I have a problem. It's a problem I've had for about 28 years, and it's a problem that I've tried to solve multiple times. The more I learn about why it's bad, the more I want to stop, but it's just so hard. There's nothing that can make me feel as good as this particular thing.
What is it?
This:
There's mounting evidence that diet sodas (all sodas, really, but I only drink diet ones) are bad for you. It's more than just the artificial sweetener used. When I think about the changes in my eating habits over the past three years or so, I've cut almost all processed foods out of my and my family's diet: I cook at home, we eat fresh fruits and veggies, and I try to buy local when I can. I've eliminated most high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners. My family and I are healthy eaters overall. The one thing I struggle with is cutting the Diet Coke completely.
I know I can do this.
As soon as I finish the Diet Cokes that are in the fridge......
I have cut way back myself. I have one every few days. But nothing quenches my thirst quite like a Diet Coke. Ah...
ReplyDeleteYou can do it! My addiction is regular coke, I feel your pain!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love Diet Coke! I limit myself to two a day. You scare me when you say it's memory-stealing though! Wondering if that is something real or ???
ReplyDeleteYes, you can do it.....if you have changed your diet to less processed food...and eat fruit and vegetables...then you can do this. I tend to drink Coke when I am on a road trip...but only then. You will do it...and really...a little is probably no big deal. Good luck. Jackie http://familytrove.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteWatch an episode of Mad Men (any episode will do) to observe how much they drank and smoked, it will put your can of diet coke in perspective.
ReplyDeleteOh I feel your pain! My addiction is iet mt. Dew...one thing that has really helped is true lemon...this is a dehydrated lemon with no chemicals or sugar, just lemon. They also make an orange and a grapefruit. Just add one packet to a bottle of water and it tastes so good...you will almost not miss the pop ...almost. Gotta be honest!
ReplyDeleteThis was interesting to me as I deal with so many people with various addictions. (Not that your girls aren't VERY interesting to me...I know they're wonderful but I enjoy examples of just how wonderful they are.)
ReplyDelete"I know I'm not alone in my sad, sorry addiction to Diet Coke. ((This justifies the addiction...lots of other people have this problem so it can't be THAT bad))I also know that many people drink way more than I do. ((Again, many people are worse than you...you just have a little problem)) For the past several years, I have limited myself to one a day (most days). ((You barely drink any so you don't really have to give it up...right?))For most of the past 8 months, I had almost given it up completely. ((Again, since you drink so little it's hardly a real problem.)) I have resolved to do it again.... wean myself back off of this chemical-infused memory-stealing siren." ((Yet you know it is really a problem and point out one of the more horrifying side-effects...to a smart person, losing any of their smarts is particularly gruesome.))
I have heard many smokers say these same things, essentially. "I hardly do it, just when I'm out drinking, or maybe 1 or 2 after dinner, my sister's way worse, she smokes over a pack, etc. etc."
My favorite is the older skinny smoker woman who just can't believe how fat everyone has become and thanks heaven that she doesn't have that problem. (Of course, she looks 20 years older than she actually is and has bones so brittle that you can practically hear her crunch as she sits down.)
Also, the comments are so revealing of other addicts. Reassuring you that it's not that bad, there are plenty of worse problems, saying a few slips here and there are OK. Try changing the addiction to alcohol or tobacco and then read the comments with that in mind.
I tell my patients that soda will be the next generation's tobbacco. 50 years ago, your doctor would be lighting your cig for you while you were in the hospital bed. Now, the idea of smoking anywhere near a hospital is anathema. 50 years from now, people will feel the same way about hospitals giving soda to their patients. Horrifying!
Addictions, any and all, are awful because they steal our control over our lives.
You want to quit but you just can't. Your best truest self does not drink diet coke but you just can't always be her.
You are not alone. You are in good company with millions of other junkies. We might not all have the same drug of choice but we all know how dreadful it is to try to quit.
Hi.
My name is Kristen and I'm an addict...