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Stop drinking soda, for (your own) good
By Amanda MacMillan, Health.com
Updated 1328 GMT (2128 HKT) March 27, 2015
Story highlights
Calories in non-diet soda come entirely from added sugar
Diet drinks health risks include tooth decay and bone thinning
Try weaning off soda by cutting with water
(CNN)You know soda's not exactly good for you—but at the same time, it can be hard to resist. Its sweet taste, pleasant fizz, and energizing jolt often seems like just what you need to wash down your dinner, get you through an afternoon slump, or quench your thirst at the movies.
But the more soda you consume (regular or diet), the more hazardous your habit can become. And whether you're a six-pack-a-day drinker or an occasional soft-drink sipper, cutting back can likely have benefits for your weight and your overall health. Here's why you should be drinking less, plus tips on how to make the transition easier.
Why you should quit
Soda can be bad for your bones.
Soda can be bad for your bones.
The biggest risk for regular soda drinkers is the excess calories, says Lona Sandon, RD, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. "The calories in regular soda are coming entirely from added sugar, and you're not getting any value in terms of vitamins or minerals, or even good quality carbohydrates," she says.
But soda may also be causing other types of harm. Studies have shown that its consumption is linked with tooth decay and diabetes, and it also seems to be bad for your bones. "It may have something to do with the phosphorus in soda, or it could be that people are drinking soda instead of other beverages—like milk—that have nutrients necessary for healthy bones," Sandon says.
Related: 14 surprising facts about healthy bones
But what about diet soda?
New study links diet soda to belly fat
New study links diet soda to belly fat 03:36
PLAY VIDEO
Sugar-free sodas may not have any calories, but that doesn't mean they're any good for you. In fact, they may not even help you lose weight. (Research on this topic has been mixed, at best, but several studies have shown that diet soda drinkers are more likely to be overweight or obese than regular soda drinkers.)
Plus, diet drinks have many of the same health risks as regular soft drinks, including tooth decay and bone thinning, and they've also been linked to heart disease and depression in women. Switching to diet sodas may be a smart first step if you're trying to eliminate excess calories, says Sandon, but your best bet is to eventually give them up, too.
Related: 10 reasons to give up diet soda
Wean yourself off slowly
That news may be enough to convince you that you should stop drinking soda, but it could still be easier said than done. "People really can become addicted to soda, so you have to be a realist and not an idealist," says nutritionist Stefanie Sacks, author of the forthcoming book What the Fork Are You Eating?. "I don't recommend going cold turkey; you need to wean yourself off, just like you would anything you've become dependent on."
If you typically drink multiple servings of soda a day, Sacks suggests first cutting back to one a day. Give that two weeks, then switch to three sodas a week. "It gives you a chance to adjust gradually, which should lead to real, sustainable change," says Sacks.
Mix it with water
Sandon also recommends weaning yourself slowly off soda, and sometimes suggests that her clients start drinking half-soda, half-water. "You're automatically drinking less and hydrating and filling up with water, which is a good thing," she says.
But there's an added advantage, as well: "It cuts back on the sweetness you get from soda, which is one of the things people get really used to. If you're drinking less sugar, your taste buds will change and soon you won't need that sweetness anymore."
Related: 10 easy ways to eat less sugar
Start tracking your calories
Adding up calories may curb your soda craving.
Adding up calories may curb your soda craving.
If you're blindly throwing back colas without stopping to think of their impact on your waistline, you could be in for a rude awakening: Each 12-ounce can of Coke, for example, contains 140 calories, while a 20-ounce bottle has 240.
Downloading a calorie-tracking app may help you realize just how much those beverages can affect your daily calorie consumption—as long as you actually log in and record each serving. Instead of pouring yourself refill after refill, start paying attention to how much you're actually drinking; once you do, you may be more willing to cut back.
Do the exercise math
Another way to quantify the calories you're drinking is by thinking about how much exercise it would take to burn them off. In a 2014 Johns Hopkins University study, researchers placed signs in corner stores stating that a 20-ounce bottle of soda would take 5 miles of walking or 50 minutes of jogging to burn off.
These "advertisements" worked: When teenager customers saw these signs, they were more likely to buy a smaller soda, a water, or no drink at all. "When you explain calories in an easily understandable way such as how many miles of walking needed to burn them off, you can encourage behavior change," said the study authors.
Related: 11 ways to stop overeating after your workouts
Switch to unsweetened tea
Need that jolt of caffeine to wake up in the morning? If you're not a coffee drinker, Sandon suggests sipping on unsweetened iced tea instead. "It can be just as refreshing, and there are real health benefits to drinking the phytochemicals in tea," she says.
If you don't like the taste of plain tea, mix in some lemon, mint, or a small amount of sugar or artificial sweetener—at least during your transition-from-soda phase. The important thing is that you're aware of, and in charge of, exactly what's going into your drink and how much is added.
Drink a glass of water first
Whenever the urge to drink a soda hits, fill up a big glass of ice water and finish that first. "A lot of times, people drink soda just because they're bored, or they're thirsty, and that's what's available or that's what they're used to," says Sacks.
If you're still craving a soda after you've downed your H2O, then you can reconsider whether it's really worth it—but chances are your thirst will be quenched and you'll feel satisfied from just the water. (You can make this work while you're out and about, too, by always carrying a bottle of water with you.)
Treat yourself to natural brands
When Sacks has successfully weaned her clients down to just a few sodas a week, she often recommends they switch to a brand with fewer artificial ingredients. "They're more expensive, but you'll be drinking them less often," she says. Sacks likes Grown Up Soda, Santa Cruz Organics, and Blue Sky because they don't contain high-fructose corn syrup or artificial ingredients, and generally contain less sugar than the big brands. "They're an overall healthier choice, especially if you're only drinking them occasionally."
Give seltzer a try
If it's carbonation you crave, try drinking pl
pinions More… Quick Links Photos Weather CNN Mobile Tools & Extras CNN Profiles A-Z CNN ArabicCNN EspañolCNN MexicoCNN FacebookCNN TwitterCNN Google+CNN HeroesImpact Your WorldCNN Freedom Project ISIS Ebola Ukraine North Korea Scenes from the Field Amanpour Fareed Zakaria CNN Freedom Project U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, second left, holds a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, right, over Iran's nuclear program, in Lausanne, Switzerland, Wednesday March 18, 2015. Talks likely to go past deadline Power outage hits much of Turkey; officials won't rule out terrorism Sea dwellers without a state Nigeria votes: Democracy was the real winner Turban-tying contest, camel races and more Football Golf Tennis Motorsport Horse Racing Equestrian Sailing Skiing Andy Murray of GB celebrates his victory over John Isner of US in his Davis Cup Singles match on day three of the Davis Cup World Group, first round match between Great Britain and USA at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland on March 8, 2015. Great Britain beat USA 3-1 to advance to the World Group Quarter-finals. AFP PHOTO / IAN MACNICOL Andy Murray joins exclusive 500 club A drone camera flies in the sky during the Nordic Combined HS100 Normal Hill Ski Jumping team event during the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships at the Lugnet venue on February 22, 2015. A new use for drones? Suarez strike so sweet in El Clasico Cricket World Cup by the numbers Tiger Woods drops out of golf's top 100 Make, Create, Innovate The Art of Movement Tomorrow Transformed Vital Signs Exclusive first look at the new tablet cyborg cockroaches find disaster survivors orig_00002303.jpg Cyborg roaches may help in a disaster 'It's a fight for the wrist' Is that a dog toy ... or a robot spy? NASA's Mars rover celebrates milestone Ones to Watch BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell (C) attends the Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute To Industry Icons honoring Martin Bandier at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell hospitalized Singer Zayn Malik of One Direction, winners of Artist of the Year, Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group and Favorite Pop/Rock Album, poses in the press room at the 2014 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 23, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. New direction? This may be a solo song from Zayn Malik Who's turning 50 in 2015? 'The Wiz' set as NBC's next live musical Angelina Jolie's powerful message for kidsStop drinking soda, for (your own) goodBy Amanda MacMillan, Health.comUpdated 1328 GMT (2128 HKT) March 27, 2015Story highlights Calories in non-diet soda come entirely from added sugar Diet drinks health risks include tooth decay and bone thinning Try weaning off soda by cutting with water(CNN)You know soda's not exactly good for you—but at the same time, it can be hard to resist. Its sweet taste, pleasant fizz, and energizing jolt often seems like just what you need to wash down your dinner, get you through an afternoon slump, or quench your thirst at the movies.But the more soda you consume (regular or diet), the more hazardous your habit can become. And whether you're a six-pack-a-day drinker or an occasional soft-drink sipper, cutting back can likely have benefits for your weight and your overall health. Here's why you should be drinking less, plus tips on how to make the transition easier.Why you should quitSoda can be bad for your bones.Soda can be bad for your bones.The biggest risk for regular soda drinkers is the excess calories, says Lona Sandon, RD, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. "The calories in regular soda are coming entirely from added sugar, and you're not getting any value in terms of vitamins or minerals, or even good quality carbohydrates," she says.But soda may also be causing other types of harm. Studies have shown that its consumption is linked with tooth decay and diabetes, and it also seems to be bad for your bones. "It may have something to do with the phosphorus in soda, or it could be that people are drinking soda instead of other beverages—like milk—that have nutrients necessary for healthy bones," Sandon says.Related: 14 surprising facts about healthy bonesBut what about diet soda?New study links diet soda to belly fatNew study links diet soda to belly fat 03:36PLAY VIDEOSugar-free sodas may not have any calories, but that doesn't mean they're any good for you. In fact, they may not even help you lose weight. (Research on this topic has been mixed, at best, but several studies have shown that diet soda drinkers are more likely to be overweight or obese than regular soda drinkers.)Plus, diet drinks have many of the same health risks as regular soft drinks, including tooth decay and bone thinning, and they've also been linked to heart disease and depression in women. Switching to diet sodas may be a smart first step if you're trying to eliminate excess calories, says Sandon, but your best bet is to eventually give them up, too.Related: 10 reasons to give up diet sodaWean yourself off slowlyThat news may be enough to convince you that you should stop drinking soda, but it could still be easier said than done. "People really can become addicted to soda, so you have to be a realist and not an idealist," says nutritionist Stefanie Sacks, author of the forthcoming book What the Fork Are You Eating?. "I don't recommend going cold turkey; you need to wean yourself off, just like you would anything you've become dependent on."If you typically drink multiple servings of soda a day, Sacks suggests first cutting back to one a day. Give that two weeks, then switch to three sodas a week. "It gives you a chance to adjust gradually, which should lead to real, sustainable change," says Sacks.Mix it with waterSandon also recommends weaning yourself slowly off soda, and sometimes suggests that her clients start drinking half-soda, half-water. "You're automatically drinking less and hydrating and filling up with water, which is a good thing," she says.But there's an added advantage, as well: "It cuts back on the sweetness you get from soda, which is one of the things people get really used to. If you're drinking less sugar, your taste buds will change and soon you won't need that sweetness anymore."Related: 10 easy ways to eat less sugarStart tracking your caloriesAdding up calories may curb your soda craving.Adding up calories may curb your soda craving.If you're blindly throwing back colas without stopping to think of their impact on your waistline, you could be in for a rude awakening: Each 12-ounce can of Coke, for example, contains 140 calories, while a 20-ounce bottle has 240.Downloading a calorie-tracking app may help you realize just how much those beverages can affect your daily calorie consumption—as long as you actually log in and record each serving. Instead of pouring yourself refill after refill, start paying attention to how much you're actually drinking; once you do, you may be more willing to cut back.Do the exercise mathAnother way to quantify the calories you're drinking is by thinking about how much exercise it would take to burn them off. In a 2014 Johns Hopkins University study, researchers placed signs in corner stores stating that a 20-ounce bottle of soda would take 5 miles of walking or 50 minutes of jogging to burn off.These "advertisements" worked: When teenager customers saw these signs, they were more likely to buy a smaller soda, a water, or no drink at all. "When you explain calories in an easily understandable way such as how many miles of walking needed to burn them off, you can encourage behavior change," said the study authors.Related: 11 ways to stop overeating after your workoutsSwitch to unsweetened teaNeed that jolt of caffeine to wake up in the morning? If you're not a coffee drinker, Sandon suggests sipping on unsweetened iced tea instead. "It can be just as refreshing, and there are real health benefits to drinking the phytochemicals in tea," she says.If you don't like the taste of plain tea, mix in some lemon, mint, or a small amount of sugar or artificial sweetener—at least during your transition-from-soda phase. The important thing is that you're aware of, and in charge of, exactly what's going into your drink and how much is added.Drink a glass of water firstWhenever the urge to drink a soda hits, fill up a big glass of ice water and finish that first. "A lot of times, people drink soda just because they're bored, or they're thirsty, and that's what's available or that's what they're used to," says Sacks.If you're still craving a soda after you've downed your H2O, then you can reconsider whether it's really worth it—but chances are your thirst will be quenched and you'll feel satisfied from just the water. (You can make this work while you're out and about, too, by always carrying a bottle of water with you.)Treat yourself to natural brandsWhen Sacks has successfully weaned her clients down to just a few sodas a week, she often recommends they switch to a brand with fewer artificial ingredients. "They're more expensive, but you'll be drinking them less often," she says. Sacks likes Grown Up Soda, Santa Cruz Organics, and Blue Sky because they don't contain high-fructose corn syrup or artificial ingredients, and generally contain less sugar than the big brands. "They're an overall healthier choice, especially if you're only drinking them occasionally."Give seltzer a tryIf it's carbonation you crave, try drinking pl
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