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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask if anyone here has beaten a diet soft drink addiction?

184 replies

whothehellknows · 04/12/2014 20:26

Although I gave up when breastfeeding both of my children, I've somehow landed myself (again) with a full-on Diet Coke habit. I drink at least a liter each day and I'd be seriously distressed if I ran out. I'm sure I'll have at least a week's worth of headaches when I quit.

I know it costs a fortune. I know it's not good for me. But somehow it keeps creeping back in, and I honestly find it harder than I did to give up smoking.

So has anybody else kicked a diet drink habit? How did you do it, and do you actually feel better for it?

OP posts:

SenatusPopulusqueRomanorum · 04/12/2014 20:31

I went cold turkey, but I used to drink the decaf version, so I didn't have the caffeine withdrawal problem. I drink sparkling water and black decaffeinated coffee now.

I still haven't beaten the food / sugar addiction though.

WipsGlitter · 04/12/2014 20:32

Yes I did. At the end of 2012 I stopped. I was on about five cans a day. It was pure habit. I found the withdrawal ok. But I struggle with finding something else I like to drink. I still have the odd fizzy drink (San Pelegrino or fizzy water) but it's not the same. I still occasionally really, really want a can but have resisted so far. I don't feel better for it and I didn't lose any weight.

Honeydragon · 04/12/2014 20:36

I stopped successfully in 2009, got right through all the crappy headaches and cravings.

I found it more difficult that quitting smoking!

I drank lots of fizzy squash instead.

It was worth it though. I lost half a stone, my under eye bags, and chapped lips.

I genuinely looked so much better after about two months cold turkey.

shelfontheelf · 04/12/2014 20:38

Yep. Went on a low carb diet and cut it out cold turkey. Used to have at least two cans a day, can't drink it at all now.

I have replaced it with a coffee addiction though...

FindoGask · 04/12/2014 20:45

I don't understand - what's addictive about it? I'm not judging, I've got an addictive personality myself and can't break lots of habits I should, but I don't get what's the compulsive thing about diet coke. It's not even sweet! Is it the caffeine?

MillionToOneChances · 04/12/2014 20:48

Yes, I went cold turkey years and years ago. Stopped dead after 5+ cans a day and felt rough for a couple of weeks. I broke the ibuprofen withdrawal-headache-cycle at the same time, which no doubt made it worse.

DoubleValiumLattePlease · 04/12/2014 20:50

I believe it's the aspartame Findo - if that's what they still use? I don't know. I've beaten a couple of nasty addictions - the less said about which the better! - this is one that I haven't had but I've heard of it and it can be nasty. My SIL's father died of bladder cancer which was attributed to his 12 can a day habit. Might be true, might not but certainly enough to make one think twice!

Original poster

whothehellknows · 04/12/2014 20:52

It might be the caffeine, but when I've stopped before and substituted with coffee, I still got the headaches.

Maybe it's the fizziness?

OP posts:

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/12/2014 20:54

I no longer drink Diet Coke after having at least a can a day and the rest for years. I now have green and peppermint tea.

Can you cut down?

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/12/2014 20:55

Fizzy water?

bedraggledmumoftwo · 04/12/2014 20:59

Ive started drinking tea by the gallon instead since it got cold, and my "coke habit" was at least a litre a day. Plus just got over food poisoning and it doesn't appeal yet. I am sure it will creep up again at some point as it is syn free in slimming world. Couldn't believe how many calories are in the proper stuff!

bedraggledmumoftwo · 04/12/2014 20:59

2minsofyourtime · 04/12/2014 21:00

Oh op I here you! The stuff is lethal. I also drink a whole bottle a day. and panic when there is none left.

Much much harder than giving up smoking. I tried to have a rule that I could only have a coke every other drink, it didn't work for long.

Original poster

whothehellknows · 04/12/2014 21:01

I'm sure I could cut down. The problem is that if I'm not drinking something with fizz, I tend to forget to drink anything at all. I make myself cups of tea of or coffee, and I end up finding them cold after a couple of hours because I've forgotten to finish them.

Maybe a soda stream? Are those still unhealthy?

OP posts:

SpringBreaker · 04/12/2014 21:01

Its the aspartame, which is evil.

Buy a soda stream, and make loads of different drinks yourself using fresh fruit juice and fizzy water. Much more healthy.

LadyFairfaxSake · 04/12/2014 21:03

I am Pepsi Max's bitch. One day Max'll get what's coming to him, maybe next week who knows?
Giving up is easy, I've done it loads of times...

ZenNudist · 04/12/2014 21:06

I drink too much aspartamine. We have 'special R' squash (not for the dc!) and I treat myself to a glass of diet lemonade. I swear it makes you feel more thirsty.

Do I need to quit? I drink peppermint tea by the gallon and no caffeine at all.

Mmmicecream · 04/12/2014 21:07

Let's start a support group and all try and cut it out together!!

I drink about 3 - 4 cans a day of Coke Zero and just can't kick the habit.

Original poster

whothehellknows · 04/12/2014 21:08

Honeydragon, it's funny you mention the chapped lips. I have them all year round and never connected it with the drinks.

OP posts:

daffodilsinspringtime · 04/12/2014 21:09

I drink around 2 2 litre bottles a day, plus smaller bottles on top.

raltheraffe · 04/12/2014 21:09

Posted this thread on 27/11/14

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/a2245997-Probably-me-who-is-being-unreasonable-or-could-be-DH

Wrote that 3 days into a caffeine detox. I have a past history of drug addiction and got clean of all the drugs and alcohol 4 years ago. However when mum died I started on the Pepsi Max and Monster Zero (diet energy drink).

I was on 5 litres a day.

As you can tell from the post I was irritable as hell when I first went cold turkey. One week later I am not fully through the withdrawals but 95% better. Sleeping well. Not ramming my trolley into the exit automatic door repeatedly at Morrissons asking why they have shut the shop but the lights are on (the other Salfordian shoppers stood outside found this hilarious). Can drive safely now.

Best way is to cold turkey but have a tiny bit of caffeine if your withdrawals are too bad.

As a recovering drug addict I can remember quitting the other stuff 4 years back. It has been worse for me than quitting alcohol or cannabis. However I have got off the evil Pepsi and I am really proud of myself.

GraysAnalogy · 04/12/2014 21:09

I did it. I drank so so much and didn't realise it was an issue until my friends pointed it out.

What I did was get a brita filter thing and made sure it was always full in the fridge, add lemon or other fruits to it. Then I'd drink that instead. Was cold and refreshing, didn't have the fizz but it helped loads.

whereismagic · 04/12/2014 21:13

The only thing that works is going cold turkey. I just can't be trusted around refined carbohydrates and anything with sugar. It's like crack to me and personally I think there should be AA meetings for sugar addicts. It's very difficult to beat.

whereismagic · 04/12/2014 21:14

Try putting a couple of mint leaves in the jug with water.

DuchessofBuffonia · 04/12/2014 21:14

In a similar way to Ral, my DH had worse withdrawal from quitting Pepsi Max than he had from stopping alcohol. He was in bed for 3 days shaking and sweating, followed by a further fortnight feeling rough. He hasn't touched it since. Aspartame is vile stuff.

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