Haven't drank soda in 2 years!

[stacheasaurus]

Who else has given up the deadly drink?  For just over 2 years I haven't had a lick of soda. 

[Will]

I can't remember the last time I drank a soda, but I know it has been at least 5 or 6 years since I bought any.

[Bob W]

I'll have an occasional "pop,"  but my wife is totally addicted to Coke Zero.   I'll bet she spends $1,000 on the stuff.  She can't seem to shake it. 

[forummm]

Occasionally I'll have a diet one for a stomach issue. Probably about 5 per year. A couple years ago in Peru I tried an Inca Cola as a cultural experience (it was terrible--I didn't finish it). It's actually a bubble gum flavored gold colored soda that's now owned by Coke.

Other than that I drink tap water.

[Proud Foot]

Other than having one Coke when I was on vacation and a Sprite when I was sick I haven't had one since last October.

[DecD]

Nice!  Keep it up!!

I'm closing in on 7 years.  I happen to remember the occasion- my sister was in town for my son's 1st birthday, so it's easy to remember the anniversary of my last soda.  I'd read some Michael Pollan and decided to try cutting out HFCS, and since I don't enjoy the taste of diet soda, that meant cutting out soda.  I stopped for three weeks.  My sister came in town, we went out for a picnic, and I had a coke with lunch. 

I felt SO INCREDIBLY TERRIBLE that I have never been tempted since.  So- as of next week, I'm soda-free for 7 years.   I can highly recommend it!

[LiveLean]

Used to be a Diet Coke addict -- but 11 years without it. Tough to break the habit, but I've probably saved thousands over the last decade.

After our first child was born I figured I'd be setting a bad example if I drank soda. Today our kids, 12 and 9, don't drink soda.

Last month we had house guests -- kids 13, 11, and 9. Their mom brought and let them drink all of the soda they wanted and couldn't understand why they were bouncing off the walls at 10 p.m. I got the impression this is a daily occurrence.

[lizzzi]

I just lost my taste for it--used to drink diet soda for years, especially in the summer or when at work. (I never liked sugary sodas.) I drink water at home--we all like infused cucumber water--simple but good. When I'm out, I'll usually just get a glass of wine or a selzer with lemon. If I was sick, I would buy some sugary ginger ale, I think.

[Lski'stash]

I gave up pop back in my sophomore year of high school (12 years ago). Now, drinks that are carbonated feel scratchy going down my throat and I'll usually avoid them, whether its pop or carbonated water or an energy drink.

[GuitarStv]

I like to mix 2 parts mostly flat coke and one part water in my second bottle when doing rides over 80 kms.  It's a nice little pick me up.  Other than that though, I don't really touch the stuff.

[Gone Fishing]

Nothing but barley soda for me!

[birdman2003]

Had some Coke while on vacation in Norway back in June, but other than that I've been free since March of this year.  I keep a 1L bottle at my desk and drink lots of water during the day.

[Spruit]

I'm new at the total ban of any soda. Have been gradually downgrading over the last year, but recent dental work pushed me to make a statement: no soda. At all, for unlimited time. Still find it hard to get something other than water, soda or beer to drink when at a party, so that's where I ocassionally screw up. Getting better though!

[Rodgers12]

Who else has given up the deadly drink?  For just over 2 years I haven't had a lick of soda.

That's awesome! I made it one full year as it was a goal I set in 2014. I was in a bad habit of drinking it with every meal and some days I was drinking 3-5 cans :(. I consider myself a very healthy person and am an avid runner. Needless to say I could feel what soda was doing to me so I set my goal and gave it up. First month was the hardest as far as craving it, after that drinking only water became my habit. After the year came up I told myself I would allow myself to treat myself to it every once and awhile. 

[WranglerBowman]

I've only had 4 sodas in the last 13 years, 2 of which were Mountain Dews before major college tests and the other 2 were Ginger Ales or Sprites during winter flu puke festivals.

[Adventine]

I don't remember the last time I actually finished a whole can of soda. Maybe a few sips from someone's glass every few months. I used to love the stuff when I was much heavier, but since changing my lifestyle and losing about 25 pounds, all soda now tastes terrible.

I'd rather have cake or ice cream if I wanted a sugary treat.

[MakingSenseofCents]

I'm not a fan of soda so I hardly ever drink it. I'll have a sip if my husband buys it and I'm thirsty, but I haven't bought any myself in years!

[Dollar Slice]

I drank Coke when I was younger (not a ton, but usually I'd have one with lunch) and quit due to insomnia issues thinking the caffeine might be messing with me. Still can't sleep worth a damn but I never went back on soda. And in more recent years I just switched to drinking water at home and work every day, I just don't buy anything else or keep anything in the fridge except as a very special treat, I might have a lemonade or something.

I started drinking occasional ginger ales last year when I was having pretty bad stomach problems due to a medication side effect, and I would often find myself at social events unable to eat food or consume alcohol. Ginger ale to the rescue.

I also very occasionally have a Coke as a last-ditch migraine medicine - a rush of caffeine and sugar seems to make my brain feel better (my doctor suggested Excedrin Migraine which is essentially Tylenol and caffeine, but I found the caffeine in those was WAY too much for me and made me feel awful).

[EricL]

I'm not a fan of soda so I hardly ever drink it. I'll have a sip if my husband buys it and I'm thirsty, but I haven't bought any myself in years!

That is badass.  I don't normally drink soda and might have matched your record.  But inevitably I go to the theater, wimp out, and "have" to have a Coke with the popcorn. 

I mistakenly left a leaky Pepsi cup on a spray painted metal shelf for two weeks.  It ate a perfect circle in the paint.

[Monkey Uncle]

When I was in college, I pretty much subsisted on Mountain Dew and various forms of ethanol.  But I haven't had soda on a regular basis in more than 25 years.  No big decision to quit, I just didn't really want it any more.  Now on the very rare occasion when I have a soda, usually when I'm really thirsty and that is the only choice available to me, it tastes so sweet I can barely get it down.

Now if I could only reduce my spending on coffee...

[FIRE me]

Who else has given up the deadly drink?  For just over 2 years I haven't had a lick of soda.

Hi, my name is Fire Me and I am a Diet Coke addict. I'm two weeks clean, today.

All kidding aside, I miss the caffeine, but I think that even the diet sodas are bad for the teeth. So I am trying to become a tap water only drinker.

[Dicey]

If you're referring to the brown stuff, bah, I never drink it. I used to love Mountain Dew, but haven't had one in at least twenty years. Man, I can still remember the taste. That's the one I miss...

I do enjoy water with bubbles on occasion, generally with a splash of fresh squeezed lemon. Does that count as soda?

[TheContinentalOp]

Ten years for me.

There were a couple of times I had no other options to drink and I tried a soda, but now I find the sweetness revolting. I don't think I could go back to drinking it even if I wanted to.

[ArcadeStache]

I switched to bringing seltzer with me for lunch, but still have a soda (usually diet) once per week. Got the wife to cut way back too. Eventually we'll give it up completely. I could probably give it up, but my wife refuses to do anything the least bit unconventional like give up shit that is bad for you completely like soda, cable tv, oversized inefficient vehicles, etc.....

[3Mer]

I never buy soda for at home - and haven't for years and years.  I do, however, order a coke if we go out to eat. 

[flamingo25]

I'm 6 months pregnant and haven't touched it since finding out about the baby. Hoping to continue down this path.

[YK-Phil]

Good for you. I am sure you must feel the difference between now and then.

I don't like sugary drinks or juices and only drink water (and wine) but once a year or so, I enjoy a tall glass of ice-cold Perrier with a splash of mint syrup which instantly brings memories of my childhood. We lived in a Provence village when I was a kid, and every sunny Sunday afternoon, we would go to the local bar and sit outside on the terrasse, and this was what my parents would order for my brother and me.

[Adventine]

Good for you. I am sure you must feel the difference between now and then.

I don't like sugary drinks or juices and only drink water (and wine) but once a year or so, I enjoy a tall glass of ice-cold Perrier with a splash of mint syrup which instantly brings memories of my childhood. We lived in a Provence village when I was a kid, and every sunny Sunday afternoon, we would go to the local bar and sit outside on the terrasse, and this was what my parents would order for my brother and me.

That sounds incredibly delicious.

[aceyou]

Every few months I'll mix club soda with tart cherry concentrate and ic before bed.  Normally I'll just warm a glass of water and mix the concentrate in that with a little apple cider vinegar though.  Other than that no pop for me.

[AZDude]

I still drink a soda very rarely, but have given it up for the most part the last four years. Seriously, best decision I have ever made. I just feel healthier. Not to mention the money I have saved over the years.

[I'm a red panda]

I'll have an occasional "pop,"  but my wife is totally addicted to Coke Zero.   I'll bet she spends $1,000 on the stuff.  She can't seem to shake it.

I drink Diet Coke on occasion. Maybe a 12-pack every 2-3 months.
My husband gives me a hard time about the cost.

His drink of choice: Johnny Walker Gold.
Which he has more often than I have soda.

So unless you are only drinking water (and perhaps you are)- I wouldn't be too judgmental about the cost.  (While I certainly won't make the trade, Diet Coke is way less expensive than milk, for instance.)

[Papa Mustache]

Nice!  Keep it up!!

I'm closing in on 7 years.  I happen to remember the occasion- my sister was in town for my son's 1st birthday, so it's easy to remember the anniversary of my last soda.  I'd read some Michael Pollan and decided to try cutting out HFCS, and since I don't enjoy the taste of diet soda, that meant cutting out soda.  I stopped for three weeks.  My sister came in town, we went out for a picnic, and I had a coke with lunch. 

I felt SO INCREDIBLY TERRIBLE that I have never been tempted since.  So- as of next week, I'm soda-free for 7 years.   I can highly recommend it!

Was a big Sprite fan but now it tastes like straight syrup to me. HFCS no longer tastes sweet to me. It tastes a little bitter. Still like a few off the wall sodas occasionally like ginger soda (or ginger ale) or a real cane sugar Coke.

Would be pleased if my sweet tooth faded a little.

[fitfrugalfab]

I've been blessed since I've never really liked soda but my husband loves it and he's managed to go from drinking 3 cans a day to about 3 cans a week. On the days he doesn't have soda he drinks seltzer instead.

[Guses]

I've isolated the aspartame in diet Pop as a trigger for my migraines so I haven't had any in quite a while (both sodas and migraines :) ).

Since I don't want or need extra calories, I don't drink regular either.

I am not missing it that much.

I do enjoy some home made sparkling water though!

*edited for clarity

[Papa Mustache]

LOVE the soda alternatives everyone mentioned. I'm trying all of them eventually.

Less sugar is good. Has given me more energy after consuming less sugar.

Am also searching for a migraine trigger. I think for me it is excessive sugar or carbs in general (cereal, pasta, sweets in general). Used to get frequent headaches on the weekends when I'd eat too much. I don't eat or drink anything with artificial sweeteners so that isn't it for me.

We're all wired a little different I guess.

[jooles]

I've been 100% soda free since 10/12/2012.  Same day I gave up eggs, cheese and meat.  It's been GREAT!

[Bearded Man]

I am amazed that you guys are able to do this. I've weening off it slowly, drinking mostly tap water, gatorade and seltzer water. I hope to ween myself off soda and very limited gatorade in the future. Not only for health but the pocket book and simpler living.

[FIRE Artist]

Congratulations on the 2 years. 

I was majorly addicted to diet coke, then coke zero for 25 years until I went cold turkey last December and gave it up.  I was battling a bout of bronchitis so took some time off work to recouperate, and since I felt like crap anyway, figured it was finally the right time to kick the habit, and suffer through the withdrawal headaches while I was off sick.  Not only haven't I had a soda since then, I haven't had caffeine outside of the occasional headache tablet either. 

[pachnik]

I was addicted to diet Pepsi in my 20's.  in my late 20's I sobered up in a few ways and decided to stop drinking diet pop as well.  I think I drank about a litre per day.  It was so bad, that for a going away party for me from a job I had then, my co-workers made a cake that looked like a Pepsi can.  I weaned myself off it by drinking club soda and Perrier water.  Now I have the odd pop when we are out - maybe a few times a year.  That stuff is really bad for your insides and your teeth. 

[Guses]

That stuff is really bad for your insides and your teeth.

Is it really (not sarcastic)?

It know it is mildly acidic and loaded with sugar (or artificial sweetener) but aside from that, is it really bad for your insides and teeth?

I remember seeing or hearing about how leaving teeth in soda for 24 hours would discolor them, but that would happen with pretty much all colored beverages. It does not accurately represent what happens when one drinks soda.... Or maybe I have been doing it wrong all those years!!!

[FIRE Artist]

Carbonated beverages contribute to acid reflux, as does caffein.  For women, caffein also contributes to the issue of light bladder leaks.  Two things, I would personally like to a avoid if possible, so definitely helped me to decide to not only kick the diet coke habit, but also all caffein. 

[pachnik]

That stuff is really bad for your insides and your teeth.

Is it really (not sarcastic)?

It know it is mildly acidic and loaded with sugar (or artificial sweetener) but aside from that, is it really bad for your insides and teeth?

I remember seeing or hearing about how leaving teeth in soda for 24 hours would discolor them, but that would happen with pretty much all colored beverages. It does not accurately represent what happens when one drinks soda.... Or maybe I have been doing it wrong all those years!!!

IIRC, there is a chemical in caffeinated pop that apparently leaches calcium from your system.  So bad for your bones.  And yes, as you said it stains your teeth and the sugar in it can cause cavities. 

[Regular Guy]

That's pretty good, I have maybe 5 sodas in a year.  My wife on the other hand drinks the stuff non-stop.  I've been trying to kill that bad habit of hers for almost 20 years, and I will keep on trying.  I'm worried less about the waste of money and more about the health issues with long term use and sugar intake.

[dignam]

It's been almost 2 years since I've had a regular (read: sugar loaded) soda.  It was a large reason why I was able to shed almost 20 pounds in that timeframe.  Occasionally I'll have a diet soda, but mostly substitute carbonated water if a purchase is necessary or just tap water.

[Davids]

I should give up drinking diet soda, My habit is not as terribly bad as others but I probably average a 2 liter bottle of it per week since I usually buy one each week per grocery store trip. I like to have a glass or 2 of diet cola with dinner at home.

[spots]

A couple times a year I will have an orangina.  It is the only soda I drink and really enjoy it as a special treat.  I view it like eating a dessert.  Other than that, I can't even remember the last time I had a soda. I do have the occasional homemade lemonade.

[moof]

I am bad.  At work it is 2 cans a day, and I have not managed to shake it.  No desire on weekends, vacation, or evenings.  Something about a cube farm that. Drives me to need the crutch.

[Rocket]

Last soda was from a taco truck that had coke from mexico made with cane sugar.  Was pretty good. That was about a year ago.  Guess I average about 1 a year.  My parents didnt buy it when I was a kid and never got addicted to it.  Guys I work with drink diet soda from 64oz cups all day long.

[MoneyCat]

I do buy dollar 2-liters of caffeine-free Coke Zero to use as mixers with vodka or whiskey, but that's about it for me. Soda is really expensive and offers zero health benefits.

[libertarian4321]

I used to drink gallons of the stuff.  I think I would have had another million if I hadn't spent all that money on flavored water.

Mostly gave it up several years ago, and don't really miss it.  I drink plain water now. 

I will still have a soda on occasion when visiting friends, but never drink the stuff at home.