101 Small changes: change 1 – Reduce drinking Soda

I am starting a series of posts about small changes we can make it our life to make our daily living and health improve tenfold. If we try to make huge changes, it is often difficult sustaining it and we have sense of  failure but small changes made slowly becomes habits if done over and over again for 21 days.

These are changes I have made or working on it. Would you like to join with me in this journey?
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If you are heavy soda drinker (drinking 2 can or more per day), let’s reduce soda drinking by 1/2 can only.
Soda without sugar is tiny bit better, not a best solution though, so I would not recommend to drink sugarless soda instead, unless your sugar is high.

If you are occasional and social soda drinker (once in a while) you can reduce by smaller amount, or 100% juice instead. You can replace Juice with water slowly.

Key is to do without feeling deprivation, if you really really want go ahead  and drink it but reduce amount for 1/4 or 1/2. With every step, it will become easier and you may never feel deprived of it.

How do I know? I have been soda free for past 8 years now. As a college student, I was heavy soda drinker, for caffeine to keep me awake to study and work during those hectic days. After college, I slowed down, not by choice but some how looking for job first and working/learning new things at work kept me busy to really think about soda everyday. I became social soda drinker, when I met with friends and I could not eat Pizza without soda, yep I got duped by advertisements. I got cavities and weight gain to prove it, however it did not stop me. I got heartburn often, I did research and try to do cold tofurky to quit soda all at once. I would not recommend it anyone but it has to be done as my digestive system was in such a shot condition. I am in better health condition now than when I was in my early 20s.

What is in soda? The average cola contains carbonated water, caramel color, natural and artificial flavors, caffeine, phosphoric acid and high-fructose corn syrup. Many of these ingredients not to mention high-fructose corn syrup is very unhealthy sweetner.

Reasons to reduce and stop drinking soda:

1. Soda is never “cool”, even though it might be advertised by your favorite sports person, singer, actor.
2. Soda has addictive. Makes you crave more.
3. Can cause weight gain, cavities, diabetes, heart burn.
4. May cause, kidney damage, high BP, liver damage
5. It can cause dehydration, as sugar and caffeine has diuretic effect making one more thirsty.
6. It has no nutrients value, and there are other healthier choices for drinks.

How much soda are you drinking now? Are you willing to reduce a little and make small change in your life to make you feel better?

Zengirl

Other related posts:

101 changes: Change 1- Reduce Drinking Soda

101 changes: Change 2: Getting to email Zen

101 changes: Change 3: Slow down- Slow blogging movement

101 changes: Change 4 – Plant something

101 changes: Change 5 – Smile when you wake up

101 changes: Change 6:: Read a book – Benefits of reading

101 changes: Change 7 – Watch less Television and Be more productive

101 changes: Change 8 – Stretch your comfort zone

101 changes: Change 9:  Drink to your health- Benefits of Drinking Tea

101 changes: Change 10: Bring out the artist in You AKA be creative