Food & Drink

How To Overcome Soda Drinking Habits

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S ugar: it’s everywhere. Several studies have established just how addictive it can be. This addictiveness is multiplied several times over when the sugar is concentrated in the form of soda pop.

The good news is, learning how to overcome soda drinking habits isn’t exactly rocket science. It’s following through with what you learn and

Why Is Soda Addictive?

Before you try and quit soda, it helps first to know a little about what makes it so addictive in the first place.

Soda is not only loaded with sugar, but also a fizzy drink. The carbonation in soda is a major factor in what makes the drink so addictive. Just the feeling of bubbles on your tongue as you sip a cold beverage can be psychologically addictive as well.

All in all, if you're looking for a replacement for soda, look for one that can replicate either the sweetness, the carbonation, or both.

Alternatives For Soda Addiction

Knowing why soda is addictive in the first place is only the first step. Now that you're aware of the addictive properties of sugar and soda, it's time to look for an alternative to wean yourself off the soda pop.

Here are some alternatives to soda you can try out today:

Ayran

Ayran is a drink of Turkic origin. This yogurt beverage is sold unsweetened and makes for a refreshing and healthy soda alternative.

To make Ayran at home, simply take yogurt and whisk it until thin. Take water equal in volume to the yogurt and incorporate it gradually while mixing. Once the ayran reaches the consistency you desire, let it sit to chill or serve immediately.

Lassi

Lassi is also a dairy beverage that makes for a good soda alternative.

Originally of South Asian origin, lassi, like ayran, is also a mixture of yogurt and water. The difference is that, unlike ayran, lassi can be both sweet and saltish. Additionally, lassi also traditionally includes milk, whereas ayran does not.

Fruit lassi is another popular variant. What better way to beat the summer heat than a nice, cool serving of mango lassi?

Kombucha

The fermented tea that is taking the world by storm, kombucha is another great soda alternative.

Kombucha is a fermented drink; natural processes ferment the sugars and the tea into a sweet, sour, and overall refreshing drink.

A healthy gut microbiome is an experience that most soda drinkers miss out on. Fortunately, kombucha's probiotic properties help with exactly that. No wonder some consider kombucha a superfood these days.

The best part about kombucha? It incorporates both the bubbly carbonation that traditional soda is so well-known for. This carbonation is a byproduct of the fermentation product and gives kombucha that soda-like kick that so many crave!

Water Kefir

Referring both to the fermented grain and the drinks they produce, water kefir, is another naturally fermented drink that packs a carbonated punch.

You can either purchase your own water kefir from a store or ferment some using water kefir grains. Just like kombucha, the drink has great probiotic content. It's great both for your gut microbiome and your body as a whole.

Water kefir is often fruit-infused for additional flavoring. The alcohol content is quite low, unlike kombucha, which can also come in hard varieties with slightly higher alcohol content. Needless to say, don't expect to get drunk even if you have one too many water kefirs!

Next Steps

Once you've selected your soda alternative, it's time to stick to it and gradually phase out drinking soda altogether. You don't have to stick to one or the other; try experimenting with different alternatives and see what works best for you.

Don't feel guilty if you relapse at first and continue drinking soda even if you have an alternative ready. As we said, sugar can be quite addictive; it can take several weeks, months, or even a few years before someone eliminates sugar from their diet completely.

We recommend getting a calendar and keeping track of all the days you consume soda in a month. This will help you measure and quantify your progress in a way that you can easily improve upon in the future.

Try and identify specific triggers that make you crave a soda. Once you're aware of the triggers, you'll have a much easier time controlling your soda addiction.

Conclusion

Finally, lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and eating healthier overall also go a long way in overcoming a soda addiction. Having well-defined health goals will paint a clearer picture of what it is you'd like to achieve by quitting soda. Try and find the inner voice within you that feels bad for drinking soda and genuinely ask yourself first: why am I quitting?

Although the soda alternatives and tips on how to overcome soda drinking habits are by no means exhaustive, they can go a long way towards helping you quit. Just remember: persistence, dedication, and resilience can go a long way in helping you quit soda once and for all!