I need to stop drinking soda, but I can't make myself do it for health reasons

[LucyParsons]

Please tell me some of the evil bullshit that Coca-Cola Co. has gotten up to, so I can stop drinking their shit for ethical reasons.

I'm serious.

I am especially addicted to Dr Pepper, so any nefarious bullshit related to Cadbury-Schweppes is doubly appreciated.

[Dora]

1. Can the Coke. Keep the Dr. Pepper.

Stop drinking Coke and any other sodas containing HFCS. That's a good enough reason right there.

You can continue drinking Dr. Pepper if you buy the variety that was bottled in Dublin, TX. They use cane sugar instead of HFCS. http://www.dublindrpepper.com/ I bet you can find it at Whole Foods, but it may demand a road trip.

You're also supporting local/TX business if you buy the Dublin Dr. Pepper.

:thumbsup:

[Maraya1969]

3. HFCS = High Fructose Corn Syrup

I had to look it up so I figured I'd share.

[LucyParsons]

5. Yes, I do get that stuff when I can

It tastes like the Dr Pepper I finally got used to when I lived in the UK. I actually prefer the HFCS stuff. Haha!

[TZ]

2. Well this is more scientific than political...

but Coke has a pH of about 3.2..thats as strong as diluted Hydrochloric acid (as opposed to water which is 7)..So think about what that does to your teeth. Does that help?

[Maraya1969]

4. There are a lot of natural soda's out there now. They are more expensive

but I find I drink a lot less, probably because they are not filled with sugar.

OR Plain old seltzer water with no additives and a little bit of organic juice is eco friendlier I think.

[LucyParsons]

6. I should try that

Make my own flavor, and all.

[Flaxbee]

7. yup - I was going to suggest trying to wean off soda via

Perrier (no calories, if that is a concern to the OP) with a little orange juice or apple juice or cranberry juice or .... (fill in the blank). Just make sure the juice is NOT made with high fructose corn syrup. A lot of the juices in the juice aisle now are made with HFCS. As are a lot of salad dressings, I discovered the other day.

Minute Maid now bottles lemonade, too - and last time I checked, it didn't have HFCS. It's a nice alternative to heavy sodas in warmer weather, and it might be a way you can reduce your soda intake.

[Captain Angry]

8. I have the same addiction (affliction?)

My only vice is Coca-Cola. I'm down to once/twice a week now, but I love a good fountain Coke. I never drink from cans/bottles, but if I can get a tall fountain Coke, I'm lovin' life.

I drink Dr. Pepper when I can't get a Coke on those few occasions.

I'm afraid that if I can't stop eating beef/chicken, knowing how that industry works, unless they tell me that Coke is made from ground up children or something, I'm stuck with it for now.

[hobbit709]

9. I just drink carbonated water with a splash of lemon juice in it.

Occasionally I add a little raspberry syrup.

[JanMichael]

10. Coke distributers in S. America have murdered union activists.

Fanta was developed in Nazi Germany.

[unpossibles]

11. we started buying carbonated water and Torini syrups

the syrups are sweetened with cane sugar, and you can make the sodas not as sweet (commercial sodas are too sweet, imo, unless they have booze in them), and can make whatever flavor you want. You can buy the syrups at most liquor stores and at World Market and other places which have fancy coffee/drink supplies.

[LucyParsons]

13. Awesome - fancy.

Thanks.

[unpossibles]

15. fancy and easy and vegan!

I forget the exact price, but the syrups are around $5 I think, but last a long time. I like mixing them too - a shot of cherry, a shot of vanilla, and a shot of cinnamon (or whatever floats your boat).

[LucyParsons]

16. How'd you know I was vegan?

;)

[LynzM]

12. Two things

1. Rumsfeld was involved in the FDA approval of some of the artificial sweeteners. Look that one up, ugh.

2. Switch to mixing 100% juice with seltzer (or flavored seltzer, or mineral water). Much better for you in most ways, and not contributing to the coke conglomerate, or filling your body with corn syrup.

Aside from that, calculate how much money you'd save by switching to water, or even juice and seltzer. Like anything else, make yourself go 21 days to change the habit and break the addiction. :hug:

[Maraya1969]

14. I like to put a little of this stuff in tonic water.

http://www.angostura.com/

If you don't want to drink it it is good to take a tsp for digestion.

[LisaM]

17. Have you tried to find Mexican coke? Made with real sugar

It tastes great, and an added benefit is that it comes in smaller portions. For some reason, the stores that sell it have to slap a fake label over the top saying it has HFCS, but it doesn't. It will also say "Hecho en Mexico" on it. More places are starting to carry it.


For delicious cane sugar pop (if you can find it, Jones Soda seems to be squeezing it off our shelves) I highly recommend Boylan Bottleworks. http://www.beveragesdirect.com/products/boylans/

[LucyParsons]

18. Yeah, my local grocery carries the Mexican coke (in large bottles)

I'm in Central Texas, so we can get stuff like that. I used to buy those sometimes, figuring they're better than cans of Dr Pepper, though I of course prefer Dr Pepper.