by A.C. Turley

Created on: October 04, 2009

With the increasing spotlight on the role of soft drinks in consumers' expanding waistlines and related health problems like Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease, many diehard soda fans like me have actually begun to do the unthinkable: cut back on soft drink consumption. As I once used to quote that a particular soda "was the life source flowing through my veins" this decision was not made lightly. A 2006 study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that 1/3 of all carbohydrate calories in the American diet were from added sweeteners, half of those being in beverages (Consumer Affairs). Many argue that this "liquid candy" is even worse than other sugary treats because the body doesn't register being full with liquids as quickly as with solids. When you consider that people who consume a 150 calorie soda per day are at risk for gaining an extra 15 pounds in a year's time things begin to come into perspective though (Asp, 9). Most of us pay a little more attention to how many other sugary, empty calorie treats we consume, like cookies or candy. When you also factor in that the body's metabolism naturally slows with age, shrinking our capacity to burn off these empty calories, cutting back on habitual soft drink consumption does seem like a smart choice. So, here are some practical steps to breaking that soft drink habit.

1) Commit to Quitting. Just as with any diet change, or addiction break, you have to commit to changing your habit. This cannot be a seasonal change that is forgotten during Monday night football. Part of this commitment is recognizing why decreasing your soda consumption would be a good choice. Do you want to lose weight? Are you a candidate for Diabetes or heart problems and want to decrease your chances? Are your teeth stained or weakening from acid wear on the enamel? Write down your goal somewhere visible, and your target end date (give yourself a few months) and tell your support system of family and friends about your plans.

2) Add Up the Cost. Another incentive for your commitment to reduce your soda intake is examining the money you will save when you cut back on extra soft drinks. If a twelve pack of your favorite beverage, whether Pepsi or Coke, costs $4.59 per box, and you consume three boxes per month, that totals over $165 per year not including taxes. If your family consumes these carbonated beverages as much as you do, this estimated figure can easily double or triple. In your opinion, is that money being well spent?

3) Avoid

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