How to Stop Drinking Soda For Good (Without Going Crazy)

Why Should You Stop Drinking Soda?

Sodas have been linked to several health issues in studies, and it’s also a pretty expensive habit to keep up!

The 1st reason to stop drinking soda would be the amount of calories!

Not only are they high in calories, but the calories come from sugar!

The American Heart Association says the maximum amount of sugar per day a woman should have is 6 teaspoons, and men should only have a maximum of 9 teaspoons  per day. One can of soda is more than 9 teaspoons!

Soda can also be bad for your bones, teeth, and even heart. 

Here are a few more startlingly health stats:

People drinking 1 to 2 cans a day or more have a 26% greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people who rarely have sugary drinks.^[source]

One study found men having just 1 soda a day had a 20% higher risk of having a heart attack or dying from a heart attack.^[source] Another study found women to have a similar link too!^[source]

What about Diet Soda?

If you’re like me, you may have switched to diet soda. While diet soda doesn’t have the calories or sugar in it, they also have been linked to healthy issues.

Along with the bone issues mentioned above, diet soda still has been connected to heart disease and depression in women. 

Along with these issues, there aren’t any health benefits of consuming artificial sweeteners that I know of.

13 Hacks on How to Stop Drinking Soda

Giving up soda creates a mental and physical challenge, but these 15 tips can help you stop drinking it for good!

1. Think About What You’re Drinking

I shared a few of the possible health concerns and amount of sugar in soda above to remind you what is in those bubbles.

Think about how many sodas you drink per week, and then calculate how many calories and how much sugar that is! This can create a sticker-shock affect to help you steer clear – or at least think twice – before grabbing a soda.

2. Consider Exercising Off All Those Calories

Johns Hopkins University did a study where stores put out signs letting consumers know that it would take walking 5 miles to burn off a 20-once bottle of soda, and sales dropped. Is one soda worth 5 miles? source

3. Set a Goal

Setting a goal and writing it down somewhere you’ll see it each day can help you summon your willpower!

4. Stop Drinking Soda Slowly

There is no reason you have to go cold turkey. We love the idea of balance in every part of our life and don’t do well with drastic changes.

So it could be that you don’t allow sodas in the house, or you start with having 1 per day or 1 per week to start.

Another idea is to switch to caffeine-free soda. Since caffeine itself is addictive, consider first switching to caffeine-free soda for 2 weeks.

This can help with the mindset piece because you get to keep the habit while your body withdrawals from the caffeine.

5. Set a Plan

Just because you are going slow doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a plan. Set a goal to cut back and have a plan to do it each and every day.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Adjust The Plan

As you get more and more used to drinking less soda continue to limit the amount you drink until you no longer have it anymore (or only as a special occasion).

7. Create No-Soda Areas

Drinking soda has a lot to do with our habits. If you can set up No-Soda Areas, you’ll remind yourself of your goal to stop drinking them.

Some examples of a No-Soda Area would be at home, at work, in the car, before dinner, or at the movies.

8. Start a New Habit

While we’re talking about habits, why not create a new healthy habit to replace your soda ritual?

Instead of reaching for a soda for breakfast, try out a new organic coffee or tea. Instead of an afternoon caffeine fix, go for a walk instead.

9. Get Your Energy in Other Ways

So…you may feel kind of crummy the 1st week you give up soda, but there are ways to limit the side effects.

By staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, working out and getting 7-9 hours a sleep a night can help boost your energy and feel better while giving up soda.

10. Hold Yourself Accountable

Sometimes self will-power isn’t enough. It can be really helpful to tell your family, friends, and co-workers your goal and plan to ditch soda.

11. Be Patient

If you’ve been drinking soda for years, it can be hard for your taste buds to adjust. Give it time.

As you get used to not drinking soda, you’ll likely find it doesn’t even taste as good to you anymore.

12. It’s never completely off the table.

If you find you still really love a soda on a special occasion or with a certain food, it’s okay (in my opinion anyways) to have it as a treat here and there.

13. Find Something Else You Like

Use this time to find another type of drink you enjoy! You can still enjoy fizzy and flavored beverages; just check the label before guzzling it now.

What to Drink Instead of Soda

Giving up soda allows you to gain a bunch of new drinks that you’re sure to love! Here are some of our favorite soda alternatives!

• Herbal Tea
• Green Tea
• Sparkling Water (LaCroix, Waterloo, bubbly)
• Kombucha (in moderation)
• Fruit Infused Water
• Coconut Water (in moderation)
• Coffee (iced or hot – no sugar or creamer)
• Nuun mix-ins