I quit Pepsi-max for 7 days and this is what happened

For those that know me, I am a self-proclaimed pepsi-max addict. I rationaled this addiction by saying ‘oh there’s worse things I could do’ or ‘at least I don’t smoke’, and I’m sure if you’re someone who has a similar vice like mine...these excuses would be super familiar to you!

Even when swapping to ‘clean’ diets or introducing a paleo inspired diet plan into my daily life, I would still allow myself the liquid goods as I believed eating healthy and also restricting my caffeine and sugar free sweetness feens would be too much craziness for my body to handle.

My pepsi addiction started in high school where I would be a regular at the school vending machine, come home to the sweet crunch of the in-built can opener doing its thing, and for the better part of my senior years, would have a shared locker with my friend dedicated to pepsi-max can storage.

When I read recently that quitting sugar-free soft drinks (with all the hidden nasties that keep you coming back for more) is considered more difficult than quitting illicit drugs like cocaine, I wasn’t even surprised. Its bloody hard! I have tried to stop drinking soft drinks so many times throughout the years that I honestly could not count.

More recently I have started an office admin job where I continue to seek the effects of excess caffeine to get me through the day, so much so that my little desk bin is basically overflowing with aluminum husks, oftentimes with the companion of a bag of potato chips (because pepsi-max and salt n vinegar is the pairing of champions). And guess what? With these husks of shame and guilt, has come an additional 5 kgs, also known as the ‘office 5’.

I decided that enough was enough...so without further ado, I quit drinking pepsi-max 7 days ago. And here is exactly what happened...

Day 1 I stocked up with all things necessary for the coming down effects of the absence of my personal life source. I had an iced latte for breakfast, stocked my desk draw with peppermint and green tea (for healthy caffeine boosts throughout the day), kept a kombucha at the ready for when my body screamed for some bubbly goodness, as well as a litre bottle of pure coconut water to avoid the feeling of dehydration. So yep, safe to say I prepared. As I already drink 2 - 3 litres of water a day, and feel like the only thing that satiates my thirst is pepsi-max, I needed alternatives at the ready. Or so I thought.

Day 1 went quite successfully considering I started it on a work day. I didn’t have any cravings until dinner time. By about 7pm after sitting in traffic for two hours on the way home, not having any food to eat for dinner, I had a lack-of pepsi meltdown. So I took my grumpy withdrawing butt to bed and went to sleep early so I didn’t give in. Trust me, I was about 3 tears away from driving to the nearest servo and buying the whole shelf worth of their cans.

Day 2 I learned more about my addiction, and that it’s not so much my body ‘needs’ the caffeine, but really I’ve just done a really good job at developing a really bad habit. I noticed this when I was putting up the christmas tree with mum after breakfast. I was ready with car keys in hand to go get a can of pepsi max to have while hanging the decorations...because I always drink a can while i put up the tree. Just like I always drink a can when I eat pizza, or when it’s 3pm, or when I’ve had a good day, or a bad day. You get the picture. Instead I opted for an iced latte sans sugar and the craving went away. It got to dinner time and by this point, pepsi-max hadn’t even crossed my mind. Me and my boyfriend went to a friend’s house for homemade pizzas, they were all cracking cans left right and centre, and I didn’t feel like I was missing out whatsoever. I was almost excited like not drinking soft drink was a game, and I was winning.

By day 4 I didn’t even rely on substitutes to get me through my Monday at work. No coconut water, no coffee, no green tea. Translation: I had zero ounces of caffeine. ZERO people. And you know what? I didn’t even notice. I have tried to quit caffeinated drinks so many times, and usually feel like my body is melting in my seat from the lack of energy to the point of drinking anything remotely close to pepsi-max just to revive me...and I didn’t notice I hadn’t had caffeine Monday. Total breakthrough.

By day 7 I started noticing so many awesome benefits, some that are probably TMI but I’m going to share them anyway. Firstly I had a lower craving for sugary AND salty foods. No more chips or chocolate snacks at work, even though my office is riddled with assorted goodies for everyone to take. Even on my paleo diet, I often succumb to the call of our pinata-turned- chocolate haven and have a sneaky crunchie. Without the fake sugary liquid hitting my lips, the thought of these chocolates didn’t float my boat at all.

Secondly I noticed I was drinking even more water than normal, and easily! I try and drink 2-3 litres of water per day but often struggle because I’m usually wasting my precious drinking efforts chugging pepsi-max and other related bad stuff. I always track my water consumption and have been easily reaching 3 litres every day since last week, and even drinking more than that. I have also noticed my pee getting lighter and lighter each day (I warned you) which is a sign that the toxins are being flushed from my body and I’m already getting healthier. Other awesome things I’ve noticed is my dark circles under my eyes have cleared up slightly, and I weirdly enough have more energy throughout my day. I’ve gone from ‘quick high - to plateau - repeat’, to a consistent and comfortable energy level where I feel alert, and my brain even feels less fussy.

I have also been trying to follow a paleo diet as much as possible which would be contributing to feeling great, but I have never felt this good on similar diets before when I have justified having at least one can a day (or more, let’s be honest).

So what can we take from this? There is no need to chase meals, activities and emotions with a sugar-free drink. It has zero nutritional value and only serves the purpose that we attach to it. We have complete control of what we make of it. It does not have to be a vice, a 3pm saviour, life support, celebrator or comforter.

Sugar-free soft drinks - 0, Daina beating the bad habit - 1.

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