Saying goodbye to an old friend (diet coke)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Switch to regular! Sugar is better for you than chemical sweetener, and you'll feel "fed" so you won't have the same cravings for junk food.

I lost weight when I made the switch.

Regulate coke is gross.

[Anonymous]

You CAN quit. I went from coffee every morning and about 4-6 sodas a day to nothing. Go cold turkey. Get something to reward or treat yourself and keep lots of ice handy for icy-cold water. You'll miss it for a few weeks and then you'll forget what it tastes like. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

In an effort to cut down on diet coke, I drink sparkeling water (Poland spring is best because less sodium). I find it is also the carbonation I crave.

[Anonymous]

Nasty headaches for three solid days when I stopped dc two years ago. Now I'd never go back.

[Anonymous]

OP again, love all of the encouragement! I had forgotten that I did give it up completely while I was pregnant, but that was easy b/c I will do anything if it's best for my kids. Now if only I can be so good to myself! Of course it was the first thing I asked for as soon as it was "legal" to drink again (can't remember if I had to lay off during breastfeeding, too -- I was last pregnant awhile ago). I'm not a cold tea fan, but the pantry is stocked with green and herbal tea, and I've got lots of sparkling water to enjoy with a splash of Pom or unsweetened cranberry juice when I "need" the fizz. I will let you know how I do.

[Anonymous]

I am on a Diet Root Beer kick lately.

[Anonymous]

OP, you can do it!

I gave it up a few years ago when pregnant, and haven't gone back. It's crap!

[Anonymous]

I gave up the diet soda almost five years ago. I was so addicted to diet coke during law school (probably drank 5-6 a day - YUCK!!!). But after reading some information about artificial sweeteners it really turned me off, plus I cut back drastically on the caffeine when I got pregnant and never went back.

Now, I allow myself a real coke as a treat when I go to the movies (something I only do about once a month). After drinking the real thing, I can't even stand the taste of diet anymore - tastes like a can of chemicals.

You can do this OP! You will feel so much better, trust me.

[Anonymous]

I have only a couple a week at this point. Used to drink at least 2 a day. I dont really miss it. Now coffee is another matter - I know it upsets my stomach but I can't give it up.

[Anonymous]

Oh, I used to have the worst Diet Coke habit. Between law school and 10 years in Biglaw, I was up to 5 or 6 a day. Cut back while I was pregnant, but always went back to it.

In the last 15 months, I've pretty much switched to sparkling water. It's cold and tastes good, plus it has the bubbles that I need. I have the occasional Fresca or SPrite Zero when i need more flavor, or I put a splash of OJ into my sparkling water.

Wean yourself off Diet Coke gently. You can get quite the caffeine withdrawal headaches if you're not careful.

[Anonymous]

I quit two years ago because when I googled the ingredients I felt disgusted.

Now I make iced tea (from teabags) a couple of times a week and keep it in the fridge for drinking in the afternoon. It gives me a caffeine boost without the chemicals.

Once in a blue moon I have a Diet Coke (e.g. if we go out to lunch) but honestly, it doesn't taste all that great to me anymore.

You can do it, OP.

[Anonymous]

I'm so addicted. I didn't used to be but my DH was and I latched onto his habit. In particular, I'm addicted to Diet Coke from McDonald's. It's not just the tasted, it's the whole experience. It tastes good, the straw is the perfect size, I love the way the carbonation touches my tongue and the tingling I feel in my nose. I'm switching to the 2 liter bottles because they're cheaper and not as experiential. It's hard, though, because my DH isn't on board with quitting and when I see him drinking one, it's hard not to want my own. I know we'd both be healthier without it but....

(I have to say the herbal tea thing doesn't sound anywhere near as enticing as a Diet Coke.)

[Anonymous]

I gave up all soda cold turkey after I ended up in the ER with excruciating pain which I later found out was from a kidney stone that was stuck. Once the CT scan revealed the issue, one of the questions the ER doc asked is "Do you drink soda?" I loved soda-diet soda and the occasional sugary soda. I had been drinking lots of soda since I was a pre-teen and I didn't have issues. Turns out something in soda can contribute big time to kidney stones. I gave up soda close to 6 years ago and have not had kidney stone pain since. We never have soda in the house and my kids are happy to drink water and the occasional juice.

Soda also really sucks because it can contribute to other health issues-I think even cancer.

Good luck OP!

[Anonymous]

Wait so are you diet with regular

[Anonymous]

I gave up all fake sugar when I was planning to try to get pregnant. I was "older" and figured I needed all the healthy vibes I could get. I feared gaining weight. Instead, I started to lose weight. Not only that, but I felt better. I no longer felt that strange always hungry, must have carbs feeling. And it was easier to crave healther foods such as veggies, yogurt and fruit (because I wasnt' craving preztels).

And I did not give up caffeine at the same time.

Also, around the same time I went off a medicine that I was on to alleviate stomach problems. I thought they would back. But ever since I gave up fake sugar, most of my stomach problems have gone away (not all, but most).

If I ever get a sip of aspertame now by mistake, I can tell within minutes. My stomach feels ill.

So maybe I am more sensitive, but I think it is well worth giving up. Stop drinking soda altogethor. Focus on drinking water and you will start to crave water. And try some of the carbonated waters out there. You may not like them at first, but I've grown to appreciate them.

Signed,
A former diet-coke addict