The crisp bubbly fizz, sweet taste, and that little caffeine buzz soda gives you can be hard to resist. You know it’s bad for you, but it’s hard to quit something that tastes so good. Well, stop drinking it, plain and simple. Soda is damaging your health and preventing you from losing weight more than you know.
Soda drinkers consume an incredible amount of calories every time they drink a can. These calories aren’t good either, primarily coming from added sugars. Additionally, you don’t get any vitamins, minerals, or good quality carbohydrates from sodas. You’re actually filling your body with chemicals that can lead to tooth decay, diabetes, and poor bone health. And don’t think that you can get away with drinking diet soda, even though they don’t have any calories. Studies actually have shown that diet soda drinkers are more likely to be obese or overweight. The chemicals in these diet sodas are linked to heart disease and depression, in addition to all the other health risks of regular soda.
So how do you stop drinking soda? When you are conditioned to eating, drinking, or doing something every day of your life, it can be hard to break the habit. If you use a few of these tips below, you should be well on your way to getting soda out of your life.
Tip #1: Count Your Calories
Counting calories can be a great way to keep your waistline in check. If you toss back cans of soda like they’re the cure for cancer, you may be surprised at how many calories you actually consume purely from soda. The best way to do this is to download a calorie counter app, unless you feel like writing it down every time you drink a soda. And don’t order sodas when you go out to eat. Those free refills rack up the calories real quick.
Tip #2: Switch to Unsweetened Tea
A lot of people drink soda for caffeine. If you aren’t a coffee drinker, unsweetened green tea or black tea can be great sources of caffeine. If you aren’t a tea purist and need a little extra flavor, try mixing in some fresh lemon juice and a little stevia with your tea to sweeten it. Don’t forget to stay away from artificial sweeteners!
Tip #3: Drink a Glass of Water Instead
When you feel that desire to drink a soda, drink a glass of water instead. Boredom or stress can sometimes cause people to grab whatever is in plain sight, but these are often unhealthy choices. Pour yourself a glass of water instead of cracking open that can of soda. Chances are soda drinkers don’t drink enough water, so drinking water will cut the urge to drink a soda and ensure you are sufficiently hydrated. Flavor your water with fresh lemon juice or other fruit for added flavors and health benefits.
Tip #4: Try Drinking Seltzer Water
Soda drinkers are often addicted to the carbonation. If it is carbonation that you seek, try drinking seltzer water. You can get that bubbly craving without the negatives of soda. Just be sure to avoid the flavored seltzer waters because they have artificial sweeteners, which aren’t conducive to your health. You can also make your own seltzer water if you have a Soda Stream.
Tip #5: Break the Habit
Getting up from the desk at 2pm and heading to the vending machine for a soda may be something you look forward to or are conditioned to every day at work. Without knowing it, you are rewarding yourself as part of your daily routine. You may not even need the soda, but it is a break from work you have grown accustomed to. Rather than going to get that soda, try packing a lunch, walking out of the building for fresh air, or doing a few desk exercises. These are a few options that’ll give you a break from work and help you stop drinking soda.
