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Plenty of people have vices. Some can be significant like alcohol or drugs or perhaps reckless behavior. Mine, I assumed, was relatively harmless, but here lately it’s become crashing down on me just how NOT harmless my particular vice is.
Hello, my name is Robyn, and I’m addicted to diet sodas.
Seriously, it’s not pretty. In my mind I *know* I should quit. I even developed a plan earlier in the summer and I was going to quit August 1st, but then I had a book deadline and well, here I am and it’s October and well, I haven’t quit. Even if I don’t buy them for the house, I find a way to have one. But more than likely not just one, but two or that one will be huge (hello Route 44 from Sonic!).
I’ve given up stuff before, but this has been a hard nut to crack. I figured it out recently, I did the math and well, I started drinking diet sodas when I was an adolescent, shortly after they appeared on the market. There was no research, so everyone though, ah-ha, here’s a sugarless drink, must be better for you. So I grew up drinking it. This is a long-standing addiction.
And now the studies come out and they’re talking about diet drinks causing everything from cavities to infertility – I have both of those. As well as obesity, kidney disease, chronic headaches and a slew of other side effects. Now I’m not blaming the soda companies, I’m a grown-up, I’m in charge of my decisions. But the argument could be made that this toxic chemical cocktail that I pour into my body has caused many of my personal medical issues.
Okay so I know the stuff is bad for me, but that didn’t stop me from chain drinking (that’s 2 cans, back-to-back) earlier this evening. I suppose I could try to scale back, perhaps limit myself to one 12oz can a day and that would be reasonable, probably not cause too many negative affects, but I’m not sure I can stop at just one.
So come on, dear readers, help a girl out. What can I do to quit? Anyone else have the same addiction? Oh and don’t suggest coffee, I can’t stand the stuff! 
But I’m willing to try anything else.
Filed in: Jaunty Post
Oct 9th
2012
1:21 am
Katherine Garbera Said:
Robyn; I share your addiction, my drink of choice Diet Coke. I can go through one of those fridge packs in a day if I don’t watch it. I have sort of weaned myself off of it by drinking club soda that I add natural fruit to. I put in some fresh strawberries or for something not as sweet lemon or lime. I’ve even made a pitcher with slices of cucumbers in it. The best thing for me is just not have any Diet Coke because one is never enough.
Good luck!
Kathy
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Oct 9th
2012
6:11 am
Mia Marlowe Said:
Cherry Coke Zero is the water of life! It makes me feel rewarded when I drink it. However, I know it’s not good to drink it all the time. I make it a point to drink as much water as CCZ.
Give yourself a break, Robyn. You could be addicted to something so much worse.
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Oct 9th
2012
6:27 am
Kristan Higgins Said:
How about seltzer water, Robyn? Eesh, it’s hard to give something up…
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Oct 9th
2012
8:02 am
Kristin Noel Fischer Said:
Hi Robyn,
I’m a total diet coke addict. I gave it up last winter for a month and gained five pounds, so I don’t know if I believe those studies about it increasing your cravings. Also, no infertility issues here. (Obviously, LOL)
What I don’t like about the addiction is the dependency. However, I wrote a ms about an alcoholic, and it was very easy to tap into those feelings of wanting something you shouldn’t have. So maybe it’s not all bad.
And let’s face it…There are WAY worse things you could be addicted to. Right?
Kristin
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Oct 9th
2012
8:10 am
Lorelei Said:
Coke Zero is what my fave diet drink, and I think it’s worse according to research, it’s even banned in Venezuela. But, I’m not addicted. Anyway, what I serve at home is Crystal Light type beverages. But a friend taught me to make lemonade, even when I go to restaurants. To order water, lemons on the side and squeeze them in my water and add a packet of Splenda. She learned this because her mom used to be diabetic and it was a healthier choice.
I say add more ice to your cup, this way you fill your glass twice with only one can (use a smaller cup, too) and your brain will think your having 2 cans instead of one. Just cut down from 2 cans to one to begin, and that will be a huge step. Cutting cold turkey must be hard but not impossible. I suffer from high cholesterol and I’ve had to stop eating shrimp, chicken wings, certain cheeses. My dad had heart surgery, twice, so that in itself has me thinking that if I don’t watch it, that’s what I’ll have to look forward to.
I just look for other foods to eat that are better choices. As long as tummy is full, you won’t miss it as much.
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Oct 9th
2012
10:08 am
Shana Said:
I drink flavored water, which is carbonated, and that satisfies me when I want a drink. I drink a few diet sodas a week and maybe one cup of coffee a day. I think you might just have to go cold turkey. The side effects will be rough for 2-4 days but after about 8 weeks, your body will feel better. I was reading a YA about a girl who goes back to living like prehistoric people did (FAT CAT), and she has withdrawal initially from cutting out the sodas.
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Oct 9th
2012
10:09 am
eap Said:
Good luck quitting.
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Oct 9th
2012
11:53 am
Phyllis Said:
Are you drinking caffeinated stuff? Caffeine is one of the hardest addictions to kick. Don’t even try to go cold turkey! Maybe you could have one fewer can each day for a week, then one less than that next week. If you miss the sugary taste too much, substitute non-caffeinated diet soda as a stopgap, maybe? Then switch to something healthier.
I’ve never been a huge soda drinker, but do like it every now and then. And I’ve weaned myself from caffeine (mostly coffee and tea) a few times, mainly when pregnant or trying to get that way. Nowadays, I just drink the coffee. Caffeine is also a mild anti-depressant, along with having other health benefits. Or so I keep telling myself.
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Oct 9th
2012
12:35 pm
catslady Said:
I do enjoy my coffee but maybe tea? My nephew’s wife had the same problems as you – well still has some of them but at 42 she had her first baby after 3 miscarriages. It’s a touchy subject so none of us are allowed to talk about weight. Somehow I learned early on about how bad some of those diet or sugar free foods can be so I don’t have that problem. Dr. Oz did a segment on how to wean yourself by doing it gradually. Eventually mixing it with soda water etc. I do think if you’re able to make it that far that you actually lose your taste for it. I can’t remember the last time I even had a regular soda. I wish you all the luck and I’m sure it’s not easy. I really do think they are made to be addictive just like cigarettes.
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Oct 9th
2012
5:27 pm
Margo Maguire Said:
I’m not a soda drinker, so I don’t feel your pain in this, Robyn. I’m wondering if there’s something else you can substitute – lots of good suggestions here!.
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Oct 9th
2012
8:18 pm
chey Said:
I used to drink lots of diet pop. The only way I could quit was going cold turkey. I replaced the diet pop with water (and I didn’t ever drink as much water as I had pop). It’s been about five years, so it is possible. Best of luck!
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Oct 9th
2012
9:59 pm
RobynDeHart Said:
Thanks for all the great suggestions and commiserations. It’s a hard nut to crack, that’s for sure.
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Oct 9th
2012
10:30 pm
Lily Said:
After drinking upwards of 10 diet cokes a day for over a decade, I finally went cold turkey for good on February 22 of this year (3pm, how sad is it that I remember my last one?!). The first few days are the worst, but it gets better. Sure, I’d still love to have one, but I just tell myself I drank a lifetime’s worth of them already. I was a total addict and I hated how much I needed, truly NEEDED, them. I think a lot of what we read about them is blown out of proportion, but there are enough of us with similar health issues that drink a lot of them, that it makes you wonder. I finally had enough when I learned they line the cans with BPA. As a PCOS sufferer, I don’t need any more hormone disrupters in my body. Good luck. You can do it!
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Oct 9th
2012
10:51 pm
RobynDeHart Said:
Hey, Lily, I have PCOS too! And you’re so right, we definitely don’t need any additional hormone issues. Excellent point.
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Oct 9th
2012
11:38 pm
survivor Said:
Why again do you WANT to quit? If it is working for you -Oh yeah it isnt -so I switched to Diet Rite Cola and it is sooo less scarey and ok some taste is missing but it works with fat free half and half or Crystal Light Lemonade- mixed it up little sister and SHOCK try every other glass of liquid -Plain old Water -you will love it and so will ur body. The first step is admitting there is a problem. I still dream of REAL sugar soda and a cigarette. sigh
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Oct 10th
2012
6:25 am
MJ Said:
I’m addicted, too. I drink less in the summer when I’m home because I keep water chilling in the fridge, but at work, I need my Diet Coke. I bought the caffeine free for evenings because otherwise I can’t sleep, but I love the carbonation and the flavor. I’ve been drinking them for 30 years!
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Oct 10th
2012
8:53 am
Karen H in NC Said:
I don’t know about your diet soda addiction because I’ve never been a huge ‘pop drinker’…I’m from MI and we call it pop. Anyway, I was a smoker for 35 years until July 1994 when I got a prescription for Nicoderm patches from my doctor (back then, they were Rx only and very expensive). Once I slapped the first patch on (7-15-94) I never smoked again. That said, there are times even now, 18 years later, that I still wish I had a cigarette.
So, put one of those square band-aid patches on your arm and drink chilled (& filtered) water. If you must have flavor, try the flavored waters…but be careful, those are not zero calories as plain water is.
You can do it…just walk on by…look the other way. And don’t try that ‘down to just one a day’ routine….at least until you’ve broken your one per hour habit.
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