Anyone want to join me in ditching Pepsi Max or similar?

[KenzoBaby]

For over 20 years now, I've been drinking at least 2 litres a day, every day. It's bad for my teeth and costs way too much! I sort of suspect it is making it harder to lose weight too. I've tried a number of times to quit but it has never stuck. Given it's a new decade, however, I want to do this for real.

I had my last one about 11.30pm on 31 Dec 2019. Since then, I've had the dreaded headache from hell but it seems to have passed. Feel tired and grumpy but that might just be because of the time of year and also ditching the junk food.

I don't drink tea, coffee or alcohol. So for me now, it's simply:

• fizzy water (keep some bottles in car boot)
• no added sugar squash
• chilled tap water with lemon (I have bought a carafe to keep in the fridge)
• possibly flavoured fizzy water if I get desperate.

Anyone with me?

Me, me, me!! Drink way too much zero sugar fizzy stuff. It definitely makes me crave rubbish food too.

What artificial sweeteners are used in 'no added sugar' squash?

Omg you must be my kindred spirit? What else have we got in common?! I love the stuff. Get rage if dh only buys 4 bottles in the weekly shop. Tried to give it up when I was pregnant and really struggled. It's like I can drink a gallon of squash but still be thirsty if I don't have a glass of Pepsi max

Also a Pepsi max addict here. I've tried to give it up so many times but haven't been able to. I prefer cans and can easily drink 6-10 a day. I always have 2lts at home as well

Welcome aboard!

Yes, there are artificial sweetners in no added squash. But I reckon it's like vaping when trying to quit smoking (one of the few vices to which I have never sucuumbed!)

Feelinglost - totally! I have given up my attempts to quit previously because nothing else seems to quench my thirst apart from some sort of diet fizzy drink. I'm hoping that if I just keep drinking enough of the healthier alternatives, that that feeling will just go away eventually.

Me too. But fizzy water is disgusting.

It's awful. I don't drink tea or coffee either so I've always told myself it's ok. I've just had a missed miscarriage at 9 weeks as well so it has crossed my mind that the caffeine might be to blame

I'm so sorry feelinglost. I've never been pregnant so I don't know but I'd be pretty surprised if the caffeine caused a miscarriage. Plenty of people wouldn't know they are pregnant that early.

I need to do this. Don't drink quite as much as 2l a day but still too much Pepsi Max or Diet Dr Pepper. I'm trying to just cut down gradually but perhaps need to go cold Turkey. I don't drink alcohol or tea or coffee so it's my vice

I found this article www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080121080402.htm

Me too. I've given up for weeks at a time as well but always gone back to it. Most annoying thing for me was that I sleep really badly (out like a light but wake up constantly - not thirsty or needing the loo, I just wake up and I go back to sleep easily but constant broken sleep). I thought giving up would cure the problem but it did nothing, absolutely nothing at all. I like other cold drinks, water, juice etc but nothing replaces the Pepsi Max or Diet Coke. I've never drunk tea or coffee and only occasionally drink alcohol.

Feelinglost - the NHS says there were some issues with that study if it's the same one - www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/caffeine-link-to-miscarriage/

I don't suppose you will ever know but try, if you can, not to blame yourself. No-one can have a perfect lifestyle, pregnant or not.

Amazing to see how many of us there are already!
Indeed, one of my other resolutions is to go to bed on time but I look forward to taking this journey (vomit!) with you guys!

Probably not the reason. Very true about not the perfect lifestyle. Did my best, no alcohol. Don't smoke, took my prenatals.
You do just wonder what the heck is in it for it to be so addictive though

I was completely addicted to diet coke but have now not had any for almost a year. I downloaded an app called HabitBull where you can set up habits you want to make. It's really satisfying clicking each date to say you've done it and once I had a streak of a few days I didn't want to break it.

The other thing is I think it really has to be all or nothing. Reducing diet coke only worked for a short time and it would build back up. I've just admitted to myself now that it's off the table. Definitely makes it easier as it's black and white. Deciding to reduce just means you have to figure out what to do every time temptation arises.

I am so addicted to Pepsi max (particularly the cherry one).

At my worst I was drinking 6ltrs a day but now I'm down to about 2-3 Ltrs.

I need to give it up. It's stripping the enamel from my teeth and costs a bomb.

I get horrific headaches when I cut down though.

I did it last February. I was drinking 2 litres a day!!! Now I have maybe one ever two weeks.

Good luck. Once the headaches have gone you won't look back!