Lately, I've been feeling a pull to give up diet sodas. You know how much I love Diet Pepsi; I wrote a whole post about it.
I don't know, I guess I've just been seeing a lot lately about the evils of diet soda and how it helps you hold on to pounds, even though it does not have calories. I'm not really sure how that works, except I know it is supposed to make you crave sweets. I know that when I eat certain foods, like Moe's, BoJangles, and popcorn, I have to have a diet drink to go with it or I feel incomplete. Also know that when I have one, I always want to have another, and once I start drinking diet pepsi, it's hard to switch back to water.
Even though I've been drinking it for years, caffeine still affects me. I start my day with one every day, just like some people do coffee, to get me started. I feel incomplete without it. If I drink it too close to bedtime, it keeps me awake.
Also, I am hopelessly addicted, so the idea of giving it up means a few days in pain. It will feel like my brain is being ripped into thousands of pieces for at least two days.
I don't think I can go to a strictly water-only drinking regimen, and I don't drink any form of tea, so I guess that leaves just a little bit of Crystal Lite now and again? I can't think of any other low-cal drink. Suggestions?
Honestly, it sounds horrible to even think about giving it up. I love the pop and fizz sound that comes when I crack open a can. I love the crisp taste, especially when it comes from a fountain. However, as I'm trying very hard to close in on my goal, I could use any kind of extra help I can get.
But then sometimes I think, I'm already "giving up" a lot to lose weight, cutting down on my eating out and eating chocolate. Why should I have to give up one more thing, especially when it has ZERO calories?
As you can see, I'm of two minds about this. I'd love to know what you think. You can vote in the comments section below. Have you ever been addicted to caffeine?
Listening in as I seriously need to kick the Dt Dew to the curb.
ReplyDeleteDO IT! I know you can!
ReplyDeleteI gave up soda/caffine one year for Lent, and I was a serious crab for about three days. And I had a massive headache.
ReplyDeleteOn Easter, I figured I'd want to guzzle about 20 of those 20 oz. bottles of Coke. But, I didn't. I lost the real desire for the taste of soda. That doesn't mean it never resurged, because it did and does. Since then, though, I haven't ever craved soda like I did before, and when I do drink soda, it tastes all the more delicious.
Caffeine is a bit of a different story. I love me some coffee. But, I've made an effective switch to green tea, which I generally drink straight up (no milk or sugar). When I do drink coffee, it is like the sweet, sweet nectar of the gods. So it's a treat more than anything else.
It ain't easy to get off the soda train, but it's pretty sweet when you do. And cheaper.
Maybe it can be a Lenten challenge to give up Diet P and then see where it goes from there.
Two years ago, I was challenged to give up soda for two weeks. I really didn't know if I could do it. I was a big fan of Diet Dr. Pepper, Diet Coke, and fountain Diet Pepsi. After surviving the first couple of days, with the aid of Aleve, I realized that I could do it. After the two weeks were up, I just kept going. After a couple of months, I tried some and I thought it was terrible! Sometimes now, I will take a little sip and it tastes good. I see that I could easily slip back into the habit. But I do find that I crave sweet things even more when I have a little taste. Yeah, water gets boring but in the end, I feel better after drinking it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your choice!
have you looked into carbonation machines? you might be able to make healthier fizzy drinks...
ReplyDeleteFIZZ! i can help you with this one...have you ever had a cherry limade from sonic? well they sell these sparkling waters at target that taste soo goood just like the drink! zero calorie!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the suggestions! I think I'm taking the plunge. I didn't buy any at the store last weekend. Now I'm rationing just one a day and when I'm out, I'm out. I think that means that by Saturday or Sunday, I'll begin my detox. I'm sure you'll hear more about this from me at some point.
ReplyDelete