Soda is gross

health soda

Last weekend, I decided to see if I could go a week without soda (or "pop" depending on where you're from). I am happy to report that I made it a full seven days without partaking and, in retrospect, it wasn't all that hard.

During the first couple of days, it was tough. If I felt thirsty, my first response was to reach for a soda. Soda is everywhere, and it's cheap. But where there's soda, there's almost always an alternative. It was easy to order water instead of soda at most places, and even fast food soda fountains have a non-carbonated alternative like HI-C (though admittedly, it may not be that much better for you).

I found that carrying a small (16- to 20-oz) bottle of water in my shoulder bag (aka man purse) was helpful to avoid the temptations of buying soda. The convenience made it easier to quench my thirst when I needed it, and it also appealed to my frugal side by saving me a buck.

A couple of times during the last week I had a dream where I accidentally drank half a glass of soda. Upon realizing my error, I threw the glass across the room and became really disappointed in myself.

By the end of the week, avoiding soda didn't require a second thought.

After the seven days of self-imposed exile, I put an aluminum can to my lips and tasted the forbidden carbonated fruit. I couldn't believe how bad it tasted. It was drinkable, but left a sickeningly sweet coating over the back of my throat, and didn't do anything for my thirst.

The end result of this week is that I probably won't give up soda for good (I really want to try Coke Blak), though I will certainly be cutting back.