The woman in the article also smoke 30 cigs a day, drank coffee, ate poorly and had low potassium levels. I think soda was only one piece of that picture. That said I'm currently working on ditching my diet coke habit. Like all habits and all addictions it's tough but necessary.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/woman-coca-cola-habit-cited-death-161323721.html

woman dies at 30 (!) because she drinks too much coke. need i say more????

She drank like 10 bottles a day and you're comparing that to OP drinking 5 cans a day? You're right, please don't say anymore lest you be an idiot.

OP increased steadily and shows no sign of stopping. and she's not the only one reading this. i posted this for ALL of the coke/soda addicts.

Anonymous wrote:http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/woman-coca-cola-habit-cited-death-161323721.html

woman dies at 30 (!) because she drinks too much coke. need i say more????

She drank like 10 bottles a day and you're comparing that to OP drinking 5 cans a day? You're right, please don't say anymore lest you be an idiot.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/woman-coca-cola-habit-cited-death-161323721.html

woman dies at 30 (!) because she drinks too much coke. need i say more????

Anonymous wrote:Are you a parent? Has it occured to you that it might be a good idea to kick bad habits for hte sake of your kids? Simply modeling good, healthy habits?

Do you give your kids soda?

You don't think kids drink soda? I know many kids that do, albeit on weekends only, or before a certain time,etc.

As much as I enjoy Diet Coke, I stopped drinking it at home (still have it once in awhile when I go out). Diet and regular Coke are very bad for your teeth. It's the acid. You can ask your dentist. . . .

Feel caffeinated just reading this post - yes, try to cut back. Some PPs have good suggestions on how to do so. Bet you will be grateful you did so a year from now.

I could have written your post, OP, except that I gained about 40 pounds in my 40s (I know, maybe I got fat because the Diet Coke stimulates my appetite, but I too have been drinking diet soda since 16). A therapist suggested I would be more successful dieting if I didn't give up everything sweet (my weakness) at once. So I have cut out sugary treats and will keep my Diet Cokes as a "crutch" for now. I hope that when my diet is more stable, I can transition away from Diet Coke.

Oh, and it's true about kids.

My teenage boys guzzle Diet Coke because it's the only soda I keep in the house, and they see me doing it. I can't justify saying they can't when I do (and no, I don't drink alcohol, so that's not a good analogy). So if you can quit before your kids, if you have them, are old enough to choose to drink diet soda, they'll be better off.

Good luck.

There is nothing wrong with diet drinks especially splenda, disregard the self appointed internet scientist doctors above