Lent is coming up soon and I will be giving up soda for it. And hopefully forever. I'm wondering?!
Answers:
I gave up sodas about 4 years ago because I was going to have surgery and could not have soda after that. I drank 4 or 5 sodas a day (diet ones). I immediately switched to tea, iced or hot. After a couple of days, I was fine. You can do it!
That is a staggering amount of soda to drink in one day! One fifth of that amount a day raises your risk of diabetes by 25%. Drinking 42 oz of soda a day more or less GUARANTEES that you will contract diabetes. It is a wonderful thing that you're quitting, but I truly believe you should go to your doctor and request to be tested for diabetes.
That being said, I'd also advise you to stay away from any drinks containing sugar or sweeteners. Stick with just water if you can. I know you say you dislike tea, but try a few kinds before deciding. White tea and dessert tea are rather sweet, and kombucha is naturally effervescent. Talk to your doctor about more options.
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/die…
I think it's a good idea not to try to substutute anything except water at first. Anything else you try will not satisfy you unless you add so much sugar it may as well be soda.
Once your taste buds have readjusted, try herbal teas-some of them are good even without sugar and most are fine with just a tiny bit.
I am not a vegetarian, but i did give up sodas. I have to tell you there is no comparison. so you have to train your taste buds. Learn to appreciate what other drinks have to offer. It won't be all the sugary syrup, so don't even try to replace it. I say just drink water or club soda for a month or two. then try other juices or any other drink. At least you'll be doing it with a clean palate and you may learn something.
I gave up sodas, and I just drink water instead. It only took a week to get used to, and I feel much better. (no more getting tired in the middle of the day without caffeine).
Smoothies are good, but if you don't like those, you should try mixing drink mix packets with something like Perrier, or other carbonated water.
I quit drinking soda after I had my tonsils out, it tasted like horrible chemicals. That was almost a year ago. I have been drinking crystal lite ice tea.
You could try drinking assorted juices with seltzer in it so it has the carbonation like soda, but a lot healthier!
Mix juice and seltzer water for a spritzer.