Drinking your calories? Not usually something I like to do. I'd rather eat my calories thank you very much. However if you are trying to ditch a soda habit the number one thing you are going to have to do is substitute it with something else. So make that something else healthy!!
Try these substitutes next time you have a soda craving
Smoothies
These are one of my FAVOURITE snacks! But for the sake of your own goals don't fall into the trap of drinking the sugar laden ones at your local smoothie place. Make them at home. They whip up fast and a jam packed with good things. Be cautious with them still though because when you make them out of fruit you are still getting a high dose of sugar, it's natural sugar of course, but still… To make them creamy add some greek yogurt to balance the sugar with some protein.
Shakeology
This has to be my all time best snack. I am so glad that Shakeology came into my life. Especially the chocolate. Mmmm, chocolate. Who wouldn't want a chocolate shake every single day?? It is low in calories BUT still provides a full profile of vitamins and minerals. I add fruit to the vanilla, I add banana and peanut butter to the chocolate or mint extract to the chocolate as well. So delicious and the best thing on the planet for you. I like to have mine when I start feeling snacky in the evening or need an afternoon pick me up (just like a coke zero used to do for me).
CLICK HERE to learn more about Shakeology or message me
HERE.
Juice
Juice is definitely a tricky one. Can you drink juice for weight loss? Yes. BUT not from the store you can't. If juice is something you would like to replace your soda with then you best invest in a juicer. And ensure that you aren't just juicing fruits. Use carrots, beets, and a variety of greens in your juice. Also adding things like hemp or chia is great as it provides some protein and fat as well. Personally though I don't juice, you are missing out on the valuable fibre, however I know some really enjoy it and at the end of the day it is still better than pop because at least you are
getting some vitamins and minerals.
Tea
Who doesn't love a nice cup of tea in the afternoon? Just watch that you aren't loading up with too milk milk and sugar. If you like it sweet use a natural sweetener like honey. Tea is also becoming quite a craze these days. There are boutique tea shops opening up ALL over the place. It's not the old red rose anymore. There are so many flavours to pick and choose from. Herbals, chocolate, berry, chai, whatever you are craving there is surely a tea for it. Another great benefit is that black teas will help give you that caffeine kick that you are missing from your coke habit.
Water
Water is THE NUMBER ONE substitute for soda. It is zero calories. You can flavour it with lemon or cucumber. You can take it with you anywhere. And ultimately when you are feeling groggy chances are that water is exactly what you need. Most people when they are feeling tired, or headachy, or hungry, chances are they are actually dehydrated. Making sure that you are hydrated will go MILES in helping you quit that habit.
What To Expect
When you are ditching soda you can expect to go through some rough days. Your body will crave it. Your brain will crave it. You can expect to feel groggy without the caffeine. You can expect to feel headachy. That is your body going through withdrawal. You will feel like I won't lie, the first 3-5 days are going to be hardest. But you will emerge from it much clearer.
Go into WITH a plan! Pick from those substitutes and stick to it! Take a calendar. Just like making a meal plan create a drink plan. Whatever you do don't wing it or else those calls from the refrigerator are going to be much harder. Also make it easier on yourself and JUST DON'T BUY IT! If it isn't in your house avoiding it is much much easier.
When the going gets hard...
Look, I know it's hard. I used to a raging coke zero addict. I'm talking like at least 6 cans of it A DAY! At Least. That's 3 1/2 packs a week! Crazy eh? But I did it! And I'm a busy mum of three, so I KNOW that you can do it too. Make a plan for yourself. Use these healthy substitutes. Mark it on a calendar. Bad habits form quickly and good habits form slower but it can happen. They say it takes up to 3 weeks to make a good habit, so mentally prepare yourself for the long haul.
Now I rarely ever drink pop. It is far too sweet and in the diet kinds I can taste the icky fake sweeteners. The only time now I actually do drink it is if I'm having an "adult drink" ;) which isn't very often either.
I know you can do this!! Message me HERE if you'd like more support in ditching YOUR soda habit.
