It’s one of the hardest habits to break. Soda pop is oh so delicious and sweet, but also full of empty calories, added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and caffeine. And how could I leave out how expensive the addictive habit can get! There are so many reasons out there to quit drinking soda pop, but how hard is ditching it really? Well, it’s not easy so when you’re ready to take the plunge, remember these tips.
Determine the WHY. You need a reason. Something you can hold on to when you’re feeling the sugar and caffeine withdrawal. Write it down, make a note of it, tape it to your mirror or set it as your phone’s lock screen… whatever it is, remember it and hold on to it.
Identify the habit cycle. Typically this type of addiction starts from a habit. Determine when you usually head to the vending machine for a cold Coke. Is it after or before a work meeting? Is it to give you an afternoon jolt? Or is it after a rough day at work? You don’t have to quit cold turkey (unless you think that’s best for you), instead replace your afternoon pick-me-up with another kind of treat.
Track your progress. Keeping track of where you’ve come from and where you’re going will help you stay focused with your end-goal in mind. How much did you drink yesterday? The day before? Today? Compare and contrast, identify patterns and make a plan.
Substitute with water. Or juice or juice spritzers. Find a substitute that helps kick the craving and stick to it. Water is the healthiest choice and usually the most accessible.
Keep substitutes on hand at all times. Soda pop is available almost anywhere, making the temptation to give in strong. Keep your favorite substitute on hand at all times to avoid giving in.
If moderation doesn’t work, try quitting cold turkey. And if that doesn’t work… Try Dr. Oz’s 28-Day Challenge. Some people do best drinking soda pop in moderation and others do best quitting it cold turkey. If neither of these work for you, try out the Dr. Oz challenge. In one month, you may have kicked your soda pop addiction.
- Week one: Switch from regular soda to diet soda. This will curb the sugar craving. Eat eggs, beans, and fish to help.
- Week two: Switch from diet soda to caffeine-free diet soda to kick your caffeine fix to the curb. You’ll experience withdrawal symptoms here, so take ibuprofin for headaches.
- Week three: Cut your soda pop intake in half.
- Final week: No more soda pop. They say it takes 21 days to make a habit, don’t they?
Once you’ve been able to kick the habit, never go back to your old ways. It’s okay to treat yourself to your favorite soda pop, but only on occasion. If you find yourself feeling those terrible addiction cravings, it’s time to start over again.
Do you need help kicking your craving? Call our office at 801-724-9840 to see if one of our award-winning doctors can help.