Hello, My Name Is Naomi and I'm a recovering Pepsi addict. Yes, I know the title of this article says Diet Coke. Up until 2014 more people, for years, actually were drinking Diet Coke more than Pepsi! The soda struggle is real and it doesn't matter if it is Pepsi, Coke or the supposedly healthier diet version.
It's been a few months since I've had more than just a sip of my favorite cola and I still reminisce about the smell and the sound of it sizzle. I even can still enjoy the memory of the way that first initial gulp tastes, and the oxymoron of the cool and burning feeling I felt simultaneously as it rolled down my throat. Man do I miss it!
According to the American Psychiatric Association, a key sign of substance dependence ("addiction") is when a person continues to use a substance even when he or she knows it's causing physical or mental health problems. When I look back at how addicted I had become to it, it is actually a bit scary that I had to get my fix, even knowing how harmful it was.
My love of Pepsi began at a young age because my mother actually loved Pepsi, too and often kept it in the house. It wasn't until college that I truly became an addict! I had this one job that kept chilled Pepsi (for free might I add) in the community fridge daily. This was the turning point for me. I would binge on that free soda. Some days I would take a few cans home with me so that I could continue to enjoy it even after work.My addiction had gotten so bad that, though I hated Coke, if I couldn't find a Pepsi I would settle on a few sips (sometimes the whole can) of a cola I didn't even really enjoy. When I would go to restaurants and they only had Coke products, I would ask for Coke with a splash of grenadine ( If you haven't tried it it's quite yummy). Nevertheless, it was clear that I had a problem. And we all have our vices right? I didn't enjoy coffee, but I truly looked forward to my cola.
As I began to mature and put my health at a higher priority in my life, I began to realize that I needed to kick this bad habit. At one point, I caught every cold I came in contact with and I just knew that my sugar high I was ingesting every other hour wasn't helping. This is when I knew it was time to call it quits. In doing so I felt lighter...literally. I am not sure if there is any scientific study behind that, but deleting the Pepsi in my life made a huge difference. I felt more active, less sluggish and my skin cleared up dramatically (no more pesky bumps!).
And if you didn't know the health risks of drinking cola, here are just a few:
- According to a study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine the ingestion of cola daily is linked with a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- According to a study done at the University of Minnesota drinking cola leads to a 36% increased risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
- A case study published in the journal General Dentistry compared the mouths of a cocaine-user, a methamphetamine-user, and a habitual diet-soda drinker, and found the same level of tooth erosion in each of them.
Here's How I Kicked The Habit:
1. You have to believe it's bad for you.
I can't tell you how many Youtube videos I have seen of cola being poured on eroded car batteries, and just people saying that is going to kill you. I still wanted my Pepsi. I think it takes doing your own research and truly being convinced on your own to want to make a change. If will power is all you have to get you past the addiction, then you cannot afford to be doubtful.
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2. Don’t try to quit cold turkey.
I tried to give up my Pepsi so many times it isn’t funny. I soon realized that cold turkey may not be the best method. I simply tried to slow down my intake one week at a time. Instead of 4 cans a day I tried 2, and then quickly went to only a few times a week. Another thing that worked well was substituting my desire for Pepsi with sparkling water. The bubbles served to trick my mind! The gradual slowing of consumption will wean you off and eventually you won’t desire it as much.
3. Find a new, healthier habit.
At some point, not exactly sure how much time had elapsed, I began seeing how many times I could fill and empty my water bottle. It was somewhat of a game for me, but it also kept my stomach full and my appetite to drink anything else at an all time low. Be careful though, too much of even water isn’t good!
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