Addiction to soda

[Chayla]

So lately I've found that I have a really bad addiction. To soda. In an act to improve my health, I stopped drinking soda. That only lasted a week. That's the longest I've been without it since I can even remember. But it was the worst week of my life, I was constantly tired. I'd wake up at 3 PM, and by 6 PM I would already be tired enough to sleep. I wasn't myself, and was being really rude to everyone around me. I don't think I'm addicted to the caffeine, maybe just the combination of the caffeine and sugar? I've tried caffeine pills, but they don't work for me. And energy drinks just put me right to sleep.

I really want to become healthy, so I'd like to know if anyone else has had this problem? Or if anyone has any suggestions to overcome it?

[i_am_me_again]

Instead of stopping completely, gradually cut down. Like if you have 1 bottle a day instead of 1 and a half. A healthier option is that you could also go for diet or zero drinks & Caffiene free drinks.

You dont have to stop drinking soda completely, just try & have more control & slowly drink less each day. Good luck :-)

[TJ.]

When I stopped drinking soda, I just straight up stopped and went to botteled water.. I used to drink over 2 litres a day....

Try moving to tea for a while.

[Tegan]

Originally Posted by i_am_me_again

Instead of stopping completely, gradually cut down. Like if you have 1 bottle a day instead of 1 and a half.

agreed, I was told down to cut down on the amount of coffee I drink.
And I went from like 6 cups to two starbucks... y'know?
just cut down and it'll be easier to just stop altogether.
good luck

[Lizzie]

It is the caffeine you are addicted to. I have the same problem. If I didn’t have a soda during the day I would get terrible headaches from the lack of caffeine. What I do now is have a cup of tea, or something that has less caffeine in it. It makes me feel better, but is not as bad for me.
But because it is an actual addiction, stopping cold turkey will make you sick. So you need to gradually wean yourself off.

[drowningangel]

I agree with Lizzie. We have had quite a few people on here request help for caffeine addictions. (If we had the posts left, I'd refer you, but as we don't, you get websites!)

Most people hear "caffeine addiction" and automatically think : coffee. Yes, but it also includes sodas that are not caffeine free (yes, they do make them. ), most teas, energy drinks, chocolate, etc.

Caffeine is considered the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the world. Approximately 80% of the world's population consumes it on a daily basis, and continuous research is being done on its health benefits and consequences.

http://www.medicinenet.com/caffeine/article.htm

And below is a link specifically for those struggling to stop drinking caffeinated sodas.
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/ma...ticlekey=55663

The main thing is not to stop cold turkey. You go through withdrawals with caffeine just like you do with drugs or alcohol. It has an effect on your body and mind. So just back off slowly and take it a day at a time.

[LucyLouWho]

I have the very same problem. I really think that I'm addicted to caffeine. When I stop drinking soda for awhile, I get really bad headaches and I get really tired. I seriously have to have soda or coffee.

Maybe try to cut down little by little. Overcoming any addiction is never easy, but any means. It'll take some time and effort, but you can do it. Just take baby steps to begin with and you'll eventually be down to a point where you don't really need the caffeine.

I wish you the best of luck. :]

[Banana_choc]

I used to have a can or 2 of soda a day and then I went to school and I didn't have soda in my room so I would buy one on occasion but I hated to waste the money so I would have one on a weekend or every other when i was home (or 4) so I started by cutting back. Then was told no caffiene at all in the summer (that went for 4 months then i decided to re introduce it to myself)... but none the less cold turkey even under medical advice is VERY hard to do. so as suggestion just cut down to how much a day then every other and maybe end settle for one or 2 a week.. or only when out or something. water is of course the best replacement and there is always the fizzy water when you crave fizz (thats my addiction to soda. . . I just want the fizz!)

[Lost and Found]

The high-fructose corn sweetener that is in most processed foods is actually addictive. So that might be the cause. Because there's a ton of that in soda. Either way, my recommendation would be just to slowly cut off your soda intake. I don't recommend diet soda, that stuff is actually really bad for you.

Maybe, you can try mixing sparkling water with juice, (or just getting sparkling juice, if you have more luck finding it than I do.) because it's sort of like soda, but it's not. And start drinking that instead. Like, you could drink less and less soda, and more and more of stuff like that, until you don't feel like you need to have soda anymore.

Good luck.

[JB00]

I was (sometimes am) addiced to soda, like totally. But I started drinking other beverages in place of soda without completely replacing it, like apple juice lol, and iced-tea, and lemonade. So yeah, just drink more of other drinks and stuffs and less soda, I don't think you need to totally ban soda from your diet, and if you do you can make it gradual so it's not as hard.

[niente_]

Omg, I'm really addicted too ... I think it help me unstress, and I can't quite figure out how that works. I wish I didn't drink so much, cos I know it's bad for me ... but I know how you feel!