How to Take Carbonated Drinks Out of Your Diet

Wean yourself off of carbonated drinks instead of abruptly cutting them out.

For some, the fizzy nirvana of a carbonated drink is the perfect pick-me-up -- especially if it's caffeinated. Yet, whether you drink sugar-laden soda or a diet version, too much is never healthy. Bloating and weight gain can be side effects of carbonated beverage consumption, which sometimes make people uncomfortable enough to kick the habit. Once you decide to take carbonated drinks out of your diet, it's best not to go cold turkey if you want to taste success. Instead, tell yourself that this will be a gradual process.

Things You'll Need

• Caffeine-free diet drinks
• Black tea
• Green tea
• Water
• Coffee
• Sucralose

Instructions

1. Make up your mind to work toward completely eliminating carbonated drinks from your diet. If you're not fully committed to the goal, it won't work in the long run.

2. Switch to a lesser evil. For instance, if you drink two regular carbonated drinks per day, trade one for a diet, caffeine-free version for three or four days, then trade the other. Caffeine is part of the addiction, and it will take approximately three weeks to kick the addiction, according to Web MD.

3. Eliminate one diet, caffeine-free soda after three or four days and replace it with chilled water with a slice of fresh fruit, green tea, black tea or coffee. Keep drinking the other soda if you wish for three or four days, then make the switch to a non-carbonated beverage.

4. Stock your refrigerator and your workplace with plenty of non-carbonated beverage selections. That way, you won't be tempted by the soda machine.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can't live without caffeine during Step 2, trade a carbonated beverage for black tea or coffee. Use an artificial sweetener such as sucralose if you can't stomach it plain.

• Not a water lover? Non-carbonated drink mixes are available to add to a bottle of water. Low-calorie and no-calorie versions exist.

• Be careful when substituting other beverages for carbonated drinks. For instance, 100 percent fruit juice may have Vitamin C value, but check out the sugar content and calories.

References

• Web MD: How Can I Stop Drinking So Much Soda?