photo credit: Ale Paiva/stock.xchng
When there is a lot going on we can lose sight of the small changes that can be made in our lives. Odd work schedules, for example, make it easier to “just grab something quick” to eat instead of planning ahead and eating something healthier, more nutritious and less costly. I am just as guilty of the grab-and-go mentality even though I am not a fan of fast food in general.
This is why I have made the choice to go completely soda and carbonated soft drink-free for the entire month of March. There are myriad health reasons for doing so, not the least of which is the presence of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and chemical additives in many soft drinks. Doing without soft drinks for a month doesn’t seem like that big a deal to me now, but I’m sure there will be times in the next 31 days when my patience and willpower will be tested. My ultimate goal, it should be stated, is to remove soda from my diet entirely, but I think a month is a good starting point.
To make things only slightly more challenging, I will also not consume any other beverages that contain HFCS during the month of March as some so-called “juice drinks” contain the stuff.
How difficult would it be for you to go completely soda-free? Tell us in the comments.
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I gave up soda many years ago for weight loss, and boy did it work. We keep some sodas in the house today, but is not the focus drink by far. Most soda drinks are high in caffeine and I have totally done away with that, including coffee.
Good on ya bro. Stick with it. You’ll feel a difference real soon.
Caffeine is definitely the lesser of the evils for me, but I’m not ready to give it up entirely just yet. It is more important for me to kick my dependence on chemical “foods” at this point.
We don’t drink a whole lot of soda in our household, but REAL ginger ale is our weak spot. Not the stuff with aspartame or HFCS, but with real ginger and cane syrup. The spicier the better. We also do ginger beer. Yum. It hit the craving for something fizzy and cold.
Great idea! I gradually eliminated all soda/hfcs/artificial drinks from my diet, I think about a year ago now. It was kind of a gradual process, but that made it pretty easy. I wanted to get all the artificial sweeteners out of my diet. I’m very happy I did it! I do drink coffee (lots of health benefits they’re starting to discover, yay!) tea, green tea, iced tea, water, and on rare occasions I’ll have 100% fruit juice (after reading labels!)–oh, wine and beer too (grin!) I really don’t miss it at all.
Something I did to help wean myself off the sweet fizzy stuff was drink Pellegrino with ice & lemon in it. I found it helped me not feel deprived and gave me something “special” to drink. I know it’s not a budget thing-it’s been a splurge for me, too. But, if you’ve been drinking a lot of pop, you’ll be saving the $$ from not buying it, which helps a little.
While not being totally soda free, (my wife cannot give up coke….the drink) one of my favorites is to get seltzer water, and blend 2 or 3 oranges (just about any fruit will work.) then strain into the mix.
I was never a big fan of soda. It just doesn’t quench thirst.
Best of luck kicking the soda habit. I’ve tried several times but I always go back to it. I know it’s awful for me. I do make fizzy water with club soda and my own home canned peach nectar but the Diet Coke still calls my name. Arrrgh.
Been soda-free for a while now, except once in a long while. The last time I had some I didn’t feel well afterwards so that’s probably about that for me and soda.
Glad to see you’ll be avoiding giving your money and health over to these corporate giants for a month (maybe more?). I have stopped soda a few times, the latest one stuck. I figure I may drink it once in a while if I am traveling or something, but otherwise, I don’t buy it and don’t keep it around, haven’t had any for over a month myself. I do occasionally drink OJ or lemonade, satisfies the sweet craving, at least.
Soda is tough to give up, but I believe you can do it!
I pretty much gave up soda about four years ago. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and I honestly HATE diet soda. Bought an iced tea maker and didn’t look back. 50 lbs lost, I feel better, and I can make approximately 8 gallons of tea for a buck if I shop around for the best deal on tea bags. That’s a pretty good deal.
That’s my challenge, too, Michael. I’ve never been one of those 1 Coke liter a day kind of people, but at my worst would drink one 12-oz can a day. It’s the hardest habit for me to break, but this week I haven’t had any! Fingers crossed.
I know how difficult it can be!
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