Can Brain Finally Stop Drinking Pop?

In the very back of my SUV there is a constant reminder of my addiction to pop. That reminder is a six pack of Diet Mountain Dew. Six plastic bottles filled with the juice that used to start my morning nearly every day. It rolls around as I make turns and slams against the back seat when I come to a stop. These noises are a reminder that even though I'm one week into quitting soda, the beast is never far behind.

So what is so bad about diet soda? Well, according to the Mayo Clinic, nothing officially. Switching from a regular soda to a diet one will save you calories and cut out sugar. But that is where the benefits end. There is no proof that switching to a diet soda will help you loose weight, and some of the common ingredients used in these products, such as Aspartame, are being called bad news and possibly linked to some cancers. The bottom line is, if you want a healthier drink, just drop pop.

I dropped the pop about one week ago. I was off last week so I didn't have to get up at 3:30 in the morning like I usually do. I ended up replacing it with things like fruit juices, lemonade, and my go to for caffeine, iced tea. My results? I dropped just over 10 pounds in a little over a week. But I did miss the carbonation that comes with drinking pop. I allowed myself a glass of Diet Sprite over the weekend as a treat to myself. Hey, a guy has to live a little.

So how long will my soda-less streak last this time? Yes, I've tried cutting out the carbonation before, and it hasn't gone well. I'd like to think I know what I'm in for this time, and that I'm mature enough to find healthier choices. But that clunking in the back of my car lets me know to not let my guard down. The Diet Dew knows what I want. It's just a right turn away from reminding me again.