Best way end my addiction to diet soda?

I'm hooked on Diet Pepsi. It started about seven years ago when I was on maternity leave. I never used to buy soda at home and would rarely purchase one at work. Right now I have eight cans on my desk waiting to be recycled. That's about three days worth. That's work alone though. There's more at home.

With the recent study on diet soda and metabolic syndrome I think I better take heed even if the study is inconclusive. I already have some factors for metabolic syndrome...high cholesterol, need to lose 15 lbs, high blood pressure etc.

HELP. I know the caffeine will make it difficult to go cold turkey.

Thanks!

Linda Lou...it is the carbonation for me too. Love the burn of an ice cold DP with all those bubbles!!!

My best advise is to just cut back. A good way of doing this is by matching your soda intake with water. When I finish a 20 oz soda I fill the bottle with water and that way I increase my water intake w/o having to give up my diet soda (which I love.) The joy is in the journey.

find something else that you like to drink and drink it with all your might

I have the same addiction. During Lent I gave up diet cola. I allowed myself to drink it only on Sundays. I found myself substituting with Sprite Zero or Diet 7-Up, which have no caffeine and no artificial coloring and no calories. I like the carbonation. It is an addiction and there is nothing in Pepsi or Coke that is good for us. Why can't we be satisfied with good old water?

Try to cut out one can per day and increase it every week. For example, if you drink 5 cans a day now, try going to 4 this week, 3 next week, etc. You'll get pretty bad headaches from the caffeine withdrawal if you try to quit cold turkey. You also have to replace the cans your cutting out (preferably with water). Also, try drinking something else in between sips of your soda, then at least you can spread one can out over a longer period of time.