We all have addictions; the goal is to pick one that is less harmful than others. I am in awe of the diet soda addiction, so I did a little research.
I was especially interested to learn that the recipe for Diet Coke includes extracts from the coca leaf (which, as many know, is used to make cocaine). The leaf is sold to Stepan , the only company in the U.S. that is licensed to purify it for mainstream consumption and create the extract. Besides the more obvious addicting ingredient, caffeine, you have this factor also.
I have seen many clients successfully wean themselves off of diet soda only to find out three months later they are back on. I believe the body stores remnants of the chemicals and these go back into the bloodstream causing the addiction to return.
We all are going to pass on from this body, so why bother giving up something you love? In my line of work, I have observed that clients who drink diet sodas or other energy drinks actually end up adding to their state of stress. They really want to make life changes to increase their vitality, however, they are pulling along this giant weight that keeps their brains a bit foggy. It also causes their energy levels to crash, and there's a slight weight gain every year.
If you would like to decrease the amount of diet soda and energy drinks you consume, here are a few tips to help get you started:
1. Wean off these drinks slowly. That will prevent headaches and not over-stress your body. Plan for a two-week period to begin reducing the amount you drink. Do not go “all or none.” Switch to teas for caffeine such as, green or black.
2. Drink eight ounces of water after every soda or energy drink to rehydrate.
3. Drink eight ounces of coconut water at 3 p.m. to support the natural energy dip.
4. Take 2 Emergen-C’s in six ounces of water every morning to prevent the headache after you have tapered down your consumption.
