<p>Carbonated water soda whatever will bloat you. My mom was mixing club soda with wine and she was feeling all puffy and bloated. She stopped the soda and voila no more bloating.</p>
<p>I am reading this tread as my husband drinks a lot of diet coke! At home we only buy caffeine free diet coke, but at work and when we eat out, he drinks caffeinated. When we eat out, he will have his drink refilled 4-6 times at one meal; what he really prefers if the fountain diet coke while out. I don’t think he drinks as much at dinner when we eat at home, but still refills his glass a few time.</p>
<p>I have tried to get him to switch to ice tea, and he does that some, but still drinks way more diet coke than he should. Water would not be an option for him; the only time I see him drink water is to take his meds!</p>
<p>On a side note, my mother was at the cardiologist the other day and he was not happy with her blood pressure; she has been on meds for years for high blood pressure. When she told him that she drank two of the 16oz. bottles of water a day and a cup of tea in the morning, he said that was too much water. Seems the water (or fluids) are contributing to her high blood pressure. My father’s nephrologist also told him not to drink so many liquids as he has kidney disease due to diabetes. My dad was told his kidneys didn’t need any more flushing out! I was always under the impression the more water was good for you, but here are two well respected doctors saying no; I do realize they are saying no to two specific patients, but it still has me wondering.</p>
<p>Oh gosh, this was me!! Cheap seltzer water, orange juice or other juice and lots of ice. Then I worked “down” to flavored seltzer. For me, it’s all about the ice, a nice straw, a gorgeous glass (I have a few that DH gave me just for my fake soda). I do like the seltzer in the can ----- you still get that great noise of the fliptop!</p>
<p>I am still an addict, just with Pepsi Max and Coke Zero. I drink 3-5 a day. You are all inspiring me, so I may try these alternatives as well. I will take a soda over a good glass of wine so it truly is a satisfying vice to me. Has anyone found sparkling iced teas?</p>
<p>Dh bought a Sodastream machine and we use either lime or lemon water and carbonate it. It doesn’t produce as much carbonation as commercial seltzer water. Very refreshing.</p>
<p>Seahorse - re:carbonation. In one of the many times I was swearing off coke, I went the sparkling water route and I couldn’t figure out why I was so bloated. I think everyone is different, but that is not an option for me. Green tea works best. I think I will consider the lots of ice idea.</p>
<p>My addition is regular coke, no diet, no flavorings. I don’t like any kind of diet drinks. Those with sucralose (Splenda) are too sweet and those with other kinds of artificial sweeteners have an aftertaste I don’t like. I don’t like coffee or tea, and I will go in bouts where I drink water, but I don’t like it and it almost never quenches my thirst, esp. if it’s really hot or I have a cold. </p>
<p>However, I’ve tried to limit it in a few of the following ways. I try not to drink it with meals as it’s too easy to down 2-3 (esp. with automatic refills) without realizing it. I try to drink water with meals. I also try to drink water when I’m really thirsty, ie. after exercising. I save the cokes for sipping to enjoy the taste and carbonation. It helps some, but I’m not ready to go cold turkey yet.</p>
<p>OP- I was you. Here is what I do now. 18 months completely off of Diet Coke.</p>
<p>In the morning I put two cups of boiling water in a glass measuring cup, and add 3 bags of green tea, and one bag of peppermint tea. Then I bought a very large, insulated stainless steel water bottle with a built in straw (the straw is part of the addiction). I fill it completely with ice, then pour the hot tea over it. It is immediately cold, and will stay cold all day if I don’t drink it right away. I take it in my car so I don’t pull into a drive through to get a Diet Coke.</p>
<p>Afternoons I do the same with 4 bags of Hibiscus tea (sometimes 2 bags hibiscus, and two bags of blueberry).</p>
<p>For a special treat I have an occasional Zevia (this is a soda sweetened with stevia which I can find in a couple of grocery stores nearby). The cola flavor is not as great as Diet Coke, but the rootbeer and grape are good.</p>
<p>Never cared for colas, but I drink a (12oz not a big bottle) bottle of ginger ale every week or so. The kind I currently drink is so strong I cut it with water. ( or scotch) 
But after hearing about successful experimentation with making their own, I am ready to do the same.
It sounds like fun.
[The</a> Nickel Pincher: Make Your Own Homemade Soda | Rodale News](<a href=“http://www.rodale.com/homemade-soda]The”>http://www.rodale.com/homemade-soda)</p>
<p>I also drink emergen-c ( tangerine)
Or a glass of water with some lemon.</p>
<p>Note: if you’re also a victim of GERD, I’ve read that it helps to cut down on carbonated drinks in general, especially in the evening.</p>
<p>OP here…</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for their feedback and suggestions!</p>
<p>Since I only have one can of diet coke a day at @ 3pm, I’m trying to figure out if I need the caffeine at that hour or just something refreshing to drink.</p>
<p>I will try many of your suggestions and see where it gets me. I have been told that diet coke actually contributes to weight gain. I have gained @ 10 pounds over the last year and a half, but I also attribute that to chocolate and menopause and perhaps diet coke too! (not necessarily in any particular order ;))</p>
<p>I’ll make a special trip to the grocery store and begin trying new healthier options. Thanks again! :)</p>
<p>Probably both.
If you are able to take a break for a few minutes , try either taking a short walk, or resting with your legs above your head ( like against the wall) for at least 5 minutes.
I would start by cutting out one day @ a time.
Ive read that something about the artificial sweetener messes with the bodys ability to regulate hunger.</p>
<p>Chocchip-What a great post. I got the diet coke monkey on my back. The big problem for me is when I’m out and about. Fast food and coke are just so good together, I can’t seem to just drink water. In fact I don’t know how many times I started out with water, but only return to the fountain to pay homage to coke. I try not to drink it on weekends and only one glass at lunch during the week. But that’s as good as I can do. Anyway Good Luck. Keep us posted.</p>
<p>My problem is, every time I see your username, I start craving a nice homebaked chocolate chip cookie (or ten), warm from the oven…even though I’m almost completely off sugar.</p>
<p>I don’t like soda at all, way too sweet. But if I just wanted a refreshing drink, I would try pomegranate juice (pomegranate/blueberry is great too), mixed with sparkling water. That way it is still tasty, but low calorie. I used to substitute that for wine (didn’t quite do the trick).</p>
<p>If you have carb cravings, alpha lipoic supplements, and even chromium supplements are extremely effective. I don’t need chromium anymore (I used to be a serious chocoholic, baked goods person), but if I miss my alpha lipoic supplements, I start to crave again.</p>
<p>For the menopausal/pre-menopausal weight gain, misery, etc…bio-identical hormones. After I started those, I went from 132 to 124lbs with NO life style changes. Just went on a three day hiking trip with my husband, who is seriously fit, and he was a little freaked out that I could keep up with him and have no pain, on a fast paced 11 mile hike, with only 30 minute jogging workout sessions to prepare. My answer—bio-identical hormones, baby! It is a serious cheat.</p>
<p>yalemom15, thanks for sharing your drink (LaCroix coconut flavored sparkling water + 1/2 cup Whole Foods 365 ruby red grapefruit juice). Love tropical drinks. Our Trader Joes sells ruby red grapefruit juice, so I’ll buy it there. I’m hoping to find the coconut flavored La Croix either at Target or Harris Teeter.</p>
<p>^^Ooh, that sounds great! But I might just have to add rum to that coconut water and grapefruit juice.</p>
<p>I read from somewhere that grapefruit juice/grapefruit tends to interfere with some medications.</p>
<p>Yes good point.
[Grapefruit</a> drug interactions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grapefruit_drug_interactions]Grapefruit”>Grapefruit–drug interactions - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>^YES!! Read your labels!</p>
<p>Last spring I was just ready, and you have to be, to make some major lifestyle changes in eating habits. One of the biggest was to eliminate all soda, juice, etc. from my diet. I was a sprite drinker…maybe 2/day. I now drink only water with the exception of one cup of coffee (half-caffine) in the morning with a Tbs of flavored creamer. Everyone has their vice, some people need a single hershey kiss before bed. That’s mine. Personally I think the artificial sweeteners are worse then the real stuff so I won’t go near it. I cut out all processed foods, sugars, junk, and alcohol, etc. Fresh fruits, veggies, grilled chicken, fish, and lots and lots of water. The first six weeks was lousy, I’ll be honest. What I wouldn’t have given for a freaking plate of nachos!! But I stuck with it. I did want to drop some weight, but I wanted to feel better also. I never dreamed I lose the amount I did. That was last April. By August I’d dropped 50lbs and my BMI was 18.5. My cholesterol had dropped 30pts. I have since modified what I eat. If there is a desert I want I certainly have it in moderation. I’ll toss some Sr. Cream on a taco salad without guilt. I’ve found I have to have equal protein/carbs/fat or I feel lousy. Everyone has their best balance. I still drink only water and have no cravings for anything else. Once a month I might have a glass of wine, but I’m a lightweight now so anything more and I’m going to be under the table. I’m also a sucker for Starbucks and will have one once or twice a month tops. Moderation.</p>
<p>Switching to drinking water is one of the single most healthy things you can do for yourself. I have filtered water through the fridge and just refill my water bottle every time I walk by. I always have a water bottle with me now. Wouldn’t you rather eat your calories?</p>
<p>Somebody had a good recipe for sangria on one thread.
Grapefruit juice might be good in that.</p>
<p>I also sometimes drink coconut water. ( not sparkling) It isnt sweet & tastes better than stuff like gatorade for hydration.</p>
<p>But for a late afternoon pickme up, the emergen-c packets have flavor & fizz, plus the vitamins give energy.
[Emergen-C</a>, Vitamin C Supplement](<a href=“http://www.emergenc.com/index.php?mbl_bpass=yes]Emergen-C”>http://www.emergenc.com/index.php?mbl_bpass=yes)</p>