No, not that coke, the Coke that comes in the red can and at one point came infused with that other coke.
My problem is that I can’t stop drinking it at work. I can go a whole weekend without even thinking about drinking one, I can take a vacation or a long weekend and don’t have a problem, but the second I sit down at my desk on a weekday afternoon I start craving a Coke.
Now I understand the psychology of addiction, it’s about the only thing I remember from my college phsyc class. So I know how to explain my problem… I always used to drink a Coke on weekday afternoons back when I drank soda regularly, and it was the last place I would drink one on a regular basis. Add in the fact it costs a total of $.50 and I have a really hard time fighting the craving.
So I’m looking for advice. How do I cut this last stronghold of caffeinated sugar water from my diet? I’ve tried always having water on hand, I’m not a big tea drinker during the day, and I can’t stand those little Crystal Light flavor packets. I’m at a loss and would love advice.
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I did it exactly 4 years ago next week. I just went cold turkey and put up with the 7 day long migraine. Never went back.
La Croix flavored water rocks! Try the Grapefruit flavor. My fav.
There’s also Zevia at the co-ops which is made from Stevia. It kinda has that fake taste but is better than regular soda.
Those crystal light packets are no good either. They have aspartame in them which causes cancer and other bad stuff.
If you don’t mind getting a little sugar there’s Blue Sky soda which is made from all natural and some varieties are organic sugar and natural flavorings. Way better than the corn syrup found in regular Coke and Pepsi products.
Sometimes it’s the physical action of getting up from your desk, walking to the pop machine, putting in your money, pushing the button, and vending the soda. It’s all about replacing that routine with something else. Maybe get up from your desk, walk to the office fridge and get a better for you bev.
Can u ask the coke distributor peeps to put in a flavored water like La Croix?
I bring a can eacch day to work (because I’m cheap) but that’s down from 2 cans/day a few years ago. I wish I knew an easy way to replace it and can relate to that sort of psychological hold it has. I’ve tried iced tea and it worked for a while.
Try Dr. Pepper, it’s way better.
I would recommend switching to the mini-fridge cans–you know, the shorty soda cans that are like 8 oz? This could help you step down.
I would also recommend (slightly larger investment) mixing half a can of regular with half a can of diet to get you used to less sweetness (it will still be plenty sweet; it’s Coke!). Then step down to diet and seltzer. You can do it!
I’d agree with the cold turkey advice — substituting Coke with anything else that’s sweet is only going to 1. Leave you craving more sweet stuff later on without satisfying and 2. Remind you that Coke is so much better.
One of the most effective forms of behavior modification for me has been to replace one activity with another. So if I usually woke up from a nap craving carbonated crack (a.k.a Coca Cola), I would instead slowly/mindfully drink a glass of water with fresh lemon in it and really smell the citrus (apparently citrus smells help fight cravings). Or whenever you’re jonesing, you could go for a quick walk.
It takes a while for those sugar/soda cravings to clear out, but once your blood sugar is back in balance (and you’re eating plenty of proteins and complex carbs for breakfast and lunch) the mid-afternoon cravings DO go away. And if that isn’t enough to convince you, consider how Coca Cola manipulates prices in India and other impoverished nations so that their soda is cheaper and more accessible than water.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I may try some of the alternative beverages and the walking in combination. I have actually quit cold turkey on several occasions, I don’t get headaches or anything, it’s a comfort thing not a need for caffeine. I think if I mix in other beverages then if I do get a craving I can’t control I can resort to something that doesn’t leave me thinking “yetch” when I see the can sitting there in the morning.
Advice from me on how to kick the habit: Watch Fast Food Nation
What about grabbing some of those flavored carbonated waters like Mendota Springs or H20 or whatnot? Then you get the fizzy without the soft drink thing.
I’m having a late afternoon Diet Coke craving right now, and they’re only 25 cents in my office. Hopefully I can hold out until 5:00, but I hear cans opening all around me.
Ok, I used to have a coke addiction too (the pop, not the drug). What helped me was switching to the mini cans. Eventually, I realized the mini cans are so damn expensive that I wondered why I was buying them at all.
Then I switched to drinking sparkling water. Not cheap, but still gives that carbonation feel. Add cranberry juice or something if you need sweetness.
Also, try slicing cucumbers or oranges to add to your regular water. It helps make it more exciting.
Interesting suggestions Crystal. I may have to try the cucumbers. I’m doing so much better the last few weeks.