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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
SocialMediaAddict · 04/12/2014 21:16

Replaced it with lime and fizzy water. I used to drink 6 cans a day. Haven't had any for 15 years.

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/12/2014 21:17

Fizzy water isn't fab but lots better than Diet Cole. Soda Stream is awesome if you can ignore that they are having some PR issues with being an Israeli-owned company operating in the West Bank. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SodaStream#Israeli_settlement_in_occupied_West_Bank

raltheraffe · 04/12/2014 21:18

My pdoc recommended cutting down gradually so I tried that, but the number of cans a day kept creeping up again. Just could not do it that way at all.

I cold turkey-ed it but when things were really bad I had a swig from one of DH's cans of Monster. Just a mouthful of DH's drink, he grabbed it back off me after that, tut tutting me (in a jokey way).

If you cold turkey it I recommend your last drink on Sunday night/Monday morning. This means by the weekend you will not feel too bad and will enjoy the weekend break.

raltheraffe · 04/12/2014 21:21

DH thinks that the Pepsi Max had a far greater negative impact on my MH than the historic cannabis and alcohol misuse. I cannot assess it as MH is subjective.

The withdrawals were worse too.

Original poster
whothehellknows · 04/12/2014 21:24

That is some seriously sobering reading!

I have a couple of plastic jugs with taps that I bought for the kids. I may chuck some water and fruit in one and try the "Infused Water" thing that I keep seeing on Pinterest.

OP posts:
Honeydragon · 04/12/2014 21:38

I substituted with coffee too, but still got horrendous headaches.

ILiveOnABuildsite · 04/12/2014 21:54

Yes I did but only because in this pregnancy I had terrible morning sickness and couldn't even bear the smell of it. I had a few sips and threw them up almost immediately, it ruined it for me. I was gutted at first but quite pleased with it now.

DejaVuAllOverAgain · 04/12/2014 21:56

I drink coke and pepsi, diet and ordinary, and far too much of it. I could do with quitting myself. I've only tried fizzy water once and it just felt like a load of bubbles in my mouth. I quite like soda water with some orange in so I could try that instead or even just plain water. I don't have chapped lips but they do feel dry quite often.

SistersOfPercy · 04/12/2014 22:02

I'm addicted to vanilla coke. I'm allergic to aspartame so can't drink diet versions.
I'm down to 2 cans a day now. I'm not overweight and my teeth and gums are healthy so I'm not too worried about it.

I did try and kick it with a soda stream, lasted about a week before I was back to coke. Came to the conclusion as I don't drink, don't smoke and am pretty healthy otherwise I could live with that one vice.

Umbongolongo · 04/12/2014 22:16

Yes!
Although mine was for a slightly different reason than the caffeine. I was undergoing investigations for IBS/Crohns and was gluten free for nearly a year but still getting symptoms. I went on holiday for a week and was almost miraculously better. I was even eating bread rolls with my breakfast by the end of the week!
As soon as I got home, got off the plane, into the house, first thing that passes my lips is a big glass of Robinsons sugar free squash.
Within about 20 minutes I had cramps, diarrohea and just couldn't understand it. Then it clicked. It was the aspartame. When I'd been on holiday, id had 7up, full fat coke, and orangina. Not diet drinks.
Since I've cut out aspartame ive been back to normal, no cramps, nothing. Occasionally I forget to look at packets (chewing gum anyone?!) and end up doubled over. But it was the diet squash and diet coke I used to drink loads of that set me off! Can you try cutting down, or using a smaller glass to drink from?
I found if I drink from a sports bottle, I drink more water. For some reason I don't like drinking out of an open glass if it's been left on the side. Try filling a sports bottle with water and lime/lemon wedges. I stick mine in the freezer for an hour or so, and keep some in the fridge, as I only like it really cold!!

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 04/12/2014 22:18

I stopped drinking diet coke for 6 weeks, just to prove I could.

ThereIsACarInTheKitchen · 04/12/2014 22:19

I used to have this problem. It wasn't just diet drinks for me though, it was pretty much any kind of fizzy drinks. I stupidly thought that switching to fizzy water would work...tbf it did in that I don't really drink pop any more but now I drink sparkling water non stop instead Blush. Surely that can't be bad for me though, right? Confused

Mulligrubs · 04/12/2014 22:28

I have this exact problem OP. It's like a compulsion or addiction for sure. If I didn't drink my diet pop during the day I wouldn't drink anything and I'm embarrassed by that Blush just writing that down sounds insane - I am disgusted at myself that I'd rather dehydrate myself than drink something other than pop.

I've been working on it though, for a short time, and now during or after meals I will only have water. At least a pint. I've cut down to maybe 2 glasses of pop a day and a pint of water but I'm not sure if going cold turkey would help better Confused I try and have a small glass of milk in the morning as well.

Sparklingbrook · 04/12/2014 22:36

Ooh I love Diet Pepsi. But I have to not have it in the house. Now I drink lemon or blackcurrant squash with ice, and I have largely forgotten about Pepsi, at home anyway.

manicinsomniac · 04/12/2014 22:37

I'm in the process. I've done a month cold turkey and am now allowing myself one as a special treat or in a pub /restaurant as long as I don't buy it to keep it in the house.

I had my first can at the weekend and it was divine!

Generally though, after the first few days of hell (headaches, irritability, nausea, tiredness and dizziness) I've been very happy with water, coconut water and sparkling water.

I was on 5/6 cans a day.

NewEraNewMindset · 04/12/2014 22:50

This is very scary reading! I don't drink those drinks but I do recall in my twenties having to have a PepsiMax on the way home from work each day and really craving it. I can totally see how it becomes addictive, particularly when they are just out the fridge and you are thirsty.

We drink lime cordial and fizzy water in the house and it is so refreshing. Would definitely recommend, keep the water in the fridge. I think the Tesco version uses sweeteners but Roses uses sugar.

Original poster
whothehellknows · 04/12/2014 22:52

I do like coconut water. I'll try that. I'm going to have a go, starting in the morning.

OP posts:
EsmeGruntFuttock · 04/12/2014 22:57

Interesting thread. I drink too much DC too. I don't drink tea or coffee and only have a glass of wine about every 2 to 3 weeks. I do drink about 2 litres of water per day though and home juice veg (with a little fruit).

But I just get so bored of water. What are alternatives when out for lunch or dinner? I don't like fizzy water. Appletize not too bad?

Hot chocolate is the only hot drink I do drink, and I usually have one a week with bells and whistles.

Shockingly I've probably not gone a day without DC for 30 years. I can't actually believe that.

I've just done my online supermarket shop for delivery tomorrow and have removed the dreaded DC.

Thing is, it is just a habit. I rarely actually enjoy it. I do like one if out in a nice glass with ice.

I'm going to try to quit, then just have one if I'm out etc.

Mmmicecream · 04/12/2014 23:08

I don't drink any other caffeine so what would the rest of you advise - hitting the aspartame addiction first or the caffeine one?

Ie replacing my coke zero with other fizzy drinks, or cups of tea?

I feel much better knowing I'm not alone. Even if I could cut back to 2 cans a day I'd be happy.

manicinsomniac · 04/12/2014 23:13

Best of luck, whothehellknows . You can do it!

Mmmmicecream - I think the aspartame is probably the more harmful issue. People don't seem to get so worried about people who drink too much tea.

Original poster
whothehellknows · 04/12/2014 23:16

When I was breastfeeding, I drank sugar free lemonade and I don't remember feeling withdrawal. (Mind you, with a newborn, I was probably too busy noticing all the other after effects of labour and delivery!)

I'm going to keep the tea and coffee (since I don't have a lot anyway) and ditch the aspartame.

For those who have already cut it out, does anybody notice any positive effects? Am I just going to be torturing myself because it might be bad for me, and because I don't like the idea of being addicted to anything?

OP posts:
EsmeGruntFuttock · 04/12/2014 23:21

Are other diet drinks less harmful and full of crap than diet cola? Say, diet lemonade? (Or is it just cos it's clear it seems less harmful...!).

overslept · 04/12/2014 23:21

I've never drank pepsi/coke etc as I really dislike sweet food and drinks. I'm just so shocked by what you are all saying, it seems so... innocent, compared to alcohol/cigarettes/drugs. How on earth do they get away with selling it without some sort of warning?! It must be awful for your body but then I wouldn't think twice about a friend drinking lots of coke but would probably be concerned if it was alcohol Confused. I'm on day 4 of not smoking so from here I can't imagine anything worse Grin!

GingerLemonTea · 04/12/2014 23:24

Totally addicted here too! Also always have chapped lips. Wonder if I'm permanently slightly dehydrated due to the caffeine.
Drink up to 2L a day. Have quit in the past for months.
Thought I could then have one can a day, back to a full on habit.
That's it, you've inspired me. Cold turkey from tomorrow!
My skin definitely looked better last time & it helps break my diet coke & chocolate bar habit.

Original poster
whothehellknows · 04/12/2014 23:27

overslept-- well done, you're past the worst bit. I just remember eating shed loads of apples and carrots when I gave up smoking, and it seemed to help. Even now, when stress builds up I grab a bag of carrots.

OP posts: