Once upon a time, I had a soda addiction. My addiction was bad. I would drink at a minimum 4 20-oz. Mt. Dews a day, most times 5, for about 5 years. I don’t think it was the caffeine because I can get caffeine anywhere (coffee, for instance). It could’ve been the sugar, but then again, most ‘experts’ say that sugar isn’t addictive. I don’t know, but what I do know is I loved, loved, loved how it tasted! Then I realized what soda was doing not only to my teeth, but to my entire body. If you drink soda, you know how you feel afterwards. Yeah, you may get a sugar rush, which feels great at the time, and then BAM, you just feel hung over, so then you need another soda to perk up, right? It’s a vicious cycle.
I stopped drinking soda over a year ago now and I cannot tell you what an improvement I saw in my energy levels almost immediately. Within 3 days, my energy was through the roof, and I lost around 5 lbs. the first week alone when I gave it up.
To stop drinking soda, I at first tried weaning. I’m just not the type of person that weaning works for me. When I do something (or not do something), it’s either all or nothing. So I just stopped completely after trying the weaning routine for a couple of days, BUT I needed a healthy alternative. Yes, I love ice water, and I drink water all day long, but sometimes I need a drink that actually has some taste to it.
So if you’re trying to stop drinking soda and need some healthy alternatives, try these:
Green Tea: I love green tea! There are so many benefits to drinking green tea that will have to be another post here, but what I love about it is I can drink it hot or cold and it speeds up my metabolism. Several studies have shown that drinking green tea helps promote weight loss by not only speeding up the metabolism, but suppressing appetite and helping to balance blood sugar.
Real Fruit Juice: I’m not talking about those sugary fruit juices, but 100% real juice either I squeeze myself or use a juicer for. It’s a great way to get in those recommended 5 to 6 servings of fruits and vegetables a day too! I own a Jack LaLane Juicer and I love love love it!!! You can juice anything except bananas!
Milk: I recently tried some iced almond milk. I know that probably sounds gross, but really, it’s great! Soy milk and rice milk are also healthy alternatives to soda.
Water: Yeah, I know, water has no taste, but I flavor my water once in a while with a wedge of lemon or lime or a little lemon juice.
Do you have a healthy alternative to soda? Leave a comment and share it with me!