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Here's to Your Health:  Kicking the pop habit is so hard !  |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 16 2011 : 08:19:07 AM
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I have a pretty healthy diet for the most part. I eat organic when I can find it.Grind my own wheat and make most things from scratch. But I have been drinking coke all my life. I try to only drink 2 a day because of the calories. I am not able to drink diet drinks because the artifical sweetner makes me sick. The past year I started drinking Jones cola which is made with natural sugar but I know its still bad for me.
I have tried cutting back and staying at 2 but then I start drinking 3 or 4 day.Then I get on a kick and start cutting back again.I know its sounds crazy but I crave pop terribly. The rest of the time I drink ice green tea with stevia in it, some juice and water. I don't know why I can't just be happy with that. I don't know if its the sugar or the caffiene or both that I am addicted to and the carbonation.
So.....I have decided to stop drinking pop.I am down to 1 a day and have had a headache the past 2 days. I hope to stop by the middle of next week. Has anyone every had this problem getting off of pop? I can't believe how hard it is for me to stop. I have been praying that I will be sucessful this time...I don't want there to be a next time. I hate that something like pop has such a hold on me its crazy.
Any help or suggestions would be greaty appreciated.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
Edited by - wooliespinner on Jun 16 2011 08:20:40 AM |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
6584 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
6584 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2011 : 08:35:40 AM
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Hi Linda~ I am trying to break my diet coke habit by orders of my doctor, we simply can not get my blood pressure under control. I am getting to much sodium from the soda, and the processed foods. So, I can cut out the process foods no problem but the diet coke is such a bad habit to kick.
Doctor suggested MIO, which is in the juice section of Walmart, I add a little of it to my water and it gives it a bit of flavor without all the bad stuff. They come in flavors, Peach Tea, Peach Mango, Strawberry, it is wonderful and is really helping me to break the soda habit.
Just a suggestion for you that is really helping me.
Good Luck
Farmgirl Hugs,
Debbie
www.etsy.com/shop/CollectThisTreasures
http://debbielynnf.blogspot.com
http://myworld.ebay.com/debbt |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2011 : 08:42:34 AM
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Oh, Linda! I'm so sorry this is so tough! I know other friends who have had trouble "getting off pop", too. You're already super tiny, but I do know that most friends who've given up sodas lose a lot of weight almost immediately! So there's a positive :) For most folks, I hear them say they love the carbonation--what about seltzer water, or a mineral water with a natural flavored syrup? Also, I don't know if you've seen it, but Canada Dry makes a Green Tea and Ginger Ale that you might "ease" yourself off pop completely with.
I personally can't drink it--it makes me hiccup something awful and upsets my stomach, though I have to have a good Coke with pizza. I might drink a soda month, if that. I wish you luck! I've known folks who just quit cold turkey and have the headaches you do, but within a weeks time, seem to be on the road to recovery. Wishing you the best!
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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DeborahLee
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
Deborah
Starkville
Mississippi
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2011 : 08:51:07 AM
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I'm in my 7th week without pop, mainly Diet Coke! It was difficult---I was drinking a lot of Diet Coke throughout the day. I have not given up caffeine, so I still drink coffee and tea. Since its been so hot, I've been drinking a lot of iced tea (like a good southern farmgirl!) I keep portable bottles ready so I can pick it up as I head out the door for work, just like I used to do with Diet Coke.
I made the switch mainly out of health concerns but I was amazed at how much I have saved (Coke products are very high in MS for some reason.) I've been putting aside my savings--- I just used it to buy a big box of MaryJaneFarm books and back issues of the magazine. I figured it was a fitting use of my savings!
Deborah
Professor, librarian, writer and farmgirl! |
Edited by - DeborahLee on Jun 16 2011 08:53:46 AM |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
6584 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
6584 Posts |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2011 : 09:15:19 AM
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Debbie does that Mio syrup having any artifical sweetners or colors in it? I did buy this stuff called Chrystal Light Pure that is sweetened with stevia and colored with natural colors like carrot extract. They taste pretty good. If the Mio is all natural with no artfical sweetners or colors I may buy some to add to carbonated water. Thanks so much.
Jonni I am not as little as I use to be because of the pop. I am 7 pounds heavier than I use to be all because of the darn pop.When I go to the grocery store I am gonna see about getting some selzer water to add some of the crystal light pure too and maybe the mio syrup. I am bound and determined to quite pop and maybe drop some of these extra pounds or maybe eat more of the stuff I like.
Good for you Deborah !!! Your are probably gonna do fine if you've made it that far. I hope to be able to do the same.There is some caffeine in my green tea. I mix it half regular and half decafinated. Do you buy the tea already bottled or do you make up your own portable bottles? Pop hear unfortunately had been on sale to much. When I switched to Jones natural cola, they are never onsale and they are pricey and they only have 8 to a pack. When I drank coke I could get them onsale for $6 dollars for a 24 pack.No wonder I went hog wild on them.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
6584 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
6584 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2011 : 09:23:37 AM
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Linda, the MIO is a Liquid Water Enhancer it has the following ingredients: Water, Malic Acid, Propylene Glycol, citric acid contains less than 2% of Natural Flovor, sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Sweeteners), Potassium Citrate Polysorbate 60 YELLOW 5, Yellow 6, Red 40 Potassium Sorbate (Perservative) No Artifical Sweetners but does have the colors. So, after reading the ingredients with the colors I am not sure I want to use it. Perhaps I will stick to my tea and plain water.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Debbie
www.etsy.com/shop/CollectThisTreasures
http://debbielynnf.blogspot.com
http://myworld.ebay.com/debbt |
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DeborahLee
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
Deborah
Starkville
Mississippi
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2011 : 09:25:49 AM
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Linda---I make my own, unsweetened. I do "splurge" and get sweet tea when I go out sometimes but I try to make that a rare event---otherwise, I've traded one bad habit (Diet Coke) for another (sugar). I'm glad I did---I've noticed that Coke has introduced a "downsized" product---a one & a half liter instead of a 2 liter bottle. Of course, the price is what the 2 liter sale price used to be! Between what I bought at the grocery store and the cups I would pick up on campus, I really did spend a lot on something that gave me no nutritional benefit in return.
I even made a game of it last fall---I teach a biochemistry research methods class and I gave the students a database exercise: find out how much harm my Diet coke is doing to me! You wouldn't believe the articles that came back that discussed one or more ingredients that have potentially harmful side effects! While I haven't lost any weight from the switch, I do feel better---I'm sleeping better and I've had fewer digestive problems. (Colas are very acidic.) Good luck with the switch.
Deborah
Professor, librarian, writer and farmgirl! |
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Merry
True Blue Farmgirl
765 Posts
Merry
Ankeny
Iowa
USA
765 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2011 : 10:14:49 AM
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I found that if I slowly phase out soda with ice tea, its a "little bit" easier. You still get some caffeine kick, but not as much sugar and certainly less calories. Good luck, its an addiction, it didn't happen overnight and it won't break overnight, but you can do it!!
Merry
Farmgirl #536
http://afarminmyheart.blogspot.com/
Your life is an occasion, rise to it. Mr. Magorium |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2011 : 11:22:19 AM
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Debbie the Crystal light pure uses Stevia to sweeten and natural colors from carrots or rosehips. Its come in Tropical Blend, lemon, and berry. They are really good. I don't use the whole packet in my glass of water because I think its too strong. I just use half and it taste pretty good. I am actually having some right now. I still want to get the carbonated water to put it in. Bummer the Mio has the artficial colors in it......like it really needs it. I wish these companies would get away from that stuff. Next time your at the store look for the "Crystal Light Pure" its really good.There is a little real sugar in these but there is only 15 calories per half packet so its not to bad.Theres 7 packs in each box.
Ingredients list: sugar, citric acid, malic acid, maltodextrin, calcium lactate, truvia(stevia) natural flavors, sodium citrate, carrot and hibiscus blossom extracts for color. Not to bad. Each packets makes 16.9 ounces of water mix.
I was really craving a second pop but broke out the crystal light pure and thats gonna have to do. I have been drinking ice greentea and water most of the day. I had my single pop at 11:00 and thats it for the day. I think I am going to be able to stop pop this time.
Thanks Merry. I have been drinking the green tea but may have to drink it regular instead of decaf until I get off the pop totally.I had a headache yesterday and one today. I can't believe just one less pop a day can cause that.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
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traildancer
True Blue Farmgirl
485 Posts
Loyce
Glide
OR
USA
485 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2011 : 11:40:50 AM
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This won't help you, but it's my story. I used to drink 3-4 44 oz. diet Pepsi's a day. I decided a couple of years ago to quit if God would keep me from getting a headache. It's such an addiction that I make my horse pack in enough bottles for at least one a day! Anyway, God kept His end of the bargain, so I quit. I drank bottled water, fizzy water, bottled tea, fizzy tea (yuck). I missed the bubbles something fierce and also what was I supposed to have in my hand? So after several months I went back. I knew it was an addiction because I started drinking more than I had before I quit. I now have some empathy for those quitting hard addictions.
So, different times I have tried to cut down. Doesn't work. This last time I decided to only drink two a day. I lost 7 pounds. Of course, I started drinking more. I have lost more weight but think it's due to other things. Anyway, I just drink what I want. Sometimes when I feel blue (does anybody say that anymore?) all I can think about is another soda even if I've had a couple already. I guess it's a comfort thing.
Hope this doesn't scare you off. You are doing a good thing. I can't.
The trail is the thing.... Louis L'Amour |
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MEWolf
True Blue Farmgirl
358 Posts
Margaret
Byers
Colorado
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2011 : 4:03:04 PM
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Linda, Have you tried water Kefir instead of pop? It is a fermented beverage made from natural Kefir grains, sugar, and water. The Kefir grains feed on the sugar which gives it a bubbly taste and appearance. And at the end of the fermenting process, most of the sugar is gone, eaten by grains. You can add whatever flavors you like to the second ferment (I like Lemon/Ginger)and it is really good for you too! I crave fizzy drinks, and this was the best and most healthy alternative I could find. I posted about it under the kitchen heading.
Margaret
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
Henry David Thoreau
Farmgirl #3020
www.grey-wolf-farm.com |
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SusanScarlet
True Blue Farmgirl
317 Posts
317 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2011 : 7:58:17 PM
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| Giving up my diet Coke habit was very hard to do. Now, I treat myself to one every now and then when I'm eating out, but do not keep them at home. The water additive discussed above sounded interesting to me so I checked out some of the ingredients. Citric acid, malic acid, maltodextrin, calcium lactate, sodium citrate, sucralose (Splenda) are all corn products. Many people are avoiding all these corn derivatives in their food. Propylene glycol is a biodiesel or petroleum product. |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Jun 20 2011 : 06:12:31 AM
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Margaret I know about the regular kefir but didn't know about the water kefer. Do you use the same grains for the water kefir as you do the milk kefir? I had gotten some kefir grain last year from Kristin but ran out of goat milk to put them in. I tried freezing them but when I thawed them out and tried them they didn't work.
Susan I checked into it also and decided not to go that route either. The only corn I actually will use is corn meal from non gmo corn. I had a hard time finding it but finally did.I know I sometimes end up eating this stuff and don't even realize it. They put it in just about everything. The propylene glycol is not good either. I don't use any shampoo or anything with the stuff. What I don't get is why they put that in a water additive. Its crazy what food companies put in and why. They don't need to put it in and its scary that they want to.
I am still drinking just one Jones cola a day. My headache finally backed off. I figure by this weekend to be totally off completely. I know when I go over for family parties I am gonna have to make sure I bring my own drink. I went to a surprise party for my uncle and all they had was coke, Mt Dew, beer, wine. No water or tea. I drank the water from the tap but their water taste funny.
Loyce I know what you mean. I have quit several times and went back worse than ever. I am gonna try again and hope it sticks this time.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
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RaspberryBee
True Blue Farmgirl
291 Posts
Karen
Montrose
Michigan
USA
291 Posts |
Posted - Jun 20 2011 : 06:52:34 AM
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I have tried time and time again to quit Coke.
I was told when I was very young about that the diet sodas were the worst of the worst of carbonated beverages. I was drinking cases...yes, cases of tab/diet coke A DAY in my 20's. I was sick and my body was not working right. Nobody could figure it out until I was forced to stop eating and drinking for 3 days as I went thru a fasting blood work up - terribly painful. At some point my draw spots were used up and they were getting blood out of the tops of my feet. I was told all the particulars of the contents of diet soda and what each was doing to my body without any water intake...basically it (diet soda) was shutting down my organs very, very slowly. I stopped sodas for 2 months (Dr orders) then I could have 1 regular coke a day. The headaches were horrible and nothing would appease them. That should of been then it, right ...no. 20 years later :-)
I still drink 1 maybe 2 and on a horrible day 3. I have given them up for lent 2 or 3 times and it is amazing how easy it can be. But, I go right back. Coke cures most ills. Makes my tummy feel better, when my asthma is bad it makes things easier and when my throat is itchy the bubbles makes things better. I love the bubbles :-) No other beverage has 'those' kind of bubbles. This is an addiction. I know it. This beverage is bad for me. I know it.
I started drinking more tea and that helps...a lot, but it is not the same. I make Yerba Mate (Tevana blends) in the morning and I get the jolt/energy boost and the day is almost golden...need bubbles :-) Bubbles are bad...mind over matter. mind over matter. No coke today!!! No coke today!!! Say it with me now!!! :-)
But hey, do you have any spare bubbles???
Farmgirl Sister #918
I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.
-Henry David Thoreau- |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
6584 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
6584 Posts |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Jun 20 2011 : 10:58:21 AM
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Debbie that is what I am doing trying to add more good stuff to my diet than I was doing before. I just hope by the end of the week I can say goodbye to the stuff. Did you finally quit the pop altogether or are you still having a little bit still? I hope your bloodpressure comes down.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
6584 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
6584 Posts |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2875 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2875 Posts |
Posted - Jun 20 2011 : 1:01:47 PM
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Linda
Buy some of the Montmorency tart cherry concentrate at Kroger (it is expensive, but goes a long way.)
Add about a tablespoon to seltzer water. Bubbly, tart/sweet & good for you! |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Jun 20 2011 : 2:03:56 PM
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I had my son pick up some La Croix flavored bubbly water. They come in orange, lemon lime, grapefruit, raspberry. They are just carbonated water, natural flavor thats it. I added a few drops of stevia to it and its pretty darn good ! They are about $4.99 a 12 pack but if I only drink one a day thats not to bad.I really like the bubbly water I have to say.I think this will defintely help me the most.My favorite is the orange and raspberry.
Lisa I need to find that stuff. The only thing about buying the seltzer water is they come in 1 littre bottles. Once I open it up to drink some and reseal its always flat the next day. They just don't seem to hold their fizz. But I could add the stuff to the La Croix water and make it taste even better.
Debbie sounds like you are do'in great so far. The blood preasure takes a little while to respond. But if you are eating more fruits and veggies this too will help with the blood pressure. You have not been off it long enough to quite see the results yet but you will. Hugs.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2011 : 4:34:22 PM
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Well its been 2 days since I have had a pop. Its been kinda hard but have been handling it pretty well. Did get a headache yesterday but today I am fine. I hope I can keep this up. I have been drinking cola for about 30 years I will be amazed it I can pull this off.
I did get the setzer water and am drinking the La Croix water with stevia which helps alot. I love the carbonation so maybe that will keep me on track. Maybe I will get lucky and coke will make a stevia cola that I can drink. That would be so cool. One of these soda companies is bound to try it eventually. I wish they would get on it.
Debbie how it coming your way? Hope its all good and things even out blood pressure wise.
take care.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
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MEWolf
True Blue Farmgirl
358 Posts
Margaret
Byers
Colorado
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2011 : 07:40:45 AM
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Linda,
You will need to get water Kefir grains. However you can make homemade Ginger Ale, Blueberry, and Rhubarb sodas with Whey and fresh Ginger...check here for recipes and grains: http://www.culturesforhealth.com/five-ways-to-eat-more-cultured-foods
I have Ginger Ale "makin" on the counter right now. I find Water Kefir and the Lacto-fermented sodas really fill my need for carbonated beverages. They are delicious and made with all natural ingredients.
I know what you are going through, it is not easy to do, keep up the good work!
Margaret
“Kind hearts are the gardens, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the flowers, kind deeds are the fruits. Take care of your garden and keep out the weeds, fill it with sunshine, kind words and kind deeds.” ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1808-1882)
Farmgirl #3020
www.grey-wolf-farm.com |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2011 : 09:19:07 AM
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Thanks Margaret for the info. I will definately check the website out today. I really would like to try the water kefir grains.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
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Brandy Patricia
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
Brandy
Sarasota
Florida
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2011 : 10:42:38 AM
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Hey Linda,
I didn't see anyone that mentioned an at-home soda maker. If you're concerned with the affects of the ingredients in the beverage (caffiene, sugars, artificial sweeteners, etc...) why not control what you put into your own beverage? You can still get the fizziness of the carbonation but for sweetness just add a natural sweetener like stevia and for flavor, good old no-sugar added fruit juice. The contraptions sell for around 100 bucks but if you really have to quell soda cravings it is worth the investment.
I kicked my soda habit a few years ago, but for my fizz fix I started drinking kombucha tea, which is naturally carbonated. However, recently the formula for commercially produced kombucha was changed and thus has lost a significant amount of it's fizziness, but I'm well weaned off of soda by now, so now I'm just upset my kombucha isn't as bubbly.
Hope this helps and good luck.
--Brandy Patricia |
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Sobyn
True Blue Farmgirl
752 Posts
Sabrina
Kansas
USA
752 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2011 : 3:55:11 PM
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Kombucha helped me get off soda and I also second the water Kefir suggestion, both have a soda-like texture but different tastes (and different choices for flavorings). Nourishing Traditions has some recipes for homemade sodas like the ginger ale etc. It IS hard to get off soda, they ARE addicting (its the bad stuff in them that is addicting!). Been there, done that. Good luck!! :) (btw both Kombucha and Kefir have health benefits so drinking them not only replaces soda but may help you feel better overall and is good for you!)
Farmgirl Sister #3275 |
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2011 : 08:52:39 AM
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Getting off soda is SO hard! Once I kicked it I've felt so much better now though so it is totally worth it! Plus I have noticed that it's easier to quit soda if you don't go out to eat at all. The first month is the hardest but after that it gets easier. I remember when I quit. Oh man the headache and lethargy was horrible but then my body recovered from the damage the soda was doing and now I get lethargic if I drink soda!
Since I quit soda just before I got pregnant I had a really hard time because I liked the carbonation to help ease morning sickness. So I found Reed's Premium Ginger Ale and I don't have a problem drinking that at all!!! I splurge every once in a while. Oh, and the main reason I quit soda was because of the corn syrup. They sneak in corn syrup in random things like chocolate milk sometimes so if you want a treat look and make sure, I found if I had a different product with corn syrup in it then I actually craved soda but once I thought further about how it makes me feel after drinking it, I kept it on the shelf :)
It's tough work for sure. I made my own iced tea (in the summer I like green tea sweetened with a touch of honey and if you add fresh berries to it, oh it's heavenly!) I wish you the best of luck and once you quit for a while and then your body can be normal again, oh it's wonderful!!!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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Here's to Your Health: Kicking the pop habit is so hard ! |
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Kicking the pop habit is so hard !
