There’s something undeniably satisfying about the crisp sound of a cold can of Diet Coke popping open on a warm day—or any day, for that matter. The caramelized flavor, the tickle of bubbles on my tongue, and that slight burn in the back of my throat—it was a ritual I cherished. And my love for carbonated beverages wasn’t limited to Diet Coke. Lemonade, fizzy orange, Pepsi—I was a connoisseur of all things bubbly. Of course, my dentist always warned me about the dangers of fizzy drinks, even the sugar-free ones, for my teeth. But I brushed it off. No sugar, no harm, right?
I would have happily continued my love affair with fizzy drinks if it wasn’t for my health. When my doctor told me carbonated beverages were on the banned list, along with my beloved morning latte, I was devastated. Determined to improve my health, I reluctantly embraced the restrictions and said goodbye to my fizzy fix. The first week was brutal. I missed the taste, the caffeine kick—it was a real struggle. Little did I know how much caffeine I was actually consuming. According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, a 500ml bottle of Diet Coke packs a whopping 64mg of caffeine. That’s more than a 200ml cup of tea (45mg) or instant coffee (60mg)! When I added up my caffeine intake, including my morning latte, I was shocked to realize I was consuming nearly 200mg per day.
So when the headaches, irritability, and fatigue set in, I knew it was caffeine withdrawal. As Healthline explains, these symptoms can last for two to nine days. Thankfully, after a few days, I started to feel like myself again. It’s been four weeks since my last fizzy drink, and the positive changes in my body have been remarkable. One of the most noticeable differences is my sleep. I’ve always had trouble falling asleep, but now I drift off within minutes. I can’t attribute this solely to ditching fizzy drinks, as I also gave up coffee, but eliminating caffeine altogether seems to have significantly improved my sleep patterns.
Another major change I’ve noticed is the appearance of my teeth. Years of coffee drinking had left a slight yellow tinge on my teeth, but giving up both drinks has made them noticeably whiter. I’ve also found that I crave sugary snacks and treats less. According to a study published in JAMA Network Open, consuming diet sodas and artificial sweeteners might actually increase food cravings in some people. The study suggests that sucralose can trigger an increased appetite and even “brain reward activity,” tricking your brain into thinking you’re hungry after consuming items with artificial sweeteners. While I won’t be reaching for fizzy drinks anytime soon, I understand the challenge of giving up these delicious beverages. Fortunately, there are some wonderful alternatives that satisfy my bubbly cravings. Matcha lattes, peppermint tea, chai lattes and teas, homemade flavored water, smoothies, and juices are all great options to quench my thirst and keep my taste buds happy.
If you’re thinking about giving up fizzy drinks, know that you’re not alone. The journey might be tough, but the rewards are worth it. And remember, there are delicious and healthy alternatives that can help you break free from your bubbly addiction.