How To Quit Soda
I quit drinking soda cold turkey on January 26th. It has almost been two months since I started and I thought I would give you folks some pointers on how to become carbonation and caffeine free.
Firstly, decide why you’re doing this. Do you want to get off caffeine? Is it the carbonation? Is it just the sugar? If it’s just the caffeine, then there are tons of alternatives. The same is true for people who want to limit the carbonation or cut their sugar intake. Whatever your reasons for restricting these items are up to you, but it helps to know what your goals are.
Secondly, choose substitutes. If caffeine is the item you want to limit, you can choose other sodas such as Sprite and Root Beer. If sugar is the problem, you can choose from a wide variety of diet sodas. If carbonation is what you’re trying to avoid, there are tons of flavored waters and juices to choose from. When I was quitting, I was avoiding all of the above and I wanted to limit my intake of artificial sweeteners, so I just stuck with water and herbal tea.
The next step is preparation. If you are going off caffeine, you’re going to have caffeine withdrawals and you won’t have much to turn to. I had headaches for four days in a row and no pain reliever that I took relieved any pain. What you are going to need is time. Expect to be a little under the weather for a week. Treat it like a flu or a cold. When you are tired, sleep. Give yourself permission to sleep twelve hours if you need it. You’ve been hopped up on sugar and caffeine for so long that your body is going to need to remember what it’s like to be awake naturally.
One thing that helped me was a rice bed buddy. I bought this one at a craft mall, but you can make one yourself. I’ve also seen them sold at Walgreen’s drug stores made into various shapes like booties, eye masks and shoulder covers. Mine is a simple piece of fabric sewn into a rectangle. Inside it is dry rice: simple. I just put it into the microwave for two minutes, wrap a towel around it (it will be very hot when it comes out) and lie down with it over my face. It smells a little like rice and it’s warm on my aching head and temples. It helped me go to sleep when I had the caffeine withdrawal headaches.
The next step is to listen to your cravings. I found myself craving pop when I was thirsty. I didn’t realize I was thirsty, I just thought that I wanted a Diet Coke. I drank about a gallon of water a day the first week. I don’t know if I had been dehydrated and my body was catching up on the water it needed or if I just used the water as a crutch to get past that first week. Either way, listen to your body.
Finally, remember that this too will pass. Some have reported caffeine withdrawals for weeks, others are able to get past the worst of it in a few days. No matter how long it takes for you, remember, there is an end to it. There must be some reason you decided to go off pop in the first place, concentrate on those benefits and know that the negative effects will wear off. Be patient with yourself.
How to Quit Soda Quicklist
1. Decide why you are doing this.
2. Find appropriate substitutes.
3. Be prepared by giving yourself extra time for sleep.
4. Stock up on remedies and substitutes.
5. Listen to your cravings.
6. Be patient with yourself.
Remember, this advice is never more useful than the advice of your doctor. Please contact your doctor if you plan on doing anything drastic with yourself. I haven’t noticed any drastic effects of being off caffeine, carbonation and artificial sweeteners except that water is far less expensive than Diet Coke. Good Luck!
It’s a great story, I’m getting off soft drinks myself and writing an essay in college about doing it and this was great! And very helpful.
Comment by Michelle Cole — 4/6/2004 @ 11:11 pm
I really was interested in your story. I have been off soda for 5 days now and your right, nothing helps the headaches. But, this too shall pass. I will try a rice buddy, sounds soothing. Thank you for your suggestions. Its nice to know someone else has been through this and lived to write about it. Kathy
Comment by Kathy — 4/9/2004 @ 1:53 pm
Great job on this! Some of the same principles could be applied to just about any addiction.
Comment by Sandra — 4/15/2004 @ 11:57 am
I’ve decided to give up soda based on a recommendation by a nutritionist. She wants me to cut carbonation from my diet. But I love Pepsi. I started the cleansing this week, but I miss my soda. I’m researching an article on carbonation and health for Backwash.com and came across your journal. Even though I’m looking for facts, it was reassuring to find someone else whos gone through the detox!
Comment by Cat — 1/3/2005 @ 4:29 pm
Thanks for the pick me up on quitting soft drinks. I have been trying for a few years without much success. After reading your story, I decided to go all out and work hard at it.
Thanks for putting this out to people so they can be helped by your experience.
Denis
Comment by Denis — 1/27/2005 @ 9:33 am
I gave up drinking diet sodas and my head is pounding, my eyes are swollen. Thank you for your advice. this is normal!!!!!
Comment by Kathy — 2/18/2005 @ 11:51 am
i too recently gave up soda. i cant even explain the pain i am feeling. i haven’t been as strong as i should be, i have drank 2 sodas this week and i know i am just extending my misery. i’m glad i found this post because i didn’t know withdrawls were normal i was about to go to the emergency room.
Comment by Brad — 3/3/2005 @ 4:40 pm
i used to drink 14litres of coke-a-cola a day,now thats 14 litres a week.i wasnt actually aware that there would be any side affects to giving up a pop drink,i mean after all ,its just a drink right?. i hadnt drunk coke-a-cola for about a day when the most horrendous headache i had ever known happened.i just thought i was sick,i mean it came with sweats,nasuea,dizziness and a sleepiness like i had never known.i was taken to the emergency room and checked out,but they found nothing wrong,gave me some strong meds and said i’d be fine in a few days but i wasnt,i got worse.it felt like there was someone crushing my brain all day everyday.i never thought for one minute that drinking the coke and stopping it could have any bearing on my symptoms. and then i realised as i took my third lot of pain killers for the day,i hadnt had a drink of the fizzy stuff for 4 days,only water.i thought to myself,i must have been ill if i wasnt drinking it,but it made me think ,that there may be something more to this than co-incidence.for as long as ive been drinking it,ive had serious problems with my stomach,im even under the pain team specialst department at the hospital for it.there has never been a medical reason found for my stomach pain,and i had cut out all the foods you could think that upset a stomach,except my love for this fizzy drink.after the last 5 days events,i think it could be withdrawals,i just cant believe it.
Comment by dot — 3/29/2005 @ 6:01 pm
I recently went off caffeine again. This time, I weaned myself off it using Excedrin. Every morning, when the headache came, I took 2 Excedrin. In a couple of days, I tried 1 Excedrin and that worked. After a couple more days, I took 1/2 of an Excedrin and then finally I was cutting the pills into fourths.
It took about a week, but I was spared the horrible headaches. Any of you that want to try that, it might help you through this time.
Comment by Laura Moncur — 3/30/2005 @ 6:07 am
I’m quitting again – it is worth the pain!
Comment by Ethan — 4/27/2005 @ 1:15 pm
I drink a ton of Diet Coke (caffeine free at home) . I think the Nutra Sweet is worse than the caffeine and carbonation and that is why I want to give it up. I did a few years ago for a few months, drank unsweetened ice tea instead. I was OK, then one day I just decided to try a soda and then resumed my heavy soda habit again. I believe that Nutra Sweet causes all kinds of diseases (some evidence of brain disease) and could be responsible for all of the Alzheimers nowadays…… but I LOVE a soda with a meal, I feel it almost “dissolves” the food in my mouth and it is hard for me to have a meal without it! I have also heard that soda (even diet) is fattening and I’ve heard that it keeps you from getting fat- oh, the confusion……….what to do? And is getting sooo expensive now that they dont sell the 2 litre bottles (in New York)
Comment by jackie — 5/13/2005 @ 11:23 am
I am at day one!! I have drank about 5-10 sodas a day for the last year. I currently weigh 235 lbs. I want to lose about 50 lbs. I used to work out 5 days a week, weighed about 190 lbs and have 15% Body fat. My BMI is now over 33%. I am quiting soda today to live a healthier, happier life and to be able to do the things i could only a couple years ago. My name is Dayton King and I am a Mountain Dew aholic. I have been “sober” for 20 hours. I am 26 years old and live in upstate NY. Please feel free to share inspirational comments, stories, and experiences.
Comment by Dayton King — 5/16/2005 @ 1:55 pm
I just gave up diet soda after drinking it for years. I was drinking about 8-9 cans a day. I gave it up two days ago becuase I was feeling so tied all the time and my doctor couldnt find anything wrong with me. So after doing research i feel that my fatigue is due to all the diet soda I drink. Its been two days and I am experiencing headaches and I am still tired but hopefully this will pass and I wil have energy once again
Comment by robin — 5/26/2005 @ 8:18 pm
I just quit soda 2 days ago due to being diagnised with an Ulcer. The pain is total hell:( Whats even worse is I can’t take any meds to help relieve the pain due to my ulcer. Im on day 2 so I’m hoping this passes soon and in the end it will make a great improvment on my life:)
Comment by Jason — 6/16/2005 @ 6:36 pm
July 12, 2005
I am giving up soda. I have been a soda drinker for 20 years started in my early 20’s. I don’t like coffee, tea, etc. So soda is my only vice. I am trying to quit to loss weight and now after reading this article I am adding for health reasons also. i had a terrible headache last night and was told it may be caffine or sugar withdrawal. I drank a coke to see if it help my symptoms and it did. I am glad I found this article now I know truly that coke is my headache problems. I now know I will suffer the headaches and know the reason. I was truly afraid I was having migranes again. Now I know it is headaches.
Comment by Jackie — 7/12/2005 @ 5:37 am
I love Dr. Pepper, but I havent had one in 12 days. All I have had is water (with lemon juice) and I broke down over the weekend and had two classes of tea with Nutrasweet and then I had a sprit the next day. I am trying to lose weight and I have taken up running and I know that the Dr. Pepper’s are slowing me down and causing my breathing to be bad when trying to run so I think that is my modivation behind quiting. My symptoms have been a little different. I had a small headache the first couple of days but not bad but my biggest problem is beig depressed. I’m cranky and moody and I feel like my body is going in very slow drive. Even in running last week without my usual Dr. Pepper’s I can tell my body is so slow. I hope this passes soon. Good luck to all!!
Comment by Trish — 8/29/2005 @ 9:15 am
I really need to give caffeine up for health reasons, and it’s not going to be easy. I need all the support I can get. I was wondering if anyone who has been off of caffeine for at least over a month, can tell me whether or not quiting caffeine has given them more rejuvinated energy in the morning and during the day or not? Thank-you guys, keep up the good work, and good luck!
Comment by Shelly — 9/16/2005 @ 3:02 am
I have been without Mountain Dew for 11 days, I am trying to lose about 20 lbs. I am 5 8′ and 160 lbs. but, weighed myself today and have lost 4 1/2 lbs. already, I am having some mean headaches, and have never had a headache in my whole life, and did not know anything about caffeine withdrawals, so after a week I went to the Optometrist and had my eyes checked (way passed due anyways) and he said that it could just be the caffiene withdrawals and to take Excedrin but that also my prescription had changed so I got new contacts and glasses just to be sure. I tasted my boyfriends MD the other day just to see if it would be any different and it just tasted like pure sugar and I didnt enjoy my usual MD and cigarette either like I used to I thought if I would have one glass that it make make my head feel better but, nope I have had flu-like symptoms and been really tired lately, but just waiting for that all to pass and hopefully see some good results, Good Luck to all!
Comment by Jen — 10/6/2005 @ 3:15 pm
I have been without soda for a grand total of 17 hours and am already experiencing a headache. I’m wondering if part of the problem is just “in my head”? (no pun intended) I mean, I know I’m going to have withdrawal symptoms, but this soon? Anyway, I’m quitting caffeine and cutting out sweets because I really need more energy. I have become dependent on caffeine and sugar to keep me going. So, it’s time to change. Best of luck to all of you and I hope I can do this! Thanks for the inspiring post!
Comment by Jennifer — 11/1/2005 @ 3:05 pm
I can’t believe it, I fianally found a website that takes caffeine aholics seriously, I want to quit so bad, I think Mt. Dew over takes my life sometimes, it sounds silly, caffeine is so accepted and everyone drinks it or has it in some form. I have tried quitting before, I got the headaches and withdrawl, but everywhere I go I get it for free, it’s so hard to say no when it’s just handed to you, plus I love the taste of Mt. Dew, I don’t really like coffee or tea or even many other kinds of pop. I also have stomache issues, so I don’t know if I should take meds like Excedrin. Well, I just wanted to say it’s encouraging to see that other people have been able to do it and still be alive. Please, keep posting info everyone.
Comment by Kate — 11/1/2005 @ 4:25 pm
totally inspired by the stories. have been addicted for 3 years now drinking 5-6 bottles a day. have to stop because it’s so expensive, and will one day kill me. can’t believe how hard it is to quit! thanks for the advice!!
Comment by angie — 11/19/2005 @ 10:01 pm
Okay this is my first day and I want to quit caffiene! My last taste of the stuff was about 9:00 pm last night. I have stocked my frig with bottled water. Like those before me I drank probably a six pack of Diet Pepsi a day (and that’s on the low end). I know there are going to be killer headaches. I have the next four days off from work and am hoping I can get through the worst of it before I have to go back to work. The other day on the news they said Diet Pop is worse for you than regular pop. They now say it can cause heart attacks and strokes! I am in my 50’s and that is pretty scary to hear! I am about 5′ 7″ and I weigh over 200 lbs. I have been going on line to see if there is any product to help get through the withdrawls but haven’t had any luck so far other than Excedrin. I would appreciate it to hear from others how they got through it and maybe words of support from others who have been through what I am going through now. 2006 I want to be Caffeine Free! Happy Holidays. Thanks for listening.
Comment by Maddy — 11/28/2005 @ 4:04 pm
Thanks to all of you other people who are inspiring me to quit drinking soda.I too love pepsi and drink about 10-12 a day whether its just habit or my body craves it,Im not sure but I have been reading alot about how much it dehydrates the body and have noticed my eyes being sunken which is one of the signs.Pretty ironic that drinking alot of it actually dehydrates you and makes you want more.Well I wonder what Im going to spend all my money on that I use to buy soda with,lol.Good luck to everyone who wants to live healthier!
Comment by John — 12/9/2005 @ 11:57 am
I am Mike and I am a popaholic I have been off the DP (diet pepsi) for 5 days now. I also have been having flu like symptoms and a nasty headache. I also feel apathetic and depressed. I am hoping for the headaches to subside soon. I have been drinking DP for probably 15 years. Probably enough if I had invested in Pepsi stock instead of the soda can I would be a rich man. I had a 120 ounce a day habit. A good friend of mine reminded me other than in the beverage industry caffine is used to kill insects. Have you ever noticed that diet pop really doesn’t taste that good, but you feel like you have to have it anyway? Does anyone know how long this headache could last? I think we should all get together and form an investment group with the money we save not drinking it. As for me, I believe that diet pop is addictive. I don’t think it will help you loose weight, it is probably to the contrary. The habbit was costing me almost 3 dollars a day. Over a grand a year. If I stay off it I think I’ll buy a big screen next year for my family for christmas.
Comment by mike — 12/15/2005 @ 7:46 am
I am addicted to any soda. I really enjoy pepsi, dr. pepper, and a local favorite here in Ky called Ale81. (you can see it’s logo on the shirt of Orlando Bloom in the movie Elizabethtown) I drink on an average of 8 sodas a day. I have most of my life. Being that I am 34 years old, I believe that it is time that I quit. I mean, it is rediculous to let a ‘drink’ control your life. In the morning, first thing I do?-drink a soda. Before I go to sleep?-drink a soda. And Heaven forbid I should run out, I freak. I immediately have to go to the store and stock up. I envy those people that carry around water bottles and drink it like it is the best stuff and look at me in disgust as I slurp my pepsi! I really am not fond of just water. I know that sounds crazy. Maybe lemon will help. Well, thanks everyone for the supportive words and I wish everyone luck. Much love to all!
Comment by andi — 1/4/2006 @ 7:20 pm
I was addicted to diet coke. It took a good month before the withdrawl symptoms subsided. I had so much anxiety going through the quitting process that I thought I was going to jump out of my skin. Now, I can’t believe how much better I feel, mentally and physically. The caffeine, i think, was interfering with my sleep and the aspartame was making me depressed.
Comment by Babette — 1/9/2006 @ 8:21 am
I have tried quitting sodas before and the soda beat me! Today is my second day without soda and I am thrilled. I haven’t yet gotten a headache to bad to cope with, but I do feel the urge for that burn when the soda goes down. I have totally made up my mind though. I am THROUGH with them. I was drinking about 5-7 cans of soda a day, and I felt so icky all of the time. I know this is only my second day of nothing but water, but so far I FEEL BETTER!! I feel so clean. I just wanted to say thanks for the encouragement. Hopefully I won’t get head aches to badly. I AM SO EXCITED about this!
Comment by Shannon C. — 1/12/2006 @ 11:27 am
Well i have been off soda for 2 days. I didn’t know that quitting caffeine would be this bad, but I am sticking to it!! I feel as if I am taking the flu or something. My legs hurt, I stay tired and sleepy even when i have had 10 hrs of sleep! I am also depressed too….I am sticking to my guns though, and kicking this…Wish me luck!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Ann — 1/16/2006 @ 11:28 am
On New Years Eve I had given up soda. I was drinking about a half a 2 liter per day for the past 16 years. Now all I drink is Juicy Juice that has been watered down, water, and tea. I only had soda three times since I decided to do this. I have noticed that my skin and hair is much softer and I no longer have bags under my eyes. I want to give up the tea too. I’m just not ready to do that yet. Maybe in the Spring when its not so cold. Best of luck to all of you who are trying to kick the habit. God Bless.
Comment by Andrea — 1/28/2006 @ 12:22 am
Very interesting! I am thinking about giving up soda starting TODAY. I have noticed it is starting to give me stomach pains. I have been drinking Coke (regular), about 6-8 cans a day. I’m so bad, I open a can to take my medicine sometimes. I don’t eat much, and I am definitely sure this is part of my weight problem. I am going to try. We’ll see what happens. Good luck to everyone else.
Comment by treva — 1/29/2006 @ 8:46 am
I am also a MT Dew Aholic- I tried diet pop and I keep going back to mt dew and drink it as if it were water. I get such horrible headaches when I try to go off it. Is there anything at all that will kill the pain. I am going to try again Starting now.
Comment by Jennifer — 2/13/2006 @ 7:02 am
oooh – the pain… My head hurts and I am grumpy. I warned everyone I know to avoid me today and tomorrow. =) And let’s just say that my one year old gets to watch lots of tv both days…
I really appreciate this website; I feel more encouraged now. Today is the first day; I have made my decision to give up my 2-3 diet mountain dews a day.
I am so excited to be pop and cafeine free.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Comment by Karin — 2/13/2006 @ 9:31 pm
hi just stumbled across this site. i think its fate ive drank regular pepsi since i was 6yrs old bad i know im 26 now on around 6 to7 cans a day ive always had migraines n stomach problems .ive finally decided to quit this poison although not soon enough ive lost alot of teeth thanks 2 pepsi yet i still drink it (not any more)havent come across anything like this in manchester britain where i live .hope everyones being strong good luck.n thanx for this site n info
Comment by emily — 2/15/2006 @ 8:18 pm
I am finding it hard to give up soda (coke), now I just switched to Coke Zero thinking maybe it might help, but I know I must give it up all together! I’ve been reading how you have horrible headaches & have flu like symptoms, I really don’t want to go through that, but I guess I’ll have to deal!
I have soda in the morning & at least 3 or 4 during the day & maybe one at night, I use to be a lot worse a few years back, I have cut down soda a lot in the evening, found it hard to sleep & was edgy & was in the bathroom every 10-15 minutes, very annoying when you are trying to go to sleep!! I try drinking flavored water, but again I am in the bathroom!
I want to join Curves to lose this gut I have, I am only 36 yrs & can’t fit into any of my clothes anymore, I have gained at least 15 lbs, maybe more due to the soda.
I wish everyone luck who is trying or at least thinking about it, Wish me Luck!! Let’s fight this, we all know it’ll benefit us in the end!!
Comment by Jennifer — 2/16/2006 @ 6:46 pm
It is so nice to read all the posts. I feel a kinship and it is comforting to know others are going through what I am. I have been diet coke free for three days now. The headaches aren’t too bad. I knew I would stop, so I lowered my intake to 2-3 20 oz. bottles a day before quitting totally. I don’t know if this was the reason for mild headaches or not. What I was unprepared for is my lack of energy, apathy, and depression, and swelling. I could just cry, and I have three times today, knowing I cannot drink anymore diet cokes. I am not a crying sort of person. I never cry and it is shocking to realize you are crying just because you want a soda? That is crazy. I was hoping to find out how long it will be until I feel normal again. I could not even get my wedding ring off as my hands are quite swollen. When will it all stop? When will I have more energy? When will I feel normal?
Comment by Donna — 3/4/2006 @ 3:43 pm
Hi all. I stumbled across this forum of sorts browsing the web for reasons that carbonation and caffiene are bad for you. Instead i find posts from several people quiting. I myself use to drink 7-10 cans of Mt Dew a day. I joined the Marines 7 years ago and got out about 2 years ago. While i was in the Marines i was in fabulous shape as one could imagine. I was cut and weighed about 175. At my peak i could run 12 and a half miles. Then i got married about 5 years ago. My eating habits changed as well as my work outs. Thats when the Mt Dew drinking started. I put on some weight which i attribute to poor eating, soda, and lack of exercise.
Anywho about 3 weeks ago i found out my wife was cheating on me. Its easy to say i was on the verge of doing some very stupid things in anger. I instead started running and working out again. I incorporated a healthy diet which was to include cutting out caffiene and carbonation because i’ve read in the past its bad for you. I dont know why, i just took it on faith.
So 3 weeks i decided to give it all up. After trying to quit drinking Mt Dew before i know very well the head aches you get. I knew it wasnt going to be pleasent. But i approached it like i would any sort of addiction. You started gradually, so you should end it gradually. Albiet a bit faster than you started. I quit in one week and this is how, with minimal headaches.
1) drink lots of water….it will be bland and not satisfy your taste…but its good for you none the less
2) a head ache WILL come…expect it and prepare…you will NOT need medication or pain killers
3) since you KNOW head aches are coming make sure you have you caffinated beverage of choice with you….just 1 can/bottle/glass
4) when you feel a headache coming drink a small portion of your drink……
5) by the end of the first day ….you will have survived the worst of it….your body has now begun to adjust to much smaller caffiene portions….you drank just enuff to keep the head aches at bay but too little to feed the addiction
6) day 2….give your self half the serving as the day before…..that half serving will have to last you all day…altho the head aches are easily dealt with but feeding it in small doses….
7) day 3…..this should be the end….half the serving as day 2……you shouldnt need it…but just in case….
8 ) day 4…..you are free…..
i broke 17 years of soda addiction in 4 days using the above method…….granted it took a life altering change of divorce to gain the motivation, but it is that easy
i no longer crave the any soda at all…and its only been 3 weeks….i actually had a sprite the other day due to the vending machine at work only having soda….and it was literally nasty to me….tasted like nasty sugary syrup…..
anywho i’ve lost 7 lbs in 2 weeks so far due to exercise and good diet minus caffiene and carbonation….and my run is back up from 1.5 miles to 4.5 and climbing
i plan to lose 30 lbs in 4 months….
anywho i hope the way i did it works….i’ve never felt better….good luck
p.s. ignore my constant use of ellipses <….> and poor spelling….i’ve spent entirely too much time in the past on game forums that have little use for grammar and like caffiene…it will be a hard habit to break
Comment by Craig — 3/19/2006 @ 8:58 pm
Hi everyone i’ve been off of soda for 2 days now and recently i’m starting to feel the headaches. I have been drinking soda all my life and i don’t plan on cutting my life short due to this addiction. It started off with a goal in mind of giving up soda for a month but i want to give it up for life. I know it deterates my health and drinking it doesn’t make me happy anymore just tired and low energy all the time. Thanks for this website it really inspired me to fullfill my goal and quit this addiction
Comment by Alyssa Rivera — 4/14/2006 @ 10:48 am
two summers ago I stopped drinking cokes (that’s southern for any carbonated drink) due to stress and an ulcer and I lost 20 pounds. No exercise….no other diet changes…..just no cokes. I got over the ulcer and the stress factor changed and I started drinking my beloved Pepsi again. I am now back up the 20 pounds plus 5. I know if I quit I will lose weight again. it’s just that I only already just drink one coke a day. So I will give up my Pepsi again and change to Sierra Mist and finally just phase it out completely. Water is so much better for us anyway.
Comment by Libby — 4/25/2006 @ 7:53 pm
I love mountain dew!!! I dont like anything other than Mountain dew. I have an average of about 7 cans a day. Other than that I eat healthy, and I work out every other day or so. My problem is mountain dew. I dont like the diet mountain dew at all and refuse to drink it. If it were not for mountain dew, I wouldn’t drink soda. Well today is my first day of not drinking it; no headaches or anything crazy yet. I am about 15 pounds overweight right now and I am positive that it is from the extra 1000 calories a day I have from mt dew. I seriously never thought that anyone could be addicted to soda, but I am. Not much of a point to this but I just thought I would share. Mt Dew is BAD! but so good!
Comment by A — 5/8/2006 @ 1:50 pm
I am 15 years old and deciding to quit drinking sodas because of new research which links it to an increased risk of osteoporosis. I drink about 2 litres of coke a day and find myself stealing my mother’s money just to buy more coke. I am so glad I found this website where so many people have the same problems as me. I am going to stop drinking tommorow. Thankyou all so much.
Comment by Jack — 5/22/2006 @ 3:09 pm
Hi, I am a pepsiholic and i have been drinking Pepsi for over 30 years and a few years ago when I tried to stop, I got deathly ill and had to start drinking it again. I was so sick I couldn’t even get up. I had a runny nose my body ached so bad I couldn’t stand it I had a headache that felt like my head was going to explode and a high fever. I have tried cold turkey and I have tried weaning myself off it and nothing seems to work. I am also a smoker and trying to quit caffine is worse than trying to quit smoking, of course I haven’t mastered either yet. After looking through this site, I have decided I am not alone and if you all can do this, so can I. Funny thing is, when I told my doctor about what happened to me when tried to cut out the caffine, he told me, don’t even try it and he left it at that. I am so glad I found this site, now I have a mission. Thanks for all the advice and best of luck to all who are trying and bless all you who have already mastered it!!!
Comment by Shelley — 8/10/2006 @ 10:17 pm
I quit drinking all sodas back in June of 2006 2 months ago. I am 32 yeras old and weighed 195lbs and now I weigh 178lbs. Ive lost 17lbs in 2 months by strictly drinking only water and coffee. I have not had one sip of any soda (I do sometimes eat cereal with 2% milk). I used to wear a size 36 and now I have had to change all of my clothes to a size 33-34 waste. I used to drink at least one coke a day and 3 when I would go out to eat which is quite often ( You wont beleive how much monry you save over time by just ordering water!). I dont work out. I feel better about myself already by just loosing 17 lbs. Now if I can just motivate myself to take up jogging, Im sure I could loose at least another 10lbs. If I can do it you can too. The coffee makes up for the caffeine loss so I dont get the headaches. Good Luck to all!
Comment by Dave — 8/23/2006 @ 8:07 pm
I have now been 6 months soda free.
Comment by heather — 9/26/2006 @ 8:55 am
I quit cola 4 days ago. Drank 2 liters for over 25 years. Haven’t had the headaches that some talk about but I’m so tired all I want to do is sleep. I know I will achieve my goal but it will take time. I have read all your stories and they are quit inspriational thanks much. Have any on you been taking lexapro. I was recently put on this and wonder if any affects about quiting pop and on the drug. Sorry about the spelling of things.
good luck to all
Comment by rk — 1/4/2007 @ 7:44 am
I am 21 years old, and I drank 2-3 liters a day of Diet Pepsi and it started to hurt to chew some foods. My dentist says I have tooth erosion, so I am quitting. It has been 2 days. I wish everyone luck!
Comment by LL — 1/26/2007 @ 10:55 pm
Oh and I also haven’t any headaches but I do feel tired all the time.
Comment by LL — 1/26/2007 @ 10:57 pm
I have been off mountain dew for about a week now. the head ache is still here but not as bad.. i was drinking about a 12 pack a day. i am having a pepsi in the morning and one at night. but it was bad i was having panick attacks at night and scared after those that i wounldnt wake up. i still have a fluttering feeling in my chest. and i am tired all the time and i am more irritated then ever befor. i have high cloresterol.< didnt spell that right sorry> plus i have recently gotten a pain in my left wrist and i am not liking this at all. but i was wondering if anyone else was having there problems???? caroline
Comment by caroline — 2/12/2007 @ 10:12 pm
I’ve been off caffeine, carbonated beverages, and all types of sodas for 12 years. Living without soda (and not even craving it) can be done. Keep at it! ^_^
Comment by Kelly — 2/19/2007 @ 9:04 am
hey im a 17 year old girl that is crazy about pepsi i will have at least 3 to 4 cans a day and if i dont have one i will go crazy so im hoping this will help me a lot…
Comment by Jenn — 4/19/2007 @ 8:08 pm
Trust me you can do it. I am a recovering Mountain Dewaholic. I would drink a 2 liter of Dew a day and never would you catch me drinking water. I was def addicted to sodas. Anyway it was a long story on how i came to quit but eventually i did. Soon after the weight begin to drop. In less than a year i lost 50 pounds. Unfortunately i got a job where i sat down all day and gained it all back. :( But for that year at least i got to see the pride of what sticking to the water thing got me. And now i find sodas are way to sweet and even though i still crave mountain dew when im tired or stressed, i dont need it to function anymore. Once in a while i may take a sip just for the memory but thats it. So if your trying to kick the soda habit, u can but it will def take some will power. In hindsight i wish i would have gradually stepped down. DRink some juices or something with flavor. Now since i only drink water everything else would be a step up for me.
Comment by Rebecca — 5/1/2007 @ 5:51 pm
The longest I’ve ever given up soda was for like, almost two weeks. I can’t do it. It’s not the caffeine or sugar I’m addicted to…I don’t know what it is. Soda is the only thing that soothes my stomach when it’s upset or sour. I don’t know what to do.
Comment by Meesha — 9/16/2007 @ 2:59 pm
I NEED TO QUIT MOUNTAIN DEW…I HAVE TRIED 2 OR 3 TIMES THE LAST YEAR….ONCE COLD TURKEY, AND SEVERE HEADACHES….THE OTHER TIME 1 OR 2 A WEEK FOR A COUPLE WEEKS THEN 1 WEEK ONLY 1 A DAY, THEN AFTER THAT OFF TOTALLY….SEVERE HEADACHES….I HAVE TRIED A COUPLE WAYS, ANY IDEAS???
Comment by MIKE — 1/14/2008 @ 4:10 pm
Believe it or not, the caffeine and sugar are not the worst things in a soda. The really nasty stuff, and what I think causes most of the lousy withdrawal symptoms, is high fructose corn syrup.
I submit as evidence to support this the following facts: I can down all the coffee and tea in the world and still suffer the same, which suggests that caffeine is not the culprit. I can add all the sugar I want to the tea and sip on something like Jone’s sodas (no corn syrup, sweetened with pure cane sugar) and still suffer, which suggests it is not the sugar.
I have found, however, that drinking massive amounts of water and sucking down a decent amount of caffeine helps with the aches some, but not the fatigue.
Comment by WithdrawalBoy — 1/21/2008 @ 4:23 pm
I am now on day 5 of kicking my 20 year (2+liter a day) pepsi addiction. What motivated me was……my weight has been steadily creeping up and on Saturday I stepped on the scale and for the first time in my life it said 200lbs. That was it…….no more pepsi. I have been drinking a ton of water…..the colder the better, I love to drink it with lots of ice. My best piece of advice………..DON’T EVER think you can have “just one” that is what made me fail every other time I tried to quit. Good Luck everyone
Comment by Tara — 6/18/2009 @ 8:42 am
I’ve finally decided I’m going to have to kick the Dew. I’ve been getting serious burning stomach pain when drinking Mtn Dew, and I fear I have stomach ulcers. I drink a ridiculous amount. I think I can do it. I kicked cigarettes a month ago, and I feel if I quit them I can quit about anything.
Comment by John — 6/22/2009 @ 6:03 am
I go through a 24 pack of Mt. Dew by myself each week. I’ve had a several UTI’s and this one I didn’t even know I had a UTI, the infection had gone up so far up my side and to my back that the pain had me unable to walk. I’m really picky about soda, there isn’t much that I like. I will probably go to juice or find a tea that I like. Drinking lots of water now because of my meds, but I think juice and water will be the best thing for me.
Comment by Anna — 10/22/2009 @ 12:30 pm
I quit drinking Mt Dew 1 month ago. I feel better and my stomach pains are almost gone for good. (Had a history of NASTY stomach issues). I feel like I have lost a little weight, but my clothes are still as tight as ever…LOL. I am 5’6 and 205lbs and was hoping that I would notice the difference by now in my weight as a motivation to keep on going. I don’t know – I guess I am bummed about it. I replaced my precious Mt Dew with slightly sweetened tea….ARG!! I am so frustrated. Thanks for listening….
-Jill
Comment by Jill — 10/26/2009 @ 10:33 am
I’ve quit soda so many times. lol This is probably #205. I’m just disgusted with myself this time around. I quit Diet Pepsi last month because I didn’t want to have artificial sweeteners anymore (read the history of aspartame!). I went through the hellish withdrawals in about a week. Then I was soda free for about a week. This is where I decided to be an idiot. I thought, “ohhh… one regular pepsi a day won’t hurt me.” lol slaps head I swear I’m an addict when it comes to the stuff. I GAINED 10 lbs in 3 weeks! So, here I am now, with a headache, ditching regular Pepsi, hopefully, for good. I notice the withdrawals are not nearly as bad as it was with aspartame. Aspartame headaches got so bad I’d sit on the floor of the bathroom with the lights out wondering when I’ll stop vomiting. shivers
Comment by steph — 12/13/2009 @ 9:33 pm
what a relief to see other Mt Dew junkies! I swear to my family and friends that there’s something in it that they don’t tell us- it’s the first thing i think about in the morning. I will be quitting as of NOW and it’s nice to know I won’t be the only one doing this! I’m also happy it’s important others. Nobody here understands why it matters so much to me…
Comment by Val — 3/3/2010 @ 11:41 pm
I have resolved to accept the withdrawl symptoms and focus on the future of my health and appearance. As a rootbeer addict, I use it as a reward for coping with stressful moments. My daily rootbeer is still with me in the form of fat around my middle. I ran a half-marathon six months ago, but even as a runner, I can’t run hard enough or far enough to keep the rootbeer from turning into fat on my body. I can grab the fat and call it rootbeer. I know that’s where it came from: a drink sucked up through a straw, iced cold, and stinging my mouth if I don’t swallow it fast enough. I am overworking my body and adding a 50% increased risk for pancreatic cancer just by chooing soda over water. Why should I let those companies make money off of me? Why should I pay them to give them control and damage my health?! They should pay ME to drink this horrendous syrup. Drive thru? You suck! I have wasted enough precious minutes of my life sitting in a line of cars, waiting for some bubbly toxic brew on ice to be handed out the window to me in exchange for my good looks and well being. No deal, suckers! Keep your drink! Take it back, and while you’re at it, take back this fat! I am drinking water now. And no matter how tired I feel, no matter how cheap it is, no matter how stressed I get, I will refuse to let down my boundary to let that into my hands. Drop it! Run in the the opposite direction– because there is a real reason to run, and it’s because you deserve the best in life, so just choose to love yourself, not soda.
Comment by vicki — 9/15/2011 @ 2:55 pm