The first time I drank Diet Coke I was 17 and I was babysitting and
it was the only soda they had in the house. I remember not
liking the taste. So I kept drinking it until I did like
it. Why? I don't know, but since then I've
become addicted. I try to stick to one a day, but it's
more like two or three.
After all this time, the bad press finally got to me. I
honestly don't believe the stories about your coworker's
best friend's aunt who was on her death bed with all sorts of
mysterious health issues until she stopped drinking diet soda, made
a full recovery and ran a marathon the next day.
The news that gets to me is that aspartame causes sugar cravings
and contributes to weight gain and obesity. Aspartame, the
calorie-free artificial sweetener found in Diet Coke, is sweet like
sugar (actually sweeter than sugar). The body gets confused
when it tastes something that normally brings in calories (energy!)
but this time doesn't bring in calories. It can increase
cravings and insulin production and release. It can also
distort a person's perception of what is sweet and the amount
of sugar needed to be satisfied, which can cause
overeating.
I'll admit that the reason I drink diet soda in the first place
is vanity. I have a huge aversion to drinking calories.
I also have a huge sweet tooth. Chocolate and Diet Coke go
together in my mind. I'm thinking there might be some
truth in these claims.
So after thinking about it for months and finally finishing all the
Diet Coke in my house (there was always a good sale!), I gave it
up. Yesterday. So far so good! I really like
water, so I'm not worried about finding a replacement for
it. My only concern is that it's just such a habit.
Yes, there's none in the house, but there's a soda fountain
in the cafeteria at my office and at the restaurant where I also
work. It's almost too easy to just grab a glass at any
time of the day.
How can I avoid this? How long until I don't crave it
anymore?!
User post: Addicted to Diet Coke...but not for long
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Posted by Wed Jan 7, 2009 6:56am PST
Report AbuseGood for you! I have been diet coke free and caffeine free for one year!!!! The first few days really stunk! Hang in there!
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Posted by Wed Jan 7, 2009 8:11am PST
Report AbuseI'm with you on this one. I have also decided to give up diet sodas. I'm addicted to caffeine and sugar, so for me Diet Coke and Diet Mountain Dew were a God's send. No sugar, but it tastes like there is, plus caffeine all in one wonderful beverage. But no more! I also heard the research about aspartame tricking the body and making you just crave more sugar. This is mainly why I decided to give it up, and also because I think artifical sweetener might be contributing to my headaches. So we'll see what happens.
For me so far so good. I've been without it for 2 days now. I'm sure your cravings will go away soon, just hang in there. Just be aware that unless you are getting caffeine from another drink, like coffee or tea, you'll probably experience some pretty bad headaches due to caffeine withdraw. Good luck to you!
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Posted by Wed Jan 7, 2009 9:11am PST
Report AbuseGood luck to you! I am also kicking the habit. I have a long history of addiction to any kind of diet soda. I got totally addicted to sugar-free red bull. That is like a drug, especially when you have to wake up at 5 a.m.! At only 10 calories, I got all of this amazing energy but my sleep suffered as a result, and once again, I needed that red bull the next day (sometimes 2) to start the cycle all over again.
However, I made a resolution to quit cold turkey. So far so good for me, however, anytime I hear someone open a can of soda, I have to turn my head to see what the beverage is and I drool a little.
Now, to calm my sanity, I just think about how much money I am saving and how I can spend the saved money on cute clothes. Also, if I need some fizz, I'll just get some seltzer water and I try to drink hot tea with a touch of milk. I figure, the less chemical crap I put in my body, the better I feel. Plus I am sleeping so much better and the tea tastes so warm and soothing! Plus, it takes longer to enjoy and feels like a treat whereas diet coke can easily be chugged down.
Anyhow, I am totally with you on the addiction so hang in there!
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Posted by Wed Jan 7, 2009 9:22am PST
Report AbuseI am also addicted, but it has never caused me to crave sugary things. I don't have a sweet tooth at all....except for "that time" of the month.
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Posted by Wed Jan 7, 2009 9:38am PST
Report AbuseI've also given up diet soda, breath mints, and all artificially sweetened foods after reading an article about the side affects of aspartame. It's a neurotoxin that can have all kinds of bad side effects one of which is facial redness. After I cut out the aspartame from my life my skin is so much less red and I have more energy. Seeing these differences helps me to stay away from it. When I crave soda I mix up some stevia (natural sweetener)and lemon juice and add some seltzer. It kind of tastes like 7-up and helps me to stay away from soda.
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Posted by Wed Jan 7, 2009 9:57am PST
Report AbuseI also have a pretty bad diet coke addiction. I gave it up and any other kind of pop for six months last year but it's so difficult when you're around it all the time! So I went back and I try to only have one a day, but sometimes it's two. I guess I'm okay with it now because it really is my only vice, and I could have many worse habits. But to help me only have one a day I also drink a lot of sparkling water, which tastes good and still is fizzy.
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Posted by Wed Jan 7, 2009 10:07am PST
Report AbuseI am on the other end of the stick, girl, and it is hard. My whole life I have been addicted to full-fat, full flavor Dr. Pepper (my nickname when I was a baby was "Cokey" because I wouldn't drink a bottle unless my mom dipped the nipple in Dr. Pepper, or "a coke" here in Texas). And, on January first, I gave it up. Since then I've probably had about 3 liters of water a DAY to try and conquer my need for it. I have found that what helps the most (with the soda machine being so easily accessible) is to always have a bottle or glass of water ON HAND. That way, it is not only your willpower working for you, but also your brain: "I don't need a diet coke/dr. pepper/cup o' joe/insert addiction here. I have this bottle of water to finish." As soon as I finish one liter, I get out another bottle (our tap water is condemned, I live in the country, and I do recycle, so please don't attack me) and go to town. I think 21 days is the normal amount of time it takes to lose the taste for it though.
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Posted by Wed Jan 7, 2009 11:26am PST
Report AbuseDiet Coke tastes like Paregoric. In fact, Paregoric tastes better.
If you drink soda pop, drink the real thing. By "real thing", I do
not mean anything with corn syrup- yuck. Tastes like melted Jolly
Rancher candy.
Drink soda made with cane sugar- some small-label, specialty manufactu-
rers make them. But the best place to get such sodas is abroad- most
countries still use the "old formulas" which ALL soda companies used
till the 1970's. A trip to, say, Britain will open your eyes and taste
buds. But you don't have to go that far- most soda bottled in Mexico
still uses cane sugar (since sugar actually is cheaper than corn syrup
outside the US. In the southwest US one can find Mexican-bottled soda
in convenience stores and Hispanic groceries. And it's in GLASS, too-
no plastic or aluminum taste.
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Posted by Wed Jan 7, 2009 11:38am PST
Report AbuseGood for you! The cravings WILL go away, but it may take a few weeks/months. I used to have a pretty bad DC habit... I'd polish off a 2 litre (1/2 gallon) bottle every day or two. I gave it up a few years ago, and have no regrets. You'll feel so much better when you're not all bloated and gassy from all that excess carbonation. And aspartame is the devil!!!
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Posted by Wed Jan 7, 2009 2:09pm PST
Report AbuseWhat I have never understood is why anyone would drink or eat something that is used in explosives. I'm just saying...
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