[nicollem]

I'm a coke zero addict. I hear all these warnings about how it promotes eating more sweets but it Stops me from craving sweets because it satisfies my sweet tooth. But I know it's not healthy so I've limited to one can a day after dinner.

[AngelainVA]

I am addicted to it also. I drink it all day long. But like somebody else already said it's not the best thing for you but it is definitely not the worst. I am going to work on the quality and quantity of food I eat first. Once I get a handle on that and feel comfortable with it I will tackle my diet coke issue.

[AnnieDrews]

I drink caffeine-free Diet Pepsi. I don't look at it as an addiction. But I have reduced the amount I drink each day as I have increased my water consumption. I now have 2 or 3 a day, at most.

One thing that really rubs me the wrong way (and me and fiance have always gotten along very well, RARELY argue) is that my fiance has said, several times, "I really think cutting down on the Diet Pepsi has been the biggest reason you have lost weight." Grrrrrr......he has always thought if I just cut out the soda (I've always drank Diet Pepsi), I would lose weight. I tell him it is probably the eating right and daily exercise. Next time I am going to tell him when he cuts out his daily beer (many) and sweet tea (with sugar)....then he can resume harping about the DIET soda that I drink.

Sorry......rant over.....I return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

[kristen10]

I have to say, reading this thread has made me feel so much better about my own Diet Coke "addiction"! It's nice to know that there are so many of you out there struggling with the same thing. I've gone through a few different cold-turkey periods but have eventually always returned. I wouldn't say I was a heavy user (1-2 bottles a day) but even that much made me feel really guilty - not to mention that when I am "off" DC, I usually lose about 5 pounds through no effort. I have to think it is the artificial sweeteners that make me crave sweets and maybe just knowing that I am being unhealthy subconsciously derails my plan for healthy eating. My suggestions for quitting - just go cold turkey. Keep a running log of how many days you've been off - I always set my Gmail status to "X days Diet Coke free!" so that I feel accountable and I don't want to break my streak. Good luck!

[sept15lija]

I too have a diet coke addiction. My DH gives me such a hard time about it, I figure I'll get calorie counting under control and then work on it. I know I shouldn't drink so much of it but it helps to stay on plan, the flavour makes me feel like I've had a treat. One thing at a time, right?? Maybe my first step will be limiting the number I drink a day.

[SilverLife]

A little reading on the effects of aspartame has helped many to switch to something healthier. It got me off the Diet Dr. Peppers.

I like putting a little frozen apple juice in seltzer water, for something refreshing and fizzy.

All the best to you!

[chnkymonkey]

I'm a diet coke drinker too. But have weaned myself down to just 1 or 2 a day. I don't drink coffee so my morning diet coke is my morning caffeine.

When we were planning an extended day hiking trip and I knew I had to wean myself off diet coke I used the Crystal Light "Focus" packets in a large bottle of water. (the focus has about the same caffeine as a can of diet coke).

I don't like crystal light in its recommended amount, so I always water it down. One packet works in a 32oz water bottle for me. (recommended for a 16oz bottle). Same with gatorade and fruit juices - I usually water those down by 50 - 75%. Just enough to add flavor, but not too strong, and cuts the calories too.

To adjust to water, I would suggest adding lemon, or something to add flavor. Or start with a higher concentration of something like crystal light and eventually water it down till you are more adjusted to drinking water on its own.

At work, our water from the water fountain has a dirty taste to it to me, so if I don't have my brita pitcher with me I will drink watered down crystal light.

If you have a multi-can per day diet coke habit, then cutting cold turkey from dc to nothing will likely induce caffeine withdrawls (headache, fatigue, grumpiness, etc) for a few days to weeks. So weaning yourself down off the caffeine might be worth looking into.