Two of the most popular search terms that direct people to my blog are “Diet Coke addiction” and “Diet Coke Stomachache.” Unlike some of the funnier search terms that lead readers my way, Diet Coke addiction (and stomachache) is something that I’ve actually written about and struggled with.
It’s been five months since I gave up Diet Coke. For full disclosure, I’ve probably had two during that time – one because I was really tired at a family function but wanted to stay awake and the second was in a mixed drink. But aside from those times, I have not had any soda at all, Diet Coke or otherwise.
I have a really sensitive stomach. Unfortunately, “My stomach hurts” is part of my day-to-day vocabulary. Artificial sweeteners and carbonation to do a number on me, in partiuclar. And what is Diet Coke? Carbonated artificial sweetener.
Despite my awful stomachaches, I continued to drink it. This is how I knew that I had a problem. It was really hurting my stomach, yet I couldn’t stop. One day, when the pain was especially bad, I said enough is enough and quit cold turkey. That was back in May and, aside from the two times that I mentioned, that was the end.
It’s been hard. I feel so silly saying that. This is soda, not hard drugs! But it’s true. Diet Coke was sort of my crutch. It was go-to when I wanted a pick me up or when I wanted a snack but I really wasn’t hungry. Sometimes I just craved it.
I have a few things that worked in my favor when it came to quitting though. One of which is the stomachaches, but the second is, like most soda drinkers, I prefer to drink it a certain way. I know a lot of people really like soda out of the fountain. My preference was always the 20 oz or 16.9 oz plastic bottles. It just tasted better to me out of a plastic bottle (but not the 2 liter bottle). I never really liked Diet Coke in the can. There is a soda machine in the break room of my office that sells cans, but that wasn’t quite as tempting as it would have been if there was a machine that sold bottles.
People told me that it would get easier. And in a way it has. I’m used to drinking water when I’m going out to lunch. I drink tea in the middle of the day now. I don’t think about getting a soda anymore. But there are still times when I want one. When I do, I just think about all those days when I was crouched over in the office bathroom feeling like my stomach was going to explode, all the Pepto-Bismol that I was popping and the craving subsides some.
Have my stomach problems gone away? Not entirely, but they are SO MUCH better. It’s been five months and soon it will be six, and then a year and then drinking soda will just be something that I used do a long time ago.
I’d love to say that I gave it up because it was bad for me, that I didn’t want to put chemicals in my body, but the reason I stopped drinking it was simply because it hurt my stomach. Whatever the reason was, I don’t drink soda anymore and consequently, I’m reaping the health benefits of not being a soda drinker, whatever they may be. While the jury is out to whether or not artificial sweeteners are harmful or not, there is no nutritional value in them whatsoever.
I 100% know the feeling. Artificial sweeteners completely mess with my GI system. I quit soda cold turkey over a year ago, and I don’t have anymore cravings for it. Now if I could only quit the soy lattes. I blame you for that one.
Wow, five months diet coke free is no small feat! That’s actually about how long it’s been since I’ve had anything with fake sweeteners in it (right when I started the 60 day challenge at barre n9ne) and I thought I would MISS splenda in my coffee or in sparkling waters or whatever. But I SO don’t. And it actually is true – I don’t feel munchy as much anymore and I know it’s because I don’t have fake sugar in my system screwing with my body, ya know? Nicely done friend!
That’s so great, Lee! I’m especially glad to hear your stomach is feeling better. Congrats, that takes a lot of self-control!!
I’ve cut WAY back on diet soft drinks– not totally, but now I probably have about 1 every two weeks or so out at a restaurant, as opposed to the 2-3 a DAY I used to drink when we’d keep them in the house. And dude, it is HARD to quit diet soda!!! It was really tough for me, so I know exactly where you’re coming from…but now I feel so much better. It’s hard to quit, but worth it.
Good for you girl! I know how hard quitting dc is! Glad to hear your tummy feels better
Good for you for giving up diet soda! I don’t drink it nearly as much as I used to, but I could probably stand to drink a little less. My brother used to drink a 12 pack of Dr. Pepper a DAY! My mom had to beg him to stop. So much sugar!
Good for you! When I first started teaching I would drink a diet coke every afternoon to help get me through the day. I thought I was doing myself a favor by drinking the diet stuff, but now I cringe thinking about what in was putting in my body.
I had to give up soda when I got sick, but it really does make SUCH a difference. I let myself have a sip every few months, but truly I think if I drank a can I’d feel like death after. It’d be like being an organic vegan and then eating a big mac and fries – my body doesn’t know what to do with it haha.
I think its awesome no matter the reason that you DID it. Going that long with only two and cold turkey is impressive.
Lee, I too struggle with Diet Coke Addiction (DCA). I gave it up for lent and made it all the way to October last year…but like you, a weak moment at a family function late in day pulled me back to the dark side. I’m not ready to give it up cold turkey, but I know I need to cut WAY back.
Glad it’s helping you feel better, Lee!
My husband just recently stopped drinking so much diet dr pepper and has noted that he feels so much better!
It’s so important to listen to your body. If something is making you sick, don’t drink/eat it! That said, I really enjoy my daily Diet Coke (1-2 a day, 3-4 days a week) and while I know it’s not the “best” thing I can drink, I feel like my otherwise awesome diet makes up for it… and if I felt any negative effects (like an upset stomach) I’d give it up. Just being honest…
This is how I used to feel about it too. Like if dc was my biggest vice, Im doing pretty well. Until the stomachaches got worse and worse. It got to the point where I could literally take 3 sips and immediately feel stomach discomfort.
I drik Zevia…that is my go to now. I used to be a big diet coke girl too but Zevia meets my craving. It is still carbonated so that probably wouldn’t work for you but at least it is sweetned with stevia.
Stevia is iffy for me. Some kinds are totally fine but others bother me, primarily Truvia. It’s not as bad of a stomachache as other sweeteners, but it still exists.
That is awesome!!! As Jess said above, giving up fake sweeteners was a good choice for me too. I thought it would be hard, but I don’t even miss it.
I used to be SUCH a diet soda fiend. I never drank coffee, so if I needed a pick-me-up I’d sometimes be chugging a Diet Coke at like, errrr, 9 AM. Whoops! While I don’t abstain completely (sometimes you just want it!) I will say that I do notice the physical effects of consuming them a lot more these days, since I have them so infrequently. Although, it might not be the drink itself, but the fact that when I am partaking it’s usually alongside equally bad and fakey foods (go big or go home, right?) hahaha.
I used to drink it in the morning too.
Diet soda kills my stomach. And gives me a headache. I still drink it anyways. Lame. Good for you for kicking it!!
Very proud of you, Lee.
You should feel proud of yourself for doing this! I have a similar thing with coffee and never realized I was addicted to it until I went a day without it and couldn’t get out of bed! I stopped drinking it for a while and now just make sure I can enjoy a cup but not “need” it.
I am definitely proud of myself.
I gave up soda almost five years ago and haven’t had once since. #ohyes
I drink that stuff like it’s going out of style. Which doesn’t really make sense, because why would people want something that was going out of style? I wish I had something that could MAKE me stop like tummy aches. I do love it and I never drink pop at restaurants (only water) but I make up for that sitting at my desk at work or in front of the TV. I just need to kill artificial sweeteners in general.
The hardest part was sitting at my desk. I really got accustomed to buying a 20 oz soda at lunch and sipping on it for the rest of the day.
Way to go lady!! That’s an awesome thing to be blogging about. And you did it for all the right reasons: the one that made sense for you. And the one that continues to keep it off your radar.