ARE YOU STILL DRINKING SODA???

May 19, 2021 | Learning, Nutrition | 0 comments | Author: Zach Bohannon

It is easy to say that many people have tattoos they regret. Perhaps you were “in love” and got your “soul mates” name tattooed on your wrist when you were 18. Or when you were 21 you got your favorite pop-punk bands logo tattooed on you and now you can’t even make it through one of their songs without gagging.

I almost had one of those tattoos.

The Coke logo.

Yup. I was ready to get the logo of the most famous beverage company in the world tattooed on me because I loved it so much. And I figured because I had loved it so much for just over a quarter century, I would always love it.

THE PROBLEM WITH SODA
Nothing used to be able to replace the feeling I got washing down dinner with a Coke or a Sprite Zero. I loved it and felt like I had to have it. I was addicted. It wasn’t until it clicked with me that soda just really had no nutritional value towards my health and I wanted to become healthier that I finally decided it was not worth it and to remove it.

But what’s the big deal with it?

Here are some daunting facts about soda:

1. They contain GE (genetically modified) ingredients, most notably genetically modified high fructose corn syrup and corn starch. In fact, Coca-Cola and Pepsi Co. have both spent MILLIONS of dollars in California, Washington, and Vermont to block GMO labeling laws. If they are so “safe”, then why not just put on the label that they are in there?
2. High volume of sugar. Overeating sugar, by nature, will not only lead to increased waist size as it is, but also will lead to increased appetite and over consuming of food in general especially more high fructose foods.
3. Leading cause of the rise in childhood obesity and diabetes
4. Increases risk of high blood pressure, fatty liver, and metabolic syndrome
5. Zero nutritional value

BUT I ONLY DRINK ONE “EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE” AND I COUNT THE CALORIES
When you say this, how honest are you being with yourself? Exactly how often is every once in a while? If you are having one or two a year, I don’t think it is going to be the end of the world for you even though I personally choose to skip them altogether. But even having a soda once a week “or so” can have an impact on your health. It further increases your dependency on processed, refined sugars and could be causing you to consume more than you might if you just cut it out all the way.

The whole “all calories are the same” approach has never been disproven more than with soda. The calories don’t matter. What do you think has more nutritional value…a can of pop that is 150 calories or a 300 calories avocado? I’ll take the avocado all day long.

Let’s take it a step further. What about diet soda? Again, zero nutritional value and diet sodas have actually been proven to be possibly more dangerous than regular soda due to the artificial sweeteners! Artificial sweeteners have been shown to increase weight gain and increase your dependence on fructose.

A calorie is not just a calorie.

BUT I NEED THE CAFFEINE
If you really just “need” the caffeine, become a tea or coffee drinker. Both of these have a lot of benefits including high amounts of anti-oxidants and will give you the caffeine. I drink a cup of organic coffee with a little raw milk every morning.

WHAT WILL I DRINK IF I DON’T DRINK SODA?
Water. Water. Water. Water. Water.

Get it?

I guarantee you that you will feel more hydrated. I always felt dehydrated when I was a soda addict because I rarely drank water.

If you have trouble with water, infuse it with lemon, strawberries, cucumbers, etc. We keep a pitcher of water in our refrigerator with strawberries soaking in it.

If you really want something sweet, get into juicing. The nutrients along will give you a much greater shot of energy than you will ever get from the caffeine in soda. Trust me. I have tons of energy when I juice. Buying a juicer is one of the best investments you can make for your health.

SO HOW DO I STOP?
I quit cold turkey and I understand this isn’t for everyone. I literally went from drinking 7 cans a day to throwing it all in the trash and not drinking any and that was almost 4 years ago.

If you can’t do that, just start cutting them in half until the are out. If you drink 4 a day, go down to 2. Then to 1. Then out.

I promise it is one of the best things you can do for your health. And I guarantee you that you will see both a difference in how you look and feel.

---

Zach Bohannon is a personal trainer at Life Fitness Academy and also blogs at: www.oncewasfat.com

---