack n' Cokes to toss a bag on. 

the health benefits are abundant, do your homework - soda is pure ####### garbage. 

died iced green tea, club soda if you crave carbonation - add some natural flavors. 

the caffeine detox is minimal, it'll pass quickly ... don't punk out with Excedrin - beat the ##### straight up. 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Take the Excedrin. Have one a day for a few days and then quit for awhile. 
 

Later on you can have one or two on a cheat day. Because they’re a rare treat they’re amazing ( or some people say awful). 
 

Remember, better men than you have failed. Godspeed. 

 

[Kal El]

Carbonated water is an option, but it’s an acquired taste. There are also actually flavored drinks that have caffeine, but stevia instead of sugar.

 

[jamny]

I started with flavored seltzer and now drink mostly plain seltzer or water. I would have a can of soda maybe once or twice a year for a while but now haven't had any in probably 10 years.

 

[Zegras11]

I don't drink coffee.  Have never liked the taste  

Would have one Dr. Pepper each for morning for my caffeine fix.

Quit 3 months ago. Replaced with flavored water that has caffeine

I've lost 20 pounds. First 3 days were tough. That was it. 

Eta... once or twice a month swelling of my right foot brought by sitting too much has totally disappeared 

 

[urbanhack]

Find a good Kombucha flavor that you like. This is a much better alternative and will at least satisfy the carbonation cravings. I've actually be using kombucha a substitute at the end of the night. Instead of having one more beer, i'll have a kombucha instead. 

 

[ChiefD]

Find a good Kombucha flavor that you like. This is a much better alternative and will at least satisfy the carbonation cravings. I've actually be using kombucha a substitute at the end of the night. Instead of having one more beer, i'll have a kombucha instead. 

I've been trying this. There is a company here that goes to the Farmers Market each weekend. I have the refillable bottles.  It's pretty good stuff and good for the gut too.

 

[BeTheMatch]

Yeah, this is a good idea. I may try that.

I think Green Teas are just as bad or worse if you're buying the top brands.

 

[otb_lifer]

Eta... once or twice a month swelling of my right foot brought by sitting too much has totally disappeared 

i had terrible pain from a stress fracture in my right shin, which all but crippled me at times - that slowly faded once i gave up the soda - i only feel it occasionally now, mostly when i push too hard, of course - but i run 6 days a week, and it maybe flares up a few times a year ... as opposed to the soda era, where it would flare on the reg, even if i was barely active. 

 

[mr. furley]

was a "grab a Pepsi on the way to the office" guy for a long, long time.

also drank it throughout the day. way too much. 

decided to quit. headaches were brutal for a solid week. i was just exhausted all the time for about 2 weeks. the sudden sugar and caffeine withdrawal sucks. but once you get past that window, you're golden. takes a bit for the brain to stop demanding the sugar rush, but you can do it.

i drink a root beer, cherry or grapefruit soda maybe once a month now and don't miss the taste of Pepsi, Coke, etc. at all.  

 

[NutterButter]

Used to love diet cola.   Now its strictly seltzer with lemon juice as I can get both in bulk from costco.  Its pretty remarkable how the mind adjusts to craving something for years to not even thinking about it at all.   Just try to focus on eliminating as much sugar from your diet as possible.  

 

[Gally]

Carbonated water is an option, but it’s an acquired taste. There are also actually flavored drinks that have caffeine, but stevia instead of sugar.

Ted Lasso spits in your face

 

[Zegras11]

was a "grab a Pepsi on the way to the office" guy for a long, long time.

also drank it throughout the day. way too much. 

decided to quit. headaches were brutal for a solid week. i was just exhausted all the time for about 2 weeks. the sudden sugar and caffeine withdrawal sucks. but once you get past that window, you're golden. takes a bit for the brain to stop demanding the sugar rush, but you can do it.

i drink a root beer, cherry or grapefruit soda maybe once a month now and don't miss the taste of Pepsi, Coke, etc. at all.  

I started the caffeine water day 4 and the headaches went away.  

I loved my DP.  Didn't take long to get over the craving for it once I found a few flavors of the water I liked 

 

[identikit]

Enjoying a vanilla coke zero right now reading through this thread...

Guilty still tastes pretty, pretty good.

 

[ChiefD]

Made it til lunch.

Damn, this thing tastes so ####### good. 

 

[Steve Tasker]

Flavored seltzer, sweetened with something like aspartame, was pretty good for me when I was trying to kick the pop habit.  Diet pop never worked for me, but weaning myself off regular pop and onto flavored sparkling water was a good start.  I'd say it truly took a solid 6 months or so to fully make the switch over to just plain old water.

At this point, pop is so sickeningly sweet that I can barely drink it.  I'd probably say I drink something like 36 oz of pop a year now?  It's not never, but it's maybe once every 3-4 months on a special occasion, and I rarely finish the can in its entirety.  Pretty much all I drink is water, black coffee, or beer/liquor (it's a vice of mine). 

It's doable if you commit to it, and once you get the past the hump, you'll find you rarely crave it.

 

[mr. furley]

Flavored seltzer, sweetened with something like aspartame, was pretty good for me when I was trying to kick the pop habit.  Diet pop never worked for me, but weaning myself off regular pop and onto flavored sparkling water was a good start.  I'd say it truly took a solid 6 months or so to fully make the switch over to just plain old water.

At this point, pop is so sickeningly sweet that I can barely drink it.  I'd probably say I drink something like 36 oz of pop a year now?  It's not never, but it's maybe once every 3-4 months on a special occasion, and I rarely finish the can in its entirety.  Pretty much all I drink is water, black coffee, or beer/liquor (it's a vice of mine). 

It's doable if you commit to it, and once you get the past the hump, you'll find you rarely crave it.

it's truly incredible just how disgustingly sweet soda is after taking a break from it

blech

 

[ChiefD]

Made it til lunch.

Damn, this thing tastes so ####### good. 

I feel like I just had sex. 

 

[E Street Brat]

I drink green tea for the caffeine fix all morning. Straight water in the afternoon. and this water from Walmart mixed with Tito's all night,  I'll sometimes get a soda craving so I keep a few of the small 8oz. cans of Pepsi or Ginger Ale hanging around. 

Back in my teens and twenties, I couldn't function with out my Mt. Dew.