I finally broke my Coca Cola addiction!!

[Three Girls]

I have been Cola-free for three weeks tomorrow! Three weeks ago today, as I was gulping down the last can of Coke in the house, I just decided that is it. I have had it. Cola will not control me anymore. I was drinking 5 - 6 cans a day! Along with Coke,

I also decided to give up any caffeinated beverage. Oh . . . the headaches were awful for about a week, but then they went away. I am so glad that I percevered.

A friend of mine had told me that for her it was the carbonation that she wanted, so she suggested mixing a heaping tablespoon of 100% juice concentrate with salt-free seltzer. I am quite happy! I lite the Welch's white grape & peach (or raspberry) mixed with lemon lime seltzer.

Anyway, horray for ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Mel

[seestorcoo]

Congratulations! I am fully aware of the evils of caffeine addiction and I applaud you!
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If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits.

www.thefeetinmyshoes.blogspot.com

[SandraK]

Congratulations! You have a right to be proud!
I also had a six-pack a day habit.. and I am surprised that the carbonation in club soda or seltzer water is satisfying to me now. I may occasionally squirt a bit of lime juice in the can, but for the most part I drink it plain. (I was going to ask if that is a problem because I have never seen it mentioned here before.)

[f1jim]

Any low sodium sparkling water is now my drink of choice. I think it's the carbonation that works for me.
f1jim
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While adopting this diet and lifestyle program I have reversed my heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, and lost 54 lbs. You can follow my story at http://www.drmcdougall.com/star.html Scroll to James Brown

[Clary]

Congratulations Three Girls!

I keep a stash of "Sam's Choice" brand Sodium Free Seltzer on hand for when I get the carbonated craving. I can drink it plain, or sometimes I add a little fresh lemon juice.

Ingredients: carbonated water
Sodium content: 0 mg
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"You can't change the fruit without changing the root." --Stephen R. Covey

[Three Girls]

Thanks, everyone, for your posts! I am still concerned that my sugar intake is too high with the juice concentrate. I have been drinking about3 or 4 glasses a day - much better than 6 cans of Coke; nevertheless, I still think I should cut down. I just don't think I can drink the flavored seltzer alone. The flavor is just not intense enough for me. How much sugar is the ideal on a daily basis?
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Mel

[sigma957]

Congratulations! I gave up all diet drinks and all colas 3 years ago now. I feel much better knowing I'm not putting nasty stuff in my body.

Keep up the good work!
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You must believe that you are worth the trouble.
When you stumble, make it part of the dance!
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

[SarahJ]

Good Going! I used to have a bad chocolate habit. When I gave that up, I noticed that my moods became a lot more even. I became a lot easier to get along with.

Sarah

[txveggie]

Good for you!

[glook]

Congrats!

I have about 3 cans of Zevia a week.

http://www.zevia.com/
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glook

[Three Girls]

Thanks, Glook, for the Zevia link.
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Mel

[dlb]

Mel -

Congratulations! Doesn't it feel wonderful to be free .

As for the juice, if you are doing a tablespoon 4 xs a day that would be equal to 2 ounces of juice or 40 calories total for the white grape/peach juice you mentioned.

According to Jeff:

My general recommendation, which is in the talk I give at the McDougall Program is that refined calorie sweeteners should not make up more than 5% of your calories. On a 2000 calorie diet, that is 100 calories. Most of the caloric sweeteners are about 50 calories per TB (Agave is 60), so this equates to about 2 TB per day. Fruit juice concentrate is about 25 calories per TB, so it would be around 4 TB if that is your choice.

What you are using in not a concentrate so it is lower in calories per tablespoon.

You can read the whole thread here:

http://www.drmcdougall.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5666

Enjoy!

Donna
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To read how the McDougall Program helped me reach my goals, go here:

http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/donna_byrnes.html

[Three Girls]

Thanks, Donna! That is very useful info!
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Mel

[Vibrant]

If anyone in my home wants a Coke they have to make a special trip for it. For the past several months we've been drinking La Croix water. Fruit flavors with zero yukky stuff. We prefer the lime and orange flavors.
I used to buy it at Whole Foods but discovered most of the supermarkets carry it for much less $$$
Vib

[DWerth]