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As simple as the title is, it is also the most straight-forward. I wanted to get some personal advice and suggestions in regards to my situation. For nearly the past 4-5 years, I've been drinking a ton of soda. Some like beer, some like strong alcoholic drinks, others enjoy marijuana; I am about soda.
It's gotten so bad, that sometimes I feel a bit light-headed and empty without at least a glass. In the past it was candy, salty snacks and microwaveable meals and I've made huge progress since. But with soda, I need to have at least a glass and I'm really looking to change that.
Unfortunately, I can't seem to find any real substitute. The biggest issue I have with the more accepting drinks is 1. it isn't as strong in flavour as soda (and so it really turns me off) and 2. it isn't nearly as cheap. I suppose that's why Soda is so delightful and marketably well-off.
I won't gasp you with just how bad it is. Just looking for some real alternatives. I've tried drinking only juice and then weening off that until just water. But eventually I revert back and to be honest; Juice isn't all that better either (though I do love those V8 juice mixes!).
Any help or suggestions?
+ Show Spoiler +My favourite flavors are Vanilla Coke, Pepsi Blue, Stewart's Black Cherry Soda, JONES Blue Lemonade, Cherry and Green Apple.
edit: I'm not gaining any weight, I just feel the amount of sugar I take in is a lot
edit: Most people suggest going cold-turkey or gradually reducing my intake throughout weeks. I guess I'll have to give that another shot if that's the only way
  
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ever thought about or tried going cold turkey on the soda and just drinking water?
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I have the same problem. I drink Pepsi nonstop and it's really affecting my health (noticeable weight gain).
I started buying more milk and juices to have an alternative, but I always let them go bad and opt for a Pepsi before anything else. I tried just stopping cold turkey and drinking more water, but that just made me eager to drink more Pepsi later in the day.
Looking forward to the responses in this thread as well!
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On April 02 2013 04:18 ieatkids5 wrote:
ever thought about or tried going cold turkey on the soda and just drinking water?
Yep. Doesn't work because then I feel really light-headed and dizzy even. As if I hadn't eaten or drank anything in awhile.
My meals also tend to taste a bit more bland on some occasions.
On April 02 2013 04:19 Butterednuts wrote:
I have the same problem. I drink Pepsi nonstop and it's really affecting my health (noticeable weight gain).
I started buying more milk and juices to have an alternative, but I always let them go bad and opt for a Pepsi before anything else. I tried just stopping cold turkey and drinking more water, but that just made me eager to drink more Pepsi later in the day.
Looking forward to the responses in this thread as well!
Ah, I don't gain any weight sadly. But with the amount of sugar I intake, most are surprised I don't have diabetes yet (I used to drink a lot of Jones Bottle soda everyday (which is 46g of sugar a bottle).
I drink a lot of milk with my sugary cereal (which is also a problem).
I'm a real sugar freak ):
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As gimmicky as it sounds, I know some people who've been helped a ton by switching to seltzer. Something about the bubbles satisfies their soda itch.
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On April 02 2013 04:22 Meadowlark wrote:
As gimmicky as it sounds, I know some people who've been helped a ton by switching to seltzer. Something about the bubbles satisfies their soda itch.
I hear that, but about ginger ale which is a lot more tolerable. I can't stand Seltzer.
On April 02 2013 04:20 rauk wrote:
drink fizzy water
So I hear, do you think ginger ale works?
On April 02 2013 04:21 Thrill wrote:
Fix your teeth.
ok
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Yeah, have you tried club soda? (straight carbonated water basically).
It tastes awful the first few times but its only like 2 days until its delicious. I personally hate water so for a while I drank almost exclusively club soda. It isn't cheaper than pop really but if part of pop's attraction to you is it's price then this qualifies. I'm not sure how good it is for your teeth (still drinking acid  ) but at least no sugar etc.
Only problem is that I'm sure by now your body wants a sugar hit, which this definitely won't provide.
EDIT: okay my post was started before like the last 5. Currently I drink almost exclusively milk, but thats just because I like the taste and its healthier than Pop/Fruit Juice etc.
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On April 02 2013 04:23 Sn0_Man wrote:Yeah, have you tried club soda? (straight carbonated water basically). It tastes awful the first few times but its only like 2 days until its delicious. I personally hate water so for a while I drank almost exclusively club soda. It isn't cheaper than pop really but if part of pop's attraction to you is it's price then this qualifies. I'm not sure how good it is for your teeth (still drinking acid ) but at least no sugar etc. Only problem is that I'm sure by now your body wants a sugar hit, which this definitely won't provide. EDIT: okay my post was started before like the last 5. Currently I drink almost exclusively milk, but thats just because I like the taste and its healthier than Pop/Fruit Juice etc.
I tried going pure ginger ale, I might try again if it's just as good as a solution as seltzer water.
yeah, I'm drinking Sprite right now. If I try hard, I can usually make a 2 Litre bottle last 4-5 days before I have to get some more.
I drink soda out of a straw because my teeth are pretty bad.
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Have you tried slowly reducing your intake of soda?
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hmm since cold turkey doesnt work, can you try a more gradual approach? these are usually harder to stick to, since it's easy to let it slide once and drink a bit more, and then you're back to drinking soda all day. compare that to cold turkey, where the line is clear how much you can drink. but if you have good self-discipline, reducing your intake by, let's say a quarter of a can a day might lead to some good results. you could probably make a program for yourself to follow. like:
day 1, replace 1/4 can of soda with 1/4 can of seltzer water (or ginger ale).
day 2, replace 1/2 can of soda with 1/2 can of seltzer.
day 3, replace 1/2 can of soda with 1/4 can of seltzer. drink water if you need anything else.
and so on until all your soda intake (however many cans might that be) is gone... this is just an example, but i would really support you switching over to drinking water. hell, juice has a lot of sugar in it too, but at least it's got less, the sugar comes from natural sources, and it's got some vitamins and shit.
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Hm try going to Gatorade or something.
I was the same way a year or so ago where I had to have soda every day. I craved it and couldn't go without at least a little bit every day. I went to Gatorade or you could go and buy and make some sort of juice. Just going straight to water probably won't work as you said.
I would just try to get some sort of juice and just force yourself not to drink soda and drink juice/Gatorade as a replacement.
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On April 02 2013 04:30 ieatkids5 wrote:
hmm since cold turkey doesnt work, can you try a more gradual approach? these are usually harder to stick to, since it's easy to let it slide once and drink a bit more, and then you're back to drinking soda all day. compare that to cold turkey, where the line is clear how much you can drink. but if you have good self-discipline, reducing your intake by, let's say a quarter of a can a day might lead to some good results. you could probably make a program for yourself to follow. like:
day 1, replace 1/4 can of soda with 1/4 can of seltzer water (or ginger ale).
day 2, replace 1/2 can of soda with 1/2 can of seltzer.
day 3, replace 1/2 can of soda with 1/4 can of seltzer. drink water if you need anything else.
and so on until all your soda intake (however many cans might that be) is gone... this is just an example, but i would really support you switching over to drinking water. hell, juice has a lot of sugar in it too, but at least it's got less, the sugar comes from natural sources, and it's got some vitamins and shit.
probably change that to weeks
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I wouldn't advise gatorade. It has just as much sugar as soda does. Maybe not as much as those heartstopping soda drinks, but gatorade will do nothing to kick your sugar intake if that's what you're trying to fix. Can you give us an example of how much you drink. Like a can a day? Maybe if you drink more than that, limit your drinking to a one can or bottle and drink sparingly
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On April 02 2013 04:50 freeshooter wrote:
I wouldn't advise gatorade. It has just as much sugar as soda does. Maybe not as much as those heartstopping soda drinks, but gatorade will do nothing to kick your sugar intake if that's what you're trying to fix. Can you give us an example of how much you drink. Like a can a day? Maybe if you drink more than that, limit your drinking to a one can or bottle and drink sparingly
Currently, about 2 Litres a day if I really let myself go. Sprite or Coke or a generic flavor. It's 2 litres.
If it's Jones Soda or something with a really strong, sweet, over-bearing taste: It's about 4 bottles without breaking a sweat.
I don't like gatorade, as it is not strong enough taste.
It could be the carbonated drink of it, but then again; Juice is just as good.
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Personally I drink 4-5 bottles of water a day, and when I get a sweet tooth I drink Sweetleaf mint and honey tea. It's got about 1/3rd as much sugar as soda and is of course not caffeinated, not a bad drink to have a short glass a day of. Whey protein also has good flavor and better health benefits.
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On April 02 2013 05:01 Oakenshield wrote:
Personally I drink 4-5 bottles of water a day, and when I get a sweet tooth I drink Sweetleaf mint and honey tea. It's got about 1/3rd as much sugar as soda and is of course not caffeinated, not a bad drink to have a short glass a day of. Whey protein also has good flavor and better health benefits.
I don't like tea
or mint
or honey.
I don't like warm drinks either.
I understand the alternatives, I just don't like them because they're weak in flavour or pretty flat in feeling of consumption.
So I'm looking for anyone who's experienced similar and found a method to eventually break down the habit.
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I guess I'm really picky now that I read my responses.
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while weening yourself off maybe you could drink diet or 0 calorie versions for that carbonated flavour punch you crave.
most diet ones taste like crap, but I prefer the taste of coke zero 
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EPT
