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I Used to Drink Diet Soda Daily — Here’s What I Learned After Cutting Back and What I Drink Now!



Diet sodas and ultra-processed foods: The concerns
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), including diet sodas sweetened with artificial ingredients, have been linked to potential health risks. Although I used to drink diet soda almost daily, I decided to cut back for my long-term health. Dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine highlighted some concerns during a conversation:

1. Health risks of UPFs: UPFs often contain ingredients and processes not found in home cooking. Diet sodas, while marketed as healthier alternatives to sugary drinks, aren't exactly "health drinks."

2. Dental health risks: Diet sodas are acidic, which can harm teeth over time.

3. Gradual reduction is key: Ludlam-Raine suggested cutting back slowly—reducing from daily consumption to just a couple of times per week. She emphasized moderation rather than eliminating them completely.

Inspired by this advice, I decided to reduce my diet soda intake. Here's what I learned during the process.

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1. Healthier drinks can be more expensive
A big part of my habit was convenience: I loved grabbing a cold can of soda after lunch. However, when I switched to healthier options like sparkling water infused with natural fruit juice or herbal teas, I noticed they were generally pricier than diet sodas and often came in smaller quantities.

Still, these alternatives made a difference. Brands like Dash Water, Aqua Libra, Dalston's, and Cawston Press became my go-to options.

2. My tastebuds adjusted over time
At first, fruit-infused sparkling water felt bland compared to the bold sweetness of diet sodas. But over time, I began to enjoy the subtle, natural flavors. Eventually, I even became more sensitive to the artificial taste of diet drinks, making it easier to stick to healthier options.

3. I craved sugary snacks less
While I can't definitively prove the connection, I noticed I craved sweet treats like cookies less often after reducing diet soda. Ludlam-Raine explained that artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose might increase cravings for sugary foods in some people.

When I skipped the diet soda, I found myself reaching for healthier snacks like apples with peanut butter instead. I also avoided the mistake of suppressing hunger with diet sodas, which can disrupt balanced eating habits and lead to overeating later.

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Final thoughts
Reducing my diet soda consumption hasn’t been a perfect journey, but it’s been worthwhile. I feel good knowing I’m making a small but meaningful change for my health by cutting back on UPFs. Plus, discovering new drinks I genuinely enjoy has made the transition easier than I expected.

For anyone looking to reduce their diet soda intake, gradual changes and experimenting with alternatives can make all the difference. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection!

If you find this helpful and want to support me directly, why not ?buymeacoffee.com/Kabir1989 Thanks so much, and good luck!

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